scholarly journals Prospective Evaluation of Aspergillus fumigatus-Specific IgG in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience Eschenhagen ◽  
Claudia Grehn ◽  
Carsten Schwarz
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Opportunistic Fungi ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Specific Igg

BackgroundIn Cystic Fibrosis (CF), the airways are often colonized by opportunistic fungi. The most frequently detected mold is Aspergillus fumigatus (Af). Af diseases are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The most common clinical picture caused by Af is allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), triggered by an immunological reaction against Af. Af bronchitis and invasive aspergillosis rarely occur in CF as a result of spore colonization and germination. Since pulmonary mycoses and exacerbations by other pathogens overlap in clinical, radiological, and immunological characteristics, diagnosis still remains a challenge. The search for reliable, widely available biomarkers for Af diseases is therefore still an important task today.ObjectivesAf-specific IgG m3 is broadly available. Sensitivity and specificity data are contradictory and differ depending on the study population. In our prospective study on pulmonary Af diseases in CF, we determined specific IgG m3 in order to test its suitability as a biomarker for acute Af diseases and as a follow-up parameter.MethodsIn this prospective single center study, 109 patients with CF were screened from 2016 to 2019 for Af-associated diseases. According to diagnostic criteria, they were divided into four groups (control, bronchitis, ABPA, pneumonia). The groups were compared with respect to the level of Af-specific IgG (ImmunoCAP Gm3). We performed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine cut-off, sensitivity and specificity. Twenty-one patients could be enrolled for a follow-up examination.ResultsOf the 109 patients, 36 were classified as acute Af-disease (Af bronchitis, ABPA, Af pneumonia). Of these, 21 patients completed follow up-screening. The median Af-specific Gm3 was higher in the acute Af-disease groups. There was a significant difference in Af-specific IgG m3 compared to the control group without acute Af-disease. Overall, there was a large interindividual distribution of Gm3. A cut-off value of 78.05 mg/L for Gm3 was calculated to discriminate controls and patients with ABPA/pneumonia with a specificity of 75% and a sensitivity of 74.6%. The follow up examination of 21 patients showed a decrease of Gm3 in most patients without statistical significance due to the small number of follow up patients.ConclusionAf specific IgG may be a useful biomarker for acute ABPA and Af pneumonia, but not for Af bronchitis in CF. However, due to the large interindividual variability of Gm3, it should only be interpreted alongside other biomarkers. Therefore, due to its broad availability, it could be suitable as a biomarker for ABPA and Af pneumonia in CF, if the results can be supported by a larger multicenter cohort.

A Randomised Controlled Trail of Plasma Exchange in Rapidly Progressive Renal Failure of Myeloma.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 4899-4899
Author(s):  
William F. Clark ◽  
A. Keith Stewart ◽  
Gail A. Rock ◽  
Marion Sternbach ◽  
David M. Sutton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Creatinine ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Plasma Exchange ◽  
Kidney Failure ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Baseline Characteristics

Abstract In myeloma, plasma exchange (PE) has been suggested to prevent rapidly progressive kidney failure by reducing exposure to nephrotoxic light chains. We carried out a randomized controlled multi-centre trial comparing PE or no PE in 104 patients of whom 101 met the inclusion, exclusion criteria and 4 were lost to follow-up. We compared baseline characteristics as well as renal outcomes and performed a futility analysis to determine the sample size necessary for potential statistical significance for the changes noted. Thirty-nine patients were randomized to the control group and 58 to the PE group with a 6-month follow-up. The baseline characteristics of these 2 groups were similar including serum creatinine, dialysis dependence, age, gender, serum calcium, serum albumin, 24 -hour urine for protein levels and Durie-Salmon myeloma staging. Thirteen (33.3%) of the control group and 19 (33.3%) of the PE group died within 6 months of follow up. Ten patients (31%) in the control and 10 patients (21%) in the PE arm were dialysis dependent at 6 months. Seven patients (47%) came off dialysis in the control and 13 patients (59%) in the PE arm with the mean number of dialysis days from 0–6 months being 45.7±67.6 in the control versus 29.2±56.1 in the PE arm at 6 months. The mean serum creatinine in the control group was 314.6±256.1 μmol/L versus 215.4±215.3 μmol/L in the PE group and the composite end point of death, dialysis or serum creatinine >254 μmol/L occurred in 12 (30.8%) in the control and 11 (19.3%) in the PE arm. The futility analysis to indicate the per group sample size necessary to achieve statistical significance at 6 months for the difference we observed was infinite for cumulative mortality, 805 for dialysis dependence, 2418 for coming off dialysis, 321 for number of dialysis days, 132 for creatinine difference of 100 μmol/L and for the composite outcome of death, dialysis or creatinine>354 μmol/L, 737. We did not observe a statistically significant difference in mortality or renal morbidity for PE versus no PE in patients with myeloma and rapidly progressive kidney failure.

scholarly journals Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus-Specific IgG Cut-Offs for the Diagnosis of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Kauser Jabeen ◽  
Joveria Farooqi ◽  
Nousheen Iqbal ◽  
Khalid Wahab ◽  
Muhammad Irfan
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Diagnostic Algorithm ◽  
Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
First Time

Despite a high burden of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) in Pakistan, Aspergillus-specific IgG testing is currently not available. Establishing cut-offs for Aspergillus-specific IgG for CPA diagnosis is crucial due to geographical variation. In settings such as Pakistan, where non-Aspergillus fumigatus (mainly A. flavus) Aspergillus species account for the majority of CPA cases, there is a need to explore additional benefit of Aspergillus flavus-specific IgG detection along with A. fumigatus-specific IgG detection. This study was conducted at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan after ethical approval. Serum for IgG detection were collected after informed consent from healthy controls (n = 21), diseased controls (patients with lung diseases, n = 18), and CPA patients (n = 21). A. fumigatus and A. flavus IgG were detected using Siemens immulite assay. The sensitivity and specificity of A. fumigatus-specific IgG were 80.95% and 82.05%, respectively at a cut-off of 20 mg/L. The sensitivity and specificity of A. flavus-specific IgG were 80.95% and 79.49% at a cut-off of 30 mg/L. We report, for the first time, performance of A. flavus-specific IgG for CPA diagnosis. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the performance of both antigens, it seems contextually relevant to include A. flavus IgG in the CPA diagnostic algorithm in regions with higher non-A. fumigatus CPA infections.

scholarly journals Impact of a nutrition consultation on the rate of high output stoma-related readmission: an ambispective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Moreno Santamaría ◽  
José Javier Arenas Villafranca ◽  
Jimena Abilés ◽  
Francisco Rivas Ruiz ◽  
Pilar Utrilla Navarro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Intestinal Resection ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Stoma Creation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact ◽  
High Output

AbstractThe aims of this study were to assess the impact of a follow-up nutrition consultation for ostomy patients on the rate of high output stoma (HOS)-related readmissions, as well as on the detection of poor nutritional status and their management, and to determine the associated economic impact. A single-centre ambispective cohort study was conducted in which all adult patients undergoing intestinal resection and stoma creation were recruited. Two nutrition consultations were established for early follow-up after hospital discharge and patients were prospectively included. Additionally, a retrospective search was carried out to include a control group. In both groups, a 12-month follow-up was conducted to record readmissions associated with high output stoma. A multivariate logistic regression was performed. Statistical significance level was established at p < 0.05. 170 patients were recruited, 85 patients in each cohort. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were recorded. A significant difference was observed in HOS-related readmissions, with readmission rates of 28.6% vs 10.3% in the retrospective and prospective cohort, respectively. At the first follow-up consultation, 50.5% of patients presented some degree of protein-calorie malnutrition. A statistically significant improvement in nutritional status was observed in the second evaluation. The intervention carried out resulted in a total saving of €24,175. Early follow-up of patients after discharge resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of HOS-related readmissions and allowed to identify a high percentage of patients with malnutrition. The cost analysis showed the process to be a cost-effective improvement.

scholarly journals New Commercially Available IgG Kits and Time-Resolved Fluorometric IgE Assay for Diagnosis of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coralie Barrera ◽  
Bénédicte Richaud-Thiriez ◽  
Steffi Rocchi ◽  
Bénédicte Rognon ◽  
Sandrine Roussel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Specific Ige ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Elisa Kit ◽  
Fungal Allergens ◽  
Specific Igg

ABSTRACTAllergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is difficult to diagnose; diagnosis relies on clinical, radiological, pathological, and serological criteria. Our aim was to assess the performance of two new commercially available kits and a new in-house assay: anAspergillus fumigatusenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG kit (Bordier Affinity Products), anAspergillusWestern blotting IgG kit (LDBio Diagnostics), and a new in-house time-resolved fluorometric IgE assay (dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescent immunoassay, or DELFIA) using recombinant proteins from anAspergillussp. recently developed by our laboratory for ABPA diagnosis in a retrospective study that included 26 cystic fibrosis patients.Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgG levels measured by a commercial ELISA kit were in accordance with the level of precipitins currently used in our lab. The ELISA kit could accelerate and help standardize ABPA diagnosis.Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgE levels measured by ImmunoCAP (Phadia) withA. fumigatusM3 antigen and by DELFIA with a purified protein extract ofA. fumigatuswere significantly correlated (P< 10−6). The results with recombinant antigens glucose-6-phosphate isomerase and mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase were encouraging but must be confirmed with sera from more patients. The DELFIA is an effective tool that can detect specific IgE against more fungal allergens than can be detected with other commercially available tests.

Is Early Cochlear Implant Device Activation Safe for All on-the-Ear and off-the-Ear Sound Processors?

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 279-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merve Ozbal Batuk ◽  
Mehmet Yarali ◽  
Betul Cicek Cinar ◽  
Aysun Parlak Kocabay ◽  
Munir Demir Bajin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Electrode Impedance ◽  
Early Activation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Initial Activation ◽  
The Impact

Background: Cochlear implantation (CI) is an effective treatment option for patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss. When CI first started, it was recommended to wait until at least 4 weeks after the CI surgery for the initial activation because of possible complications. Advances in the surgical techniques and experiences in fitting have made initial activation possible within 24 h. Objectives: To compare the complaints and complications after early activation between behind-the-ear (BTE) and off-the-ear (OTE) sound processors and to show the impact of early activation on the electrode impedance values. Method: CI surgeries performed between March 2013 and July 2018 were retrospectively analyzed from the database. In total, 294 CI users were included in the present study. The impedance measurements were analyzed postoperatively at the initial activation prior to the stimulation, and 4 weeks after the initial activation in the first-month follow-up visit. A customized questionnaire was administered in the first-month follow-up fitting session to caregivers and/or patients who were using CI at least for 6 months. Medical records were also reviewed to identify any postoperative complications. Results: In the early activation group, impedance values were significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.05) at first fitting. At the first-month follow-up, no significant difference was found between the groups (p > 0.05). The most common side effects were reported to be edema (6.1%) and pain (5.7%) in the early activation group. In patients with OTE sound processors, the rate of side effects such as skin infection, wound swelling, skin hyperemia, and pain was higher than in patients with BTE sound processors; however, a statistical significance was only observed in wound swelling (p = 0.005). Selecting the appropriate magnet was defined as a problem for the OTE sound processors during the initial activation. Conclusion: This study revealed that early activation of CI was clinically safe and feasible in patients with BTE sound processors. When using OTE sound processors, the audiologists should be careful during the activation period and inform patients of possible side effects. The first fitting should be delayed for 4 weeks after CI for OTE sound processors. This current study is the first to report this finding with 5 years of experience in a large cohort.

scholarly journals Evaluation of complete blood count parameters in the first trimester: an early indicator of miscarriage?

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
İbrahim Kale ◽  
Çağlar Helvacıoğlu ◽  
Tuğba Erel Muğurtay
Keyword(s):  
Blood Count ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Objective Investigation

Objective. Investigation of the relationship between the first trimester complete blood count parameters and miscarriage. Materials and Methods. The study group consisted of 39 patients who admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of abortus imminens between January 2016 and December 2019, and whose pregnancy ended as miscarriage before the 20th week. The control group consisted of 200 randomly selected healthy pregnant women, with follow-up and delivery in our hospital. Patient information was obtained retrospectively from the hospital records. Results. Age and BMI of both groups were similar. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of basophil, neutrophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelets, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, MPV, Pct and PDW, while leukocyte and neutrophil counts was statistically significantly higher in the miscarriage group (p=0,002, p=0,001, respectively). NLR was statistically higher in the miscarriage group (p=0,005), PLR was also higher in the miscarriage group, but this did not reach statistical significance (p=0,056). Both groups were similar in terms of MLR. Conclusions. High NLR levels obtained from the hemogram results in the first trimester seems to be associated with miscarriage. NLR can be an easy, cheap and useful tool for predicting pregnancy prognosis in patients with abortus imminens.

scholarly journals Effect of nursing telemonitoring on the knowledge of obese women: clinical trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (suppl 3) ◽  
pp. 212-219
Author(s):  
Fernanda Carneiro Mussi ◽  
Catia Suely Palmeira ◽  
Carlos Antonio de Souza Teles Santos ◽  
Armenio Costa Guimarães ◽  
Maria de Lourdes Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Overweight Women ◽  
Intergroup Comparison ◽  
Significant Difference

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the effectiveness of remote monitoring in the knowledge of overweight women. Method: Randomized clinical trial with 101 women, randomly assigned to the control group (CG=50) and to the intervention group (IG=51). The IG received educational intervention over the telephone, during three months and routine follow-up in the service, while the CG only received conventional follow-up. The knowledge was assessed by a specific questionnaire. Data were analyzed by the Robust Linear Regression Model, adopting a statistical significance of 5%. Results: In the intragroup assessment, an increase in the correct answers with a statistically significant difference was observed only for the IG in the domains: “Concept and causes of overweight,” “Complications of overweight” and “Eating habits.” In the intergroup comparison, an increase in the average knowledge was verified in the same domains for the IG (p≤0.005). Conclusion: nursing telemonitoring contributed positively to the improvement of women’s knowledge.

scholarly journals The influence of the Kinesio Taping on selected ultrasonography measurements, and quality of life in patients with rotator cuff lesions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneta Bac ◽  
Magdalena Wróbel ◽  
Katarzyna Ogrodzka-Ciechanowicz ◽  
Edyta Michalik ◽  
Anna Ścisłowska-Czarnecka
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Rotator Cuff ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subacromial Space ◽  
Kinesio Taping ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rotator Cuff Lesions ◽  
Significant Change

Abstract The assessment of the six-week influence of Kinesio Taping combined with a rehabilitation on selected ultrasonography measurements, the level of disability, and the quality of life in patients with rotator cuff lesions. 60 participants were randomly assigned into a taping group (KT combined with a six-week rehabilitating protocol) and a control group (only rehabilitation protocol). In all patients the following assessments were performed twice: USG, UEFI and NHP questionnaires. In the examination of the subacromial space and the subacromial bursa in the taping group, no statistical significance was observed. A statistically significant change in the thickness of the muscles was obtained only for the thickness of the infraspinatus in the taping group. A statistically significant change was obtained in the assessment of tendinopathy only for the supraspinatus muscle in both groups. Within both groups a statistically significant difference was observed in the average UEFI and NHP scores; however, the differences in the scores obtained between the groups were not statistically significant. The use of KT with a rehabilitation program did not yield statistically significantly better results in the improvement of selected shoulder region indicators, the function of the upper limb and the quality of life.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Text Messaging as an Incentive to Maintain Physical Activity after Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6645
Author(s):  
Giulia Foccardi ◽  
Marco Vecchiato ◽  
Daniel Neunhaeuserer ◽  
Michele Mezzaro ◽  
Giulia Quinto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Exercise Testing ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Stand Test ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Significant Difference

Although the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is proven, the need to improve patients’ adherence has emerged. There are only a few studies that have investigated the effect of sending text messages after a CR period to stimulate subjects’ ongoing engagement in regular physical activity (PA). A randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted after CR, sending a daily PA text message reminder to an intervention group (IG), which was compared with a usual care control group (CG) during three months of follow-up. Thirty-two subjects were assessed pre- and post-study intervention with GPAQ, submaximal iso-watt exercise testing, a 30 s sit-to-stand test, a bilateral arm curl test, and a final survey on a seven-point Likert scale. A statistically significant difference in the increase of moderate PA time (Δ 244.7 (95% CI 189.1, 300.4) minutes, p < 0.001) and in the reduction of sedentary behavior time (Δ −77.5 (95% CI 104.9, −50.1) minutes, p = 0.004) was shown when the IG was compared with the CG. This was associated with an improvement in heart rate, blood pressure, and patients’ Borg rating on the category ratio scale 10 (CR10) in iso-watt exercise testing (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, only the IG did not show a worsening of the strength parameters in the follow-up leading to a change of the 30 s sit-to-stand test with a difference of +2.2 (95% CI 1.23, 3.17) repetitions compared to CG (p = 0.03). The telemedical intervention has been appreciated by the IG, whose willingness to continue with regular PA emerged to be superior compared to the CG. Text messages are an effective and inexpensive adjuvant after phase 2 CR that improves adherence to regular PA. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in a larger patient population and in the long term.

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