Comparison of different sets of immunological tests to identify treatable immunodeficiencies in adult bronchiectasis patients

BackgroundReported prevalence of immunodeficiencies in bronchiectasis patients is variable depending on the frequency and extent of immunological tests performed. ERS Guidelines recommend a minimum bundle of tests. Broadening the spectrum of immunological tests could increase the number of patients diagnosed with an immunodeficiency and those who could receive specific therapy. The primary objective of the present study was to assess the performance of different sets of immunological tests in diagnosing any, primary, secondary, or treatable immunodeficiencies in adults with bronchiectasis.MethodsAn observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Bronchiectasis Program of the Policlinico University Hospital in Milan, Italy, from September 2016 to June 2019. Adult outpatients with a clinical and radiological diagnosis of bronchiectasis underwent the same immunological screening during the first visit when clinically stable consisting of: complete blood count, IgA, IgG, IgM, IgG subclasses, total IgE, lymphocyte subsets, and HIV antibodies. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of patients with any immunodeficiencies using five different sets of immunological tests.ResultsA total of 401 bronchiectasis patients underwent the immunological screening. A significantly different prevalence of bronchiectasis patients diagnosed with any, primary, or secondary immunodeficiencies was found across different bundles. 44.6% bronchiectasis patients had a diagnosis of immunodeficiency using when IgG subclasses and lymphocyte subset are added to the minimum bundle suggested by the guidelines.ConclusionA 4-fold increase in the diagnosis of immunodeficiencies can be found in adults with bronchiectasis when IgG subclasses and lymphocyte subsets are added to the bundle of tests recommended by guidelines.

Prevention of trichinellosis on fur farms

The purpose of the research is analysing a complex of veterinary and sanitary preventive measures against trichinellosis on fur farms.Materials and methods. The system of measures against trichinellosis is based on creating conditions on fur farms that are aimed at prevention of the invasion, and includes occasional immunological screening of animals, examination of dead animals for trichinellosis and observation of veterinary, sanitary and zootechnical requirements for animal management.Results and discussion. The sero-epizootic monitoring methods of elderly animals implemented on farms based on ELISA and Capillary Ring Precipitin Test allows us to identify infected animals and exclude them from the technology system of maintenance and breeding. The general situation of trichinellosis can be determined by results of studies by a compression or enzyme methods of animal carcasses during the period of mass slaughter for fur.

Epigenetic markers associated with schistosomiasis

Summary It is important to consider the use of the epigenome as source of complementary data for genome knowledge, which is suitable for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Usually, a laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis is performed by means of 1. Egg detection in the stool or urine by microscopy remains with limited sensitivity; 2. Immunological screening, in which positivity persists after treatment, and 3. Molecular appraisals prevail over the disadvantages of the currently used methods. In this sense, molecular methodologies are being developed based on epigenetic biomarkers, aiming to improve the diagnosis of the disease and clinical treatment as early as possible to prevent the occurrence of serious liver damage.

A First Unexplained Invasive Encapsulated Bacterial Infection in Young Adults Associated With High Mortality and Readmission Rates

We find that patients <40 years old with a first invasive encapsulated bacterial infection have a high likelihood of death or readmission within 23 months. It is imperative to highlight them for immunological screening and initiate prophylactic interventions and treatment.

IMMUNOLOGICAL SCREENING OF LEPTOSPIROSIS IN DOGS IN ST. PETERSBURG

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