Field evaluation of a second-generation cytometer UF-100 in diagnosis of acute urinary tract infections in adult patients

AbstractAims The authors evaluated the analytical performance of the Sysmex UF-100 cytometer vs. the diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTI).Methods We considered 2010 subjects, aged between 18 and 78, 870 males and 1140 females. The majority (90.2%) of the samples were voided urine specimens collected by using the midstream technique. Each sample was subjected to microbiological evaluation (culture + residual antibacterial activity), dipstick tests, UF-100 examination and microscopic observation. In order to obtain a final diagnosis of UTI these laboratory results were taken into consideration together with clinical data and patients' characteristics. The analytical performance of the laboratory tests was obtained by adopting this diagnosis as standard practice.Results Out of the total 2010 subjects considered a clinical diagnosis of UTI was obtained in 529 cases (26.32%). The UF-100-based screening had sensitivity, 0.94; specificity, 0.93; positive predictive value, 0.83; negative predictive value, 0.98; and correctly classified incidence, 0.93.Conclusions In our experience the results of the UF-100-based screening show a very good correlation with the diagnosis of acute UTI in adults patients

Stable hepatitis C virus RNA detection by RT-PCR during four days storage

BACKGROUND: Suboptimal specimen processing and storage conditions of samples which contain hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA may result in a decline of HCV RNA concentration or false-negative results in the detection of HCV RNA in serum. We evaluated the stability of HCV RNA in serum and clotted blood samples stored at room temperature or at 4°C for 4 days with the aim of optimizing the standard procedures of processing and storage of samples. METHODS: Blood from five HCV RNA positive patients was collected in tubes with and without separator gel, centrifuged 1 or 6 hours after collection. Samples were then left 6, 24, 48, 72 or 96 h at room temperature (21.5 – 25.4°C) or at 4°C before determining their HCV RNA level using the COBAS AMPLICOR HCV MONITOR Test, vs 2.0 (Roche Diagnostic Systems). RESULTS: The logarithm of the HCV RNA level measurements remained within a 0.3 value of the means for 4 days at both temperatures (room temperature or 4°C). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that blood samples may be collected and aliquoted within 6 h of collection and can be stored at 4°C for 72 hours as proposed by the manufacturer without significant differences in measured HCV RNA level. Our results indicate that lapses in this scheme may still yield reliable results

Evaluation of a multimarkers approach in the diagnosis of heart failure in geriatrics subjects

Background: Heart failure (HF) has been defined a modern pandemic. The complex array of physiologic, psychological, social and health care delivery issues makes it a challenging chronic disease to manage. Our study thus sought to evaluate a multi markers approach in diagnosis of HF. Methods: 68 Italian males with age over 65 years were considered: 25 patients with HF; 18 repeat blood donors and 25 subjects recruited in a medical examination for not competitive sports activities. In these subjects determination of high sensitivity troponin I (HS-TNI), galectin (GAL), cystatin (CYS) and brain natriuretic peptide were performed by using routine methods. Results: Among HF patients with heart failure mean concentration HS-TNI, GAL, CYS and BNP was significantly higher than values observed in blood donors and not competitive sports activities. In this study, for differentiation of HF patients and blood donor or not competitive sports activities subjects, better parameters were GAL (CCI 0.97) and BNP (CCI 0.93). Conclusions: Our study showed the usefulness of a strategy involving multiple biomarkers determination in laboratory diagnosis of heart failure in elderly males

Heart failure in frail elderly resident in a nurse house: Prognostic significance of a multimarker approach

Background: Heart failure (HF) has been defined a modern pandemic. The complex array of physiologic, psychological, social and health care delivery issues makes it a challenging chronic disease to manage. Our study thus aimed to evaluate a multi-marker approach to assess prognosis of HF. Methods: We considered 202 elderly in the nursing home in Chioggia (Venice, Italy). Each subject underwent clinical evaluation, echocardiography, determination of high sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI), galectin-3 (GAL), cystatin C (CYS) and brain natriuretic peptides (BNP) by routine methods. These subjects were followed for 24 months after their inclusion in the study and during this period overall mortality was recorded. Results: After a 24-month follow-up (FU) the overall mortality was 41.6%. In these patients' series raised biomarkers serum concentration constituted a significant hazard ratio: 3.83 for BNP, 3.24 for CYS, 5.65 for GAL and 5,76 for hs-TnI. A poorest prognosis was observed in subjects with raised concentration for multiple biomarkers. Conclusions: In the considered population, BNP, CYS, GAL and hs-TnI were independently associated with higher risk of negative outcome. In addition, according to our experience, the simultaneous dosage of the four considered biomarkers improves the correlation with the prognosis. Further studies in similar populations are needed to confirm our results