46 research outputs found

    Detection of oligoclonal IgG kappa and IgG lambda bands in cerebrospinal fluid and serum with Hevylite™ antibodies. comparison with the free light chain oligoclonal pattern

    Get PDF
    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oligoclonal IgG bands in cerebrospinal fluid that are absent in serum indicate intrathecal IgG synthesis and are a sensitive marker of CNS inflammatory diseases, in particular multiple sclerosis. It may be of interest to determine whether these bands are predominantly IgGκ or IgGλ.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We have used Hevylite™ antibodies and developed a technique for detection of oligoclonal IgGκ and IgGλ bands by means of isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting. The same technique was used for oligoclonal free κ and free λ detection. Among several techniques tested, affinity immunoblotting appears to be the most sensitive; it can detect less than 1 ng of IgGκ or IgGλ paraprotein. We compared oligoclonal IgG profiles with those of oligoclonal IgGκ and IgGλ. There was good agreement concerning the presence or absence of intrathecal synthesis. We observed the ratios between oligoclonal IgGκ and IgGλ bands, and they did not always match the ratios between free κ and free λ bands. We were also able to detect antigen-specific CSF-restricted oligoclonal IgGκ and IgGλ bands in neuroborreliosis. It remains to be determined subsequently by a clinically-oriented prospective study, whether predominant IgGκ/IgGλ or free κ/free λ can be observed more frequently in particular diseases with oligoclonal IgG synthesis.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Very sensitive detection of oligoclonal IgGκ and IgGλ bands in cerebrospinal fluid with Hevylite antibodies is feasible; detection of antigen-specific IgGκ or IgGλ is possible as well. In particular situations, e.g. when difficulties arise in distinguishing between oligoclonal and monoclonal pattern, the test may be of considerable clinical value.</p

    Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Patients with Visceral Leishmaniasis Treated by an MSF Clinic in Bakool Region, Somalia, 2004–2006

    Get PDF
    Our paper describes the epidemiological features of visceral leishmaniasis in the Bakool region, South Central Somalia, over the years 2004 to 2006. Since 2000, Médecins Sans Frontières has been providing care for patients suffering from visceral leishmaniasis in Huddur, located in a region endemic for visceral leishmaniasis. By the end of 2005, we witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of patients admitted to the Huddur centre with visceral leishmaniasis. In our paper, we provide a description of the profile of patients admitted, thus giving an insight into the epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in a part of the world where relatively little has been documented and where the true magnitude of this neglected disease remains unknown

    Diagnostic Accuracy of the Leishmania OligoC-TesT and NASBA-Oligochromatography for Diagnosis of Leishmaniasis in Sudan

    Get PDF
    The leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. The parasites are transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies and can cause, depending on the infecting species, three clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis: visceral leishmaniasis (VL), post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) including the mucocutaneous form. VL, PKDL as well as CL are endemic in several parts of Sudan, and VL especially represents a major health problem in this country. Molecular tests such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or nucleic acid sequence based assay (NASBA) are powerful techniques for accurate detection of the parasite in clinical specimens, but broad use is hampered by their complexity and lack of standardisation. Recently, the Leishmania OligoC-TesT and NASBA-Oligochromatography were developed as simplified and standardised PCR and NASBA formats. In this study, both tests were phase II evaluated for diagnosis of VL, PKDL and CL in Sudan

    Simulation of a queueing problem with balking

    No full text

    Clinical reasoning and decision-making in practice. A patient with oliguria following prostatectomy

    No full text
    A 70-year-old man with clinically localised prostate carcinoma underwent extraperitoneal endoscopic radical prostatectomy. His medical history revealed hypertension, renal colic, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and recurrent deep venous thrombosis in the legs. The operation was uneventful with 500 ml blood loss and no periods of hypotension. The patient developed oliguria within 12 h after surgery. A hypovolemic state was initially suggested to explain the oliguria and increasing amounts of intravenous fluids were administered. The oliguria persisted, however, and the patient did not respond to a diuretic. There was no fluid loss in the drain. Blood pressure, pulse and temperature were normal. Peritonitis and bowel perforation were excluded Ultrasound examination of the bladder and kidneys revealed an empty bladder and no dilatation of the upper urinary tract, which excluded a post-renal obstruction. The clinical situation deteriorated within hours as the patient developed anuria, bowel distension, metabolic acidosis with progressive renal failure and signs of respiratory distress for which mechanical ventilation was needed. A chest X-ray prior to intubation did not show pneumonia or signs indicating pulmonary embolism. CT of the abdomen was performed to evaluate urinary leakage but revealed no fluid collection or urinoma. Thus pre- and post-renal causes of oliguria were excluded. In view of the systemic symptoms, intra-abdominal pressure was measured using a bladder catheter; it varied between 25 and 35 cm water. Together with the clinical situation, a diagnosis of abdominal compartment syndrome was made and coeliotomy was performed immediately. Within 10 min after decompression of the peritoneal cavity, diuresis started spontaneously. Renal function was restored to preoperative levels in 3 weeks. Abdominal compartment syndrome is a potentially life-threatening cause of anuria. The syndrome should be part of the differential diagnosis for patients with postoperative anuria, including those who underwent extraperitoneal minimally invasive procedures.</p

    Klinisch denken en beslissen in de praktijk. Een man met oligurie na een prostaatoperatie

    No full text
    A 70-year-old man with clinically localised prostate carcinoma underwent extraperitoneal endoscopic radical prostatectomy. His medical history revealed hypertension, renal colic, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and recurrent deep venous thrombosis in the legs. The operation was uneventful with 500 ml blood loss and no periods of hypotension. The patient developed oliguria within 12 h after surgery. A hypovolemic state was initially suggested to explain the oliguria and increasing amounts of intravenous fluids were administered. The oliguria persisted, however, and the patient did not respond to a diuretic. There was no fluid loss in the drain. Blood pressure, pulse and temperature were normal. Peritonitis and bowel perforation were excluded Ultrasound examination of the bladder and kidneys revealed an empty bladder and no dilatation of the upper urinary tract, which excluded a post-renal obstruction. The clinical situation deteriorated within hours as the patient developed anuria, bowel distension, metabolic acidosis with progressive renal failure and signs of respiratory distress for which mechanical ventilation was needed. A chest X-ray prior to intubation did not show pneumonia or signs indicating pulmonary embolism. CT of the abdomen was performed to evaluate urinary leakage but revealed no fluid collection or urinoma. Thus pre- and post-renal causes of oliguria were excluded. In view of the systemic symptoms, intra-abdominal pressure was measured using a bladder catheter; it varied between 25 and 35 cm water. Together with the clinical situation, a diagnosis of abdominal compartment syndrome was made and coeliotomy was performed immediately. Within 10 min after decompression of the peritoneal cavity, diuresis started spontaneously. Renal function was restored to preoperative levels in 3 weeks. Abdominal compartment syndrome is a potentially life-threatening cause of anuria. The syndrome should be part of the differential diagnosis for patients with postoperative anuria, including those who underwent extraperitoneal minimally invasive procedures
    corecore