The lateral flow card test: an alternative method for the detection of Trichinella infection in swine

A novel lateral flow card (TS-Card pork) test was developed for the serological detection of Trichinella infected pigs. Based on extensive studies performed in Romania during 1 999-2000 this test proved to be highly specific, sensitive, rapid (3-12 minutes) and easy to use (no need for laboratory facilities). It can be used both for the detection of Trichinella infection in carcasses and for epizootiological studies using a variety of samples including whole or dried blood, serum, or tissue fluids. The TS-Card pork test, used as a screening test, can be the foundation of an on-farm or field based inspection system to significantly improve food safety in countries with a high prevalence of Trichinella in pigs or other food animal species. The results presented are also promising for application of the test in an on-line laboratory based inspection system since the speed of the test allows sufficient time to rail out suspected hog carcasses during the slaughter process

Association of angiopoietin-2 and dimethylarginines with complicated course in patients with leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is one of the most relevant zoonosis worldwide and a potentially life-threatening infectious disease. While it is frequent in tropic regions, it is uncommon in European industrialized countries. Angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) and asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA and SDMA) are markers of endothelial activation and systemic inflammation. These parameters have been studied recently in the context of sepsis and MODS showing potential to determine disease severity and outcome specific parameters like acute kidney injury (AKI) and survival. These biomarkers were measured in 13 patients with leptospirosis. High levels of Angpt-2 were statistically significant associated with a complicated clinical course with occurrence of AKI, Sepsis and intensive care unit treatment. ADMA was significantly associated with occurrence of AKI and ICU treatment whereas SDMA was associated with AKI. Therefore these endothelial markers may serve as additional tools for risk stratification in these patients

Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes of patients.

¥<p>in days after admission.</p>*<p>in a direct context with the onset of the infection (<3 weeks).</p><p>Abbrevations: CRP = C-reactive protein; ALT = alanine transaminase; CK = creatine kinase; ICU = intensive care unit.</p

Box plots of results in healthy controls and study patients.

<p>Circulating Angpt-2 in septic patients (n = 8) (A), patients with need of intensive care treatment (n = 6) (B) and patients developing AKI (n = 7) (C). Circulating ADMA in septic patients (D), patients with need of intensive care treatment (E) and patients developing AKI (F). Circulating SDMA in septic patients (G), patients with need of intensive care treatment (H) and patients developing AKI (I). (n.s. = not significant, * = p<0.05, ** = p<0.001, *** = p<0.0001).</p

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