QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test in active tuberculosis patients and healthy adults

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assays have improved latent tuberculosis (TB) detection and have been considered promising for the diagnosis of TB disease. However, diagnosis efficacy data is limited in high burden countries. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic potential of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test for the diagnosis of active TB in an endemic setting for TB. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a group of 102 Thai patients with clinical symptoms and chest x-ray findings suggesting of active pulmonary TB and a group of 112 healthy adults. Testing was carried out using sputum microscopy, mycobacterial culture and QFT-GIT test. Of these patients, QFT-GIT was positive in 73 (71.57%), negative in 27 (26.47%), and undetermined in 2 (1.96%) cases. Among healthy controls, QFT-GIT was positive in 18 (16.07%), negative in 93 (83.04%), and undetermined in 1 (0.89%) person. Based on TB culture results, the sensitivity of QFTGIT for diagnosing active TB was 84.21% (95% confidence interval (CI); 72.13-92.52). The positive and negative predictive values were 65.75% (95% CI; 59.26-71.70) and 66.67% (95% CI; 49.94-80.04), respectively. The median IFN-γ level in culture-confirmed TB patients was 3.91 compared to 0.03 IU/mL of the healthy group. QFT-GIT appears to be a useful indirect test for TB diagnosis in Thailand and its use is recommended in association with clinical and radiological assessments for identifying active or latent TB

Hemoglobin E syndromes in Pakistani population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hemoglobin E is an important hemoglobin variant with a worldwide distribution. A number of hemoglobinopathies have been reported from Pakistan. However a comprehensive description of hemoglobin E syndromes for the country was never made. This study aimed to describe various hemoglobin E disorders based on hematological parameters and chromatography. The sub-aim was to characterize hemoglobin E at molecular level.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a hospital based study conducted prospectively for a period of one year extending from January 1 to December 31, 2008. EDTA blood samples were analyzed for completed blood counts and hemoglobin variants through automated hematology analyzer and Bio-Rad beta thalassaemia short program respectively. Six samples were randomly selected to characterize HbE at molecular level through RFLP-PCR utilizing <it>Mnl</it>I restriction enzyme.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During the study period, 11403 chromatograms were analyzed and Hb E was detected in 41 (or 0.36%) samples. Different hemoglobin E syndromes identified were HbEA (n = 20 or 49%), HbE/β-thalassemia (n = 14 or 34%), HbEE (n = 6 or 15%) and HbE/HbS (n = 1 or 2%). Compound heterozygosity for HbE and beta thalassaemia was found to be the most severely affected phenotype. RFLP-PCR utilizing <it>Mnl</it>I successfully characterized HbE at molecular level in six randomly selected samples.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Various HbE phenotypes are prevalent in Pakistan with HbEA and HbE/β thalassaemia representing the most common syndromes. Chromatography cannot only successfully identify hemoglobin E but also assist in further characterization into its phenotype including compound heterozygosity. Definitive diagnosis of HbE can easily be achieved through RFLP-PCR.</p

Comparison of two dimensional computer codes on the case study of the flow computation of the river Bolska near Gomilsko

V diplomski nalogi so z dvodimenzijskimi programi PCFLOW2D, MIKE 21 ter MIKE Flood izvedeni izračuni z različnimi pretoki za reko Bolsko pri Gomilskem. Na začetku sta opisana vodotoka Bolska in Trnavca ter računsko območje, ki je bilo modelirano. Izveden je bil tudi terenski ogled območja, da se je nato lažje določilo različne koeficiente. V nadaljevanju so opisane teoretične osnove računanja pri uporabljenih programih ter priprava računskega modela za posamezne programe. Na podlagi zahtevnosti vnosa računskega modela ter dobljenih rezultatov so na koncu podane prednosti in slabosti posameznih programov ter analizirane razlike v izračunanih poljih hitrosti in globinah.In this diploma thesis, I carried out calculations of various flows for the Bolska river below the town of Gomilsko by two-dimensional programmes PCFLOW 2D, MIKE 21, and MIKE Flood. In the beginning, the Bolska and Trnavca watershed and modelled calculation domain are described. I also performed site surveys of the area in order to define various coefficients more effectively. Moreover, the background of the calculation of specific programmes and the preparation of the calculation model for individual programme is briefly described. Based on the complexity of the input of the calculation model and the obtained results, I finally set out the advantages and weaknesses of each programme and analysed the differences of calculated velocity fields and water depths

Long-term circulation of Zika virus in Thailand: an observational study

BACKGROUND:Little is known about the historical and current risk of Zika virus infection in southeast Asia, where the mosquito vector is widespread and other arboviruses circulate endemically. Centralised Zika virus surveillance began in Thailand in January, 2016. We assessed the long-term circulation of Zika virus in Thailand. METHODS:In this observational study, we analysed data from individuals with suspected Zika virus infection who presented at hospitals throughout the country and had biological samples (serum, plasma, or urine) tested for confirmation with PCR at the National Institute of Health laboratories in Bangkok. We analysed the spatial and age distribution of cases, and constructed time-resolved phylogenetic trees using genomes from Thailand and elsewhere to estimate when Zika virus was first introduced. FINDINGS:Of the 3089 samples from 1717 symptomatic individuals tested between January, 2016, and December, 2017, 368 were confirmed to have Zika virus infection. Cases of Zika virus infection were reported throughout the year, and from 29 of the 76 Thai provinces. Individuals had 2·8 times (95% CI 2·3-3·6) the odds of testing positive for Zika virus infection if they came from the same district and were sick within the same year of a person with a confirmed infection relative to the odds of testing positive anywhere, consistent with focal transmission. The probability of cases being younger than 10 years was 0·99 times (0·72-1·30) the probability of being that age in the underlying population. This probability rose to 1·62 (1·33-1·92) among those aged 21-30 years and fell to 0·53 (0·40-0·66) for those older than 50 years. This age distribution is consistent with that observed in the Zika virus epidemic in Colombia. Phylogenetic reconstructions suggest persistent circulation within Thailand since at least 2002. INTERPRETATION:Our evidence shows that Zika virus has circulated at a low but sustained level for at least 16 years, suggesting that Zika virus can adapt to persistent endemic transmission. Health systems need to adapt to cope with regular occurrences of the severe complications associated with infection. FUNDING:European Research Council, National Science Foundation, and National Institutes of Health