Евалуација на (1,3)--d-гликан есеј во дијагноза на инвазивни инфекции со Аspergillus

Invasive fungal infections caused by Aspergillus are a significant problem in immunocompromised and critically ill patients and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis is still a big clinical and diagnostic challenge. Conventional methods are not sensitive enough, and therefore, there is a need for rapid, more sensitive methods for early diagnosis of invasive fungal infections with Aspergillus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance, sensitivity and specificity of serological panfungal (1,3)-b-D-glucan marker compared to conventional method for diagnosis of invasive fungal infections with Aspergillus. Material and methods: Specimens of 125 patients divided into 4 groups (group I - immune deficiency, group II - prolonged ICU stay, group III - chronic aspergillosis, group IV - cystic fibrosis), classified according to clinical diagnosis and EORTC/MSG criteria, were analyzed at the Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, with conventional and serological methods, during a period of two years. Results: A total of 71 isolates of Aspergillus were confirmed in this study. Four isolates were recovered from bloodculture of patients with primary immune deficiency. With BAL culture, Aspergillus was detected in the group of chronic aspergillosis (63.33%), followed by the groups of cystic fibrosis (56.67%), primary immune deficiency (51.43%), and the group with prolonged ICU stay (43.33%). Sensitivity and specificity of BAL culture were: 64.29% and 100%, 59.09% and 100%, 54.55% and 12.5%, 100% and 54.17%, in I, II, III and IV group, respectively. In 79.1% (53/67) from positive BAL cultures in all groups, A. fumigatus was confirmed, of which, 32.1% (17/53) in group III, followed by group I – 26.42% (14/53) and group IV – 26.42% (14/53), and 15.1% (8/53) in group II. Other species confirmed in BAL were A. flavus 16.42% (11/67) and A.terreus 4.48% (3/67). Sensitivity and specificity of the serological panfungal (1,3)-b-D-glucan (BDG) marker were: 64.71% and 85.71%, 50% and 87.5%, 36.36% and 50%, in groups I, II and III, respectively. No positive findings of the panfungal (1,3)-b-D-glucan (BDG) marker were found in the group with cystic fibrosis. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study have demonstrated that a positive (1,3)-b-D-glucan assay highlights the value of this test as a diagnostic adjunct in the serodiagnosis of invasive fungal infections with Aspergillus, and along with the results from conventional mycological investigation, helped in reaching a timely antifungal treatment with a favorable clinical outcome.  Инвазивните фунгални инфекции со Aspergillus претставуваат сериозен проблем кај имунокомпромитираните лица и критично болните лица, и се асоцирани со зголемен морбидитет и морталитет. Рана дијагноза на инвазивната аспергилоза е сѐ уште голем клинички и дијагностички предизвик. Конвенционалните методи не се доволно сензитивни, и заради тоа, се наметнува потреба за брзи и посензитивни методи за рана дијагноза на инвазивни фунгални инфекции со Aspergillus. Целта на оваа студија беше да се евалуира дијагностичкиот перформанс, сензитивноста и специфичноста на серолошкиот панфунгален маркер (1,3)-b-D-гликан споредено со конвенционалниот метод за дијагноза на инвазивните фунгални инфекции со Aspergillus. Материјал и методи: Примероци од 125 пациенти, поделени во 4 групи (група I - имун дефицит, група II - пролонгиран престој во ЕИЛ, група III - хронична аспергилоза, група IV - цистична фиброза), и класифицирани според клиничката дијагноза и EORTC/MSG критериумите, беа анализирани на Институтот за микробиологија и паразитологија, со конвенционални и серолошки методи, во тек на две-годишен период. Резултати: Вкупно 71 изолат на Aspergillus беа потврдени во оваа студија. Четири изолати беа докажани во хемокултура, кај пациенти со примарен имун дефицит. Со култура на БАЛ, Aspergillus најчесто беше детектиран во групата на хронична аспергилоза (63,33%), по што следуваа групите со цистична фиброза (56,67%), примарен имун дефицит (51,43%), и групата лица со пролонгиран престој во единиците за интензивно лекување (43,33%). Сензитивноста и специфичноста на културите на БАЛ беа: 64,29% и 100%, 59,09% и 100%, 54,55% и 12,5%, 100% и 54,17%, во I, II, III и IV група, соодветно. Во 79,1% (53/67) од позитивните култури на БАЛ во сите групи, беше докажан A.fumigatus, од кои, 32,1% (17/53) од група III, потоа 26,42 % (14/53) од група I и 26,42% (14/53) од група IV, како и 15,1% (8/53) од група II. Други специеси потврдени во БАЛ беа A.flavus 16,42% (11/67) и A.terreus 4,48% (3/67). Сензитивноста и специфичноста на серолошкиот панфунгален (1,3)-b-D-гликан (BDG) маркер беа: 64,71% и 85,71%, 50% и 87,5%, 36,36% и 50%, во групите I, II и III, соодветно. Не беа детектирани позитивни наоди од панфунгалниот (1,3)-b-D-гликан (BDG) маркер во групата со цистична фиброза. Заклучок: Резултатите од оваа студија покажаа дека позитивен наод на (1,3)-b-D-гликан ја истакнува вредноста на овој тест како дијагностичко надополнување во серодијагнозата на инвазивните фунгални инфекции со Aspergillus, и заедно со резултатите од конвенционалните миколошки испитувања, помагаат во навремена примена на антифунгална терапија, и постигнување поволен клинички исход.

Inequalities in the patterns of dermoscopy use and training across Europe : conclusions of the Eurodermoscopy pan-European survey

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a widely used technique, recommended in clinical practice guidelines worldwide for the early diagnosis of skin cancers. Intra-European disparities are reported for early detection and prognosis of skin cancers, however, no information exists about regional variation in patterns of dermoscopy use across Europe.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the regional differences in patterns of dermoscopy use and training among European dermatologists.MATERIALS & METHODS: An online survey of European-registered dermatologists regarding dermoscopy training, practice and attitudes was established. Answers from Eastern (EE) versus Western European (WE) countries were compared and their correlation with their respective countries' gross domestic product/capita (GDPc) and total and government health expenditure/capita (THEc and GHEc) was analysed.RESULTS: We received 4,049 responses from 14 WE countries and 3,431 from 18 EE countries. A higher proportion of WE respondents reported dermoscopy use (98% vs. 77%, p<0.001) and training during residency (43% vs. 32%) or anytime (96.5% vs. 87.6%) (p<0.001) compared to EE respondents. The main obstacles in dermoscopy use were poor access to dermoscopy equipment in EE and a lack of confidence in one's skills in WE. GDPc, THEc and GHEc correlated with rate of dermoscopy use and dermoscopy training during residency (Spearman rho: 0.5-0.7, p<0.05), and inversely with availability of dermoscopy equipment.CONCLUSION: The rates and patterns of dermoscopy use vary significantly between Western and Eastern Europe, on a background of economic inequality. Regionally adapted interventions to increase access to dermoscopy equipment and training might enhance the use of this technique towards improving the early detection of skin cancers

Dermatologist-like explainable AI enhances trust and confidence in diagnosing melanoma

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) systems have been shown to help dermatologists diagnose melanoma more accurately, however they lack transparency, hindering user acceptance. Explainable AI (XAI) methods can help to increase transparency, yet often lack precise, domain-specific explanations. Moreover, the impact of XAI methods on dermatologists’ decisions has not yet been evaluated. Building upon previous research, we introduce an XAI system that provides precise and domain-specific explanations alongside its differential diagnoses of melanomas and nevi. Through a three-phase study, we assess its impact on dermatologists’ diagnostic accuracy, diagnostic confidence, and trust in the XAI-support. Our results show strong alignment between XAI and dermatologist explanations. We also show that dermatologists’ confidence in their diagnoses, and their trust in the support system significantly increase with XAI compared to conventional AI. This study highlights dermatologists’ willingness to adopt such XAI systems, promoting future use in the clinic