Diagnostic Utility of Adenosine deaminase 1-2, and Interferon-? in the Diagnosis of Pleural Tuberculosis
Sibel Yurt1, Gamze Kirkil2
1Yedikule Chest Disease and Chest Surgery, Education and Research Hospital, University of Health Science, Istanbul, Turkey
2Department of Chest Diseases, Firat University Faculty of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey
Pleural tuberculosis is the most common cause of pleural effusion (PE) worldwide. To date, diagnosis of pleural TB relies on either insensitive, unspecific, or time consuming methods often leading to defer initiation of therapy. A search for reliable least invasive diagnostic test for tuberculosis has resulted in identification of many diagnostic tests over the years, the most qualified one is adenosine deaminase (ADA). The best cut-off value of pleural ADA may vary depending on the incidence of tuberculosis pleural effusion (TBE). Using a cut off value of 35 U/L is reported that the sensitivity of ADA in diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion was 85.7%. Another biomarker widely using for TB PE is interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) cytokine. T-SPOT.TB has very high sensitivity in detection of TPE and is widely used for investigating the prevalence of TB infection.
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2018/1.1129 View / Download Pdf Commentary: Family Planning Use Among Women Living with HIV: A National Survey
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2018/1.1130 View / Download PdfJane Namasasu*
Independent Consultant, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
Intestinal Schistosomiasis Caused by Schistosoma japonicum: A Literature Review
D.J. Rivadeneira1*, H.S. Luo1
1Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, China
Intestinal schistosomiasis caused by the Schistosoma japonicum is located mainly in the East Asian region. Schistosomiasis is part of the neglected tropical diseases that affects mostly the poor population; although its incidence has dropped in these years, schistosomiasis caused by S. japonicum still is a prevalent disease. Adult worms reside in the mesenteric veins and excrete eggs that migrate through the intestinal wall and pass out with the stool. The clinical manifestations depend on the stage of the disease, the intestinal schistosomiasis mostly affects the colon, but it can also affect the small intestine. This review’s purpose is to highlight the background and importance of the intestinal manifestations caused by Schistosoma japonicum.
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2018/1.1134 View / Download Pdf Clinical Aspects of Acute Rheumatic Fever in Pernambuco, Brazil
Lurildo R. Saraiva1*, Cleusa Santos Lapa2, Thiago Barros Saraiva Leão3
1Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
2The Maternal and Child Institute of Pernambuco (IMIP), Recife, Brazil
3Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
Rheumatic fever and subsequent rheumatic heart disease remain high in areas with high levels of poverty as in our country as in Pernambuco State, northeast of the Brasil. Clinical aspects peculiar to the disease, once easily found in rich countries, are still present in our infirmaries, including curious alterations in the electrocardiogram. Elongated QTc and cardiac arrhythmias can be recorded in about 30% of acute cases, with the possibility of sudden death. Cardiac surgery imposes itself for the cure of heart failure rebel against newly introduced drugs in medical practice.
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2018/1.1133 View / Download Pdf