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Jiménez-Trejo F, Tapia-Rodríguez M, Arriaga-Canon C, Herrera LA, Contreras-Espinosa L, Jiménez-García KL. Expanding the concept of serotoninomics: perspectives for serotonin studies in the 20's of the 21st century. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1200370. [PMID: 37694111 PMCID: PMC10483994 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1200370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Surely, Vittorio Erspamer, discoverer of Enteramine in 1935, and Irvine Page, Maurice M. Rapport and Arda Green, discoverers of Serotonin in 1948, never imagined the biological importance that this fundamental molecule has in the living beings of our planet; from its physiological, passing through endocrine, neural, developmental and reproductive functions and even its role in evolution. For this reason, our workgroup is commemorating these researchers and celebrating their great discovery, which deeply influenced science and medicine, in the present perspective article. As a consequence of their seminal work, and the work of many other researchers in the field of serotonin over the following years, now we stand in front of the practical concept of "Serotoninomics," which we think will contribute to find out precise answers regarding basic, clinical, and translational research related to serotonin, just as the emerging medical and "omics" sciences have done before.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miguel Tapia-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Luis A. Herrera
- Tecnológico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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Sabarinath B, Protyusha GB, Sivapathasundharam B, Dhanarathna S. Role of dry ice in decoverslipping of microscopic slides: A new insight. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2023; 27:598. [PMID: 38033942 PMCID: PMC10683887 DOI: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_332_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The process of decoverslipping is often required in a laboratory to review or examine an older slide which tends to fade over time, making it almost impossible to use it for research or study purposes. The sections then need to be re-stained which can only be done after removing the coverslip. The traditional method of decoverslipping using xylene is a time-consuming process. Various methods have been used in the past; however, none were found to be completely effective. Dry ice, the solid form of carbon dioxide, is an easily available, cheap cooling agent with a low freezing temperature (-78.5°C) which was evaluated for its efficacy in decoverslipping process, as an alternative to xylene. Materials and Method 64 faded haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained histopathology slides were randomly selected and segregated, according to duration of year, into eight major groups. Each group was further divided into four subgroups according to the time that the slides were subjected for decoverslipping. The slides were placed on dry ice and the time was set. Once the coverslip was removed, the slides were placed in xylene to remove any residual mountant. The tissue sections were evaluated for physical disfigurement followed by re-staining with H&E to check for any change in tissue morphology. Result The mean time taken for removal of coverslip using dry ice was 35 seconds. Conclusion This technique is easy, fast, and effective, with no tissue loss or compromise in staining quality, thereby preventing xylene toxicity and its effect on the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Sabarinath
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - GB Protyusha
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - B Sivapathasundharam
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Priyadarshini Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Dhanarathna
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Smilekraft Dental Care, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Barrera Saldaña HA, Rivera Santiago C, Rodríguez Palacios R. SARS-CoV-2: Challenges in Reconverting Diagnostic Laboratories to Combat the Pandemic. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0147722. [PMID: 36314981 PMCID: PMC9769709 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01477-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first detected in Mexico in February 2020. Even though health authorities did not perceive then the value of viral detection tests, we anticipated the demand for them. We set up to develop an expeditious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) molecular diagnostic service through the implementation of standardized protocols for biospecimen sampling, transportation, biobanking, preanalytical validation, and nucleic acids (NA) testing (NAT). Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs collected in a special transportation medium were the biospecimens from which NAs were purified either manually or automatically. Viral RNA genome presence was determined using commercial SARS-CoV-2 detection kits (based on reverse transcription coupled with real-time PCR [RT-PCR]). Improvements in laboratory processing speed and reliability resulted from semi-automatizing laboratory processes and adopting a quality control/quality assurance system (QC/QA), respectively. NAs that were purified, either manually or automatically, were validated by preanalytical spectrophotometric characterization. Automated purification was less prone to contamination and reduced the processing time. The following six RT-PCR kits were evaluated for their convenience, specificity, sensitivity, time consumption, and required materials (in order, starting with the kit with the best results): RIDA gene and Viasure (tied), Vircell, LightMix, 1copy, and Logix Smart. Redesigning the laboratories' working areas, equipment, fluxes of personnel and material, and personnel skills, and overemphasizing biosafety safeguards were major challenges encountered in the middle of the sanitary crisis. Adopting a QC/QA system, utilizing automatization processes, and working closely with health authorities were key factors in our success. IMPORTANCE Rearranging our diagnostic laboratories to improve the fight against a new unexpected, unpredictable, and sudden public health threat demanded that we move quickly to redesign not only the laboratory processes but also the distribution of space, personnel activities, and fluxes of material coming in and out. We also had to work closely with governmental health authorities to gain their trust in our technical competence. Gaining the confidence of the clients, i.e., mainly individuals, the human resource departments of factories and corporations sending employees for testing, and medical institutions, and implementing as much automatization as possible of processes, in which only officially approved reagents (for extraction and analysis of NA) were used to generate opportune trustable testing results, were key factors. Our laboratories have gathered a considerable amount of experience and significant number of solutions, considering our geographic contexts alongside this continuously morphing pandemic, validating many techniques that might help other laboratories find a better and more precise workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Alberto Barrera Saldaña
- Columbia Comercial, SA de CV, División Columbia Biotec, Tlalpan, Mexico City, México
- Vitagénesis, SA de CV, and Innbiogem SC at LANSEIDI-CONACyT, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, School of Medicine, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, School of Biological Sciences, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México
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Fernández-Fournier M, Lacruz L, Nozal P, Chico JL, Tallón Barranco A, Otero-Ortega L, Corral I, Carrasco A. The study of neural antibodies in neurology: A practical summary. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1043723. [PMID: 36569884 PMCID: PMC9768545 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1043723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of Autoimmune Neurology is expanding rapidly, with new neural antibodies being identified each year. However, these disorders remain rare. Deciding when to test for these antibodies, when and what samples are to be obtained, how to handle and study them correctly, and how to interpret test results, is complex. In this article we review current diagnostic techniques and provide a comprehensive explanation on the study of these patients, in an effort to help with correct diagnosis minimizing false positive and false negative results. We also propose routine storage of samples and referral of certain cases to specialized research laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireya Fernández-Fournier
- Neuroimmunology and MS Unit, Department of Neurology, La Paz University Hospital, Neurology and Cerebrovascular Disease Group, Neuroscience Area of Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research – IdiPAZ, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid,Madrid, Spain,*Correspondence: Mireya Fernández-Fournier, ; Laura Otero-Ortega,
| | - Laura Lacruz
- Neuroimmunology and MS Unit, Department of Neurology, La Paz University Hospital, Neurology and Cerebrovascular Disease Group, Neuroscience Area of Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research – IdiPAZ, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid,Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Nozal
- Department of Immunology, La Paz University Hospital, Complement Research Group, of Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research – IdiPAZ, Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (Ciberer), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Chico
- Department of Neurology, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Tallón Barranco
- Neuroimmunology and MS Unit, Department of Neurology, La Paz University Hospital, Neurology and Cerebrovascular Disease Group, Neuroscience Area of Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research – IdiPAZ, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid,Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Otero-Ortega
- Neurology and Cerebrovascular Disease Group, Neuroscience Area of Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research – IdiPAZ (La Paz University Hospital- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Madrid, Spain,*Correspondence: Mireya Fernández-Fournier, ; Laura Otero-Ortega,
| | - Iñigo Corral
- Department of Neurology, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Angela Carrasco
- Department of Immunology, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
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Alcindo JF, Vieira MCG, Rocha TVP, Cardinot CB, Deschk M, Amaral GG, Araujo RFD, Franciscato C, Castilho Neto KJGDA, Machado RZ, André MR. Evaluation of techniques for diagnosis of Trypanosoma vivax infections in naturally infected cattle in the Zona da Mata Mineira. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2022; 31:e018021. [PMID: 35239859 PMCID: PMC9901852 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612022007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate diagnostic techniques for trypanosomiasis, caused by Trypanosoma vivax, in naturally infected cattle in Minas Gerais, Zona da Mata. The deaths of six lactating cows with similar clinical conditions-characterized by hyporexia, hypogalactia, and recumbency-had been reported from one property. Initially, two animals were examined and diagnosed with trypanosomiasis through identification of the protozoan in a blood smear. After the initial diagnosis, all lactating cows (n=37) on the property were examined, and blood samples were collected for tests including whole blood smear, buffy coat smear, Woo's technique, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Woo's test, buffy coat smears, and whole blood smears indicated that 4/37 (10.81%) animals were positive for trypanosomiasis, whereas ELISA and PCR indicated that 33/37 (89.19%) and 27/37 (72.97%) animals, respectively, were positive. The agreement obtained between parasitological techniques was classified as high, while between ELISA and PCR, no agreement. In conclusion, parasitological techniques have a low capacity to identify infected animals in the chronic stage of T. vivax infection. Therefore, techniques such as PCR and/or ELISA should be used to minimize the occurrence of false negatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jefferson Filgueira Alcindo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Maria Clara Guimarães Vieira
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Thamiris Vilela Pereira Rocha
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Cinthya Brillante Cardinot
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Maurício Deschk
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Gláucia Guimarães Amaral
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Rafael Ferreira de Araujo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Carina Franciscato
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Kayo José Garcia de Almeida Castilho Neto
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Rosângela Zacarias Machado
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
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Itano MS. A letter from the Editor-in-Chief. Biotechniques 2021; 71:454-5. [PMID: 34482700 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2021-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Šimac M, Šimac DV, Bilić-Zulle L. Prevalence of Aminotransferase Macroenzymes in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Impact on Their Management. EJIFCC 2021; 32:280-285. [PMID: 34421496 PMCID: PMC8343037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment can be hepatotoxic, but liver enzymes can be falsely elevated due to macroenzyme presence. Macroenzymes are often found in autoimmune diseases, but prevalence and effect on treatment is unclear. This study aimed to determine aminotransferase macroenzyme prevalence and effect in RA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included consecutive RA patients without liver disease sent for laboratory tests. Samples with elevated AST or ALT were processed for macroenzymes. Presence was determined using polyethylene glycol precipitation (PEG). RESULTS Out of 126 patients, 21 had elevated aminotransferase levels. Due to liver disease, 6 patients were excluded, another 3 were unavailable for informed consent, leaving 12 patients for inclusion. Out of 12 patients, 1 had increased AST levels, 2 increased ALT levels, and 9 both. Macro-ALT was detected in 5/11 patients, 1 also had macro-AST. Out of 5 patients with macroenzymes, treatment change was seen in 3/5 patients, imaging in 2/5, both in 2/5. CONCLUSION Elevated liver enzymes in RA patients is not always indicative of hepatotoxicity, as shown by the fact that about half of patients in our study had macroenzymes detected. Before assuming drug hepatotoxicity and changing treatment or ordering imaging, rheumatologists could consider macroenzyme presence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Šimac
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Daniel Victor Šimac
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia,Corresponding author: Daniel Victor Šimac Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka Ulica Tome Strižića 3 51000 Rijeka Croatia E-mail:
| | - Lidija Bilić-Zulle
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia, Department of Medical Informatics, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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Demkow U, Stelmaszczyk-Emmel A. Extracellular Vesicles in Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma and Laboratory Possibilities for Their Assessment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2273. [PMID: 33668821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of many diseases, including lung disorders, with the possibility of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The analysis of EV in respiratory tract diseases faces many obstacles, including material collection from airways, standardization of isolation techniques, detection methods, the analysis of their content, etc. This review focuses on the role of extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis of atopic respiratory diseases, especially asthma, with a special focus on their clinical applicability as a diagnostic tool. We also summarize available laboratory techniques that enable the detection of EVs in various biological materials, with particular emphasis on flow cytometry. The opportunities and limitations of detecting EV in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were also described.
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Kim H, Park S, Kang BJ, Jeong Y, Lee H, Lee KH. Quantitative Single-Cell Analysis of Isolated Cancer Cells with a Microwell Array. ACS Comb Sci 2019; 21:98-104. [PMID: 30485057 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.8b00151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The heterogeneous nature of tumor-cell populations suggests that quantitative analysis at the single-cell level may provide better insights into cancer biology. Specifically, detection of multiple biomarkers from a single cell offers important initial information about cellular behavior. However, conventional approaches limit biomarker detection at the single-cell level. Here, we fabricated a polymer microwell array to capture single cells from prostate-cancer cell lines and quantitatively analyzed the expression of three different cancer-related biomarkers, CD44, EpCAM, and PSMA, without a membrane protein-extraction step. The resulting information on cell-surface biomarker distributions was compared with that from other standard analytical techniques. Interestingly, a large variation in CD44-expression levels was observed when the cell-proliferation cycle was modulated. On the other hand, the expression levels of EpCAM in three different cell lines are consistent among the different analytical methods with the exception of the microarray, where it has a different substrate material to adhere to. This observation clearly emphasizes that biomarker choice and environmental control are critical for properly understanding the single-cell state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojun Kim
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwook Park
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Benedict J. Kang
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngdo Jeong
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyojin Lee
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan Hyi Lee
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
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Langlois F, Moramarco J, He G, Carr BR. Falsely Elevated Steroid Hormones in a Postmenopausal Woman Due to Laboratory Interference. J Endocr Soc 2017; 1:1062-1066. [PMID: 29264558 PMCID: PMC5686690 DOI: 10.1210/js.2017-00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Laboratory interference is a drawback in hormonal testing, and clinicians should have a high index of suspicion when faced with biochemical results discordant with the patient's clinical manifestations. A 62-year-old postmenopausal woman initially consulted her primary care physician for mood lability; laboratory workup showed markedly elevated levels of total serum estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol as measured by immunoassay. Further investigation demonstrated no evidence of estrogen effect on uterus, no adrenal or adnexal mass, and no evidence of Cushing syndrome. Conventional techniques to unmask laboratory interference, such as dilution, antigen precipitation, and using a different immunoassay did not unveil a potential laboratory interference. The patient had no apparent risk factor for analytic interference, such as absent rheumatoid factor and heterophilic antibodies, but had only mild monoclonal IgG hypergammaglobulinemia. In this case, mass spectrometry unmasked the false elevation in steroid hormones. Interference of gammaglobulins or antibodies with the labeling and separation process of the assay could be the culprits. In conclusion, we report a unique case of multiple steroid hormones elevations due to laboratory interference unmasked by mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Langlois
- Department of Medicine/Endocrinology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Jessica Moramarco
- Department of Medicine/Endocrinology, Hôpital Charles LeMoyne, Greenfield Park, Quebec J4V 2H1, Canada
| | - Gang He
- Department of Biochemistry, Hôpital Charles LeMoyne, Greenfield Park, Quebec J4V 2H1, Canada
| | - Bruce R Carr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
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Effler PV, Ieong MC, Tom T, Nakata M. Enhancing public health surveillance for influenza virus by incorporating newly available rapid diagnostic tests. Emerg Infect Dis 2002; 8:23-8. [PMID: 11749744 PMCID: PMC2730267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Beginning with the 1999-2000 influenza season, physicians throughout Hawaii ordering a viral culture for patients with suspected influenza were also offered influenza rapid testing. We compared the number of viral respiratory cultures sent to the Hawaii Department of Health and the number of providers who participated in influenza surveillance over consecutive influenza seasons. The number of viral respiratory cultures rose from 396 to 2,169 between the 1998-1999 and 2000-2001 influenza seasons, and the number of providers submitting >1 influenza culture increased from 34 to 327, respectively. The number of influenza isolates obtained each season also increased (from 64 to 491). The available data suggest that the changes observed in Hawaii's influenza surveillance were not secondary to differences in influenza activity between seasons. This is the first evaluation of integrating influenza rapid testing into public health surveillance. Coupling rapid tests with cultures appears to be an effective means of improving influenza surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul V Effler
- Hawaii State Department of Health, Room 444, 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA.
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Fonzi L, Pizzichini M. The mercury concentration in saliva: correlation to number and extension of dental amalgam restorations. Bull Group Int Rech Sci Stomatol Odontol 2002; 41:57. [PMID: 11799744 PMCID: PMC2730267 DOI: 10.3201/eid0801.010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Beginning with the 1999-2000 influenza season, physicians throughout Hawaii ordering a viral culture for patients with suspected influenza were also offered influenza rapid testing. We compared the number of viral respiratory cultures sent to the Hawaii Department of Health and the number of providers who participated in influenza surveillance over consecutive influenza seasons. The number of viral respiratory cultures rose from 396 to 2,169 between the 1998-1999 and 2000-2001 influenza seasons, and the number of providers submitting >1 influenza culture increased from 34 to 327, respectively. The number of influenza isolates obtained each season also increased (from 64 to 491). The available data suggest that the changes observed in Hawaii’s influenza surveillance were not secondary to differences in influenza activity between seasons. This is the first evaluation of integrating influenza rapid testing into public health surveillance. Coupling rapid tests with cultures appears to be an effective means of improving influenza surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fonzi
- CROIB-Centro interfacoltà per ricerche odontostomatologiche sperimentali e per lo studio delle interazioni chimicobiologiche dei biomateriali, Dip. di Scienze Biomediche, Università di Siena, Italia
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