Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry
-
Subjects with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune disorders. ATP, adenosine, and acetylcholine contribute to the immune response regulation, and NTPDase, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are important enzymes in the control of the extracellular levels of these molecules. We evaluated the activities of these enzymes and the cytokine levels in samples of DS individuals. ⋯ Alterations in the NTPDase, ADA and AChE activities as well changes in the cytokine levels may contribute to immunological alterations observed in DS.
-
Case Reports
Falsely increased chloride and missed anion gap elevation during treatment with sodium thiosulfate.
Sodium thiosulfate (STS) is used to treat calciphylaxis and cyanide poisoning, but can lead to a serious anion-gap acidosis. We suspected that the calculated anion gap in a patient treated with STS for calciphylaxis was decreased to normal by a falsely increased chloride, and we hypothesized that STS directly interfered with chloride measurements. ⋯ Interference of STS in chloride measurement in several common analyzers may lead to erroneous anion-gap calculations and confound the diagnosis of STS-induced anion-gap acidosis.
-
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) exists as monomers, homodimers, and NGAL/matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) complexes. Circulating neutrophils are activated in ongoing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC); therefore, plasma NGAL levels are likely to be increased in DIC. We investigated the diagnostic performance of the plasma NGAL level in predicting acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with DIC and determined the prognostic value of NGAL. ⋯ Plasma free and total NGAL proved to be powerful markers for AKI in DIC patients and plasma free NGAL also has a prognostic relevance in DIC patients without AKI.
-
Clinical data of serial interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) testing in routine laboratory practice are limited. IFN-γ response to mitogen is used as a positive control in IGRA. We assessed the association between IFN-γ response to nil, mitogen, tuberculosis (TB) mycobacterial antigens, and the variations from the results of the serial testing. ⋯ Because IGRAs are dynamic assays, integrated interpretation of quantitative TB response with mitogen and nil response would be helpful in serial QFT-GIT. Recommendations for the interpretation of results of serial testing for active TB will be required.