Clin Chem Lab Med
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Recent studies show that platelets have important roles in the immune system. Little is known about the clinical significance of platelet indices. Changes in platelet indices, including platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit, in pulmonary tuberculosis were investigated. ⋯ We suggest that PDW, MPV and plateletcrit change in tuberculosis and that these changes may not reflect only acute phase reaction and disease activity. The potential role of platelet indices in tuberculosis immunopathogenesis remains to be investigated.
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Pleural effusions are often classified into transudates and exudates based on Light's criteria. In this study, the diagnostic properties of Light's criteria were compared to those of several other analytes for the classification of pleural fluids into transudative and exudative. ⋯ Including effusion cholesterol, concentration in the routine biochemical work-up of pleural fluid allows for correct classification of more pleural effusions than achieved by use of Light's criteria. Combination of cholesterol and LDH had the highest discriminatory potential and the added advantage that no patient plasma is needed for correct classification.
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The aim of the present study was to investigate the analytical and diagnostic utility of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the N-terminus of this prohormone, N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) testing in the emergency department to identify acute congestive heart failure (CHF). ⋯ In general, the different assays tested for BNP and NT-pro-BNP correlate very well in patients with suspected CHF and may aid in the risk stratification process in emergency departments. However, the value must always be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical information. It should also be considered that renal impairment can affect the results.
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Comparative Study
Holotranscobalamin in laboratory diagnosis of cobalamin deficiency compared to total cobalamin and methylmalonic acid.
Cobalamin-saturated transcobalamin, also called holotranscobalamin (holoTC), constitutes only between 6% and 20% of total plasma B(12). Serum concentration of holoTC is a new marker in laboratory diagnosis of cobalamin deficiency. We tested the utility of holoTC in assessing vitamin B(12) status. ⋯ Compared to total cobalamin, we observed a better performance of holoTC assay in detecting elevated concentrations of MMA in subjects with normal renal function. The majority of subjects with combined low holoTC and elevated MMA had normal concentrations of total cobalamin. HoloTC can be used as a first line parameter in detecting cobalamin deficiency.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Multicentre evaluation of a new point-of-care test for the determination of NT-proBNP in whole blood.
The Roche CARDIAC proBNP point-of-care (POC) test is the first test intended for the quantitative determination of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in whole blood as an aid in the diagnosis of suspected congestive heart failure, in the monitoring of patients with compensated left-ventricular dysfunction and in the risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes. ⋯ The POC NT-proBNP test showed good analytical performance and excellent agreement with the laboratory method. The POC NT-proBNP assay is therefore suitable in the POC setting.