Evidence for the effectiveness of a chlamydia awareness campaign: increased population rates of chlamydia testing and detection

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a statewide campaign aimed at increasing chlamydia awareness and testing among younger people. In November 2002, a narrowcast media campaign targeting men and women aged 16-29 years was launched in Victoria, Australia. This was expanded in June 2003. Data on chlamydia testing via Medicare and chlamydia notifications, before and after the campaign, were compared to determine possible effects of the campaign on population rates of chlamydia testing and detection. During the campaign, chlamydia testing rates increased significantly for both women (P=0.04) and men (P=0.04), while testing rates before and after the campaign remained relatively stable. Although testing rates increased, only 4.3% of Victorian women and 1.9% of men aged 16-30 were tested through Medicare in 2003. The increase in chlamydia testing over the study period was closely paralleled by an increase in notification rates for chlamydia, with strong correlations between the two (r=0.97, P<0.001). In conclusion, an estimated minimum of A$70 was spent on the campaign for each additional chlamydia test performed. Testing within the framework of a national chlamydia screening programme may be a more cost-effective way of increasing chlamydia testing.     

A microplate ELISA for the detection of platelet alloantibodies: comparison with the platelet immunofluorescence test

An enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for the detection of platelet alloantibodies has been compared in detail with the platelet immunofluorescence test (PIFT). The ELISA appeared much simpler to perform than the PIFT. Both tests were comparable with regard to reproducibility and sensitivity. Alloantibodies were detected with ELISA and PIFT in 13 out of 14 patients who were refractory to random donor platelets. The value of these tests as a platelet crossmatch assay was determined in a retrospective comparison of the test results and the clinical transfusion responses expressed as the 1 h post-transfusion platelet recovery. 39/41 (95%) negative ELISA crossmatches and 30/33 (91%) negative PIFT crossmatches appeared to be associated with a successful platelet transfusion, whereas 7/10 positive ELISA crossmatches and 2/4 positive PIFT crossmatches appeared to be associated with transfusion failures. The high frequency of 'correct' negative tests indicates the importance of both assays in the prospective selection of compatible platelet donors for alloimmunized patients. However, because of its simplicity, the ELISA appears the method of choice for this purpose.     

Use of Sepharose bead immunofluorescence assay for comparison of the type D retroviruses MPMV and PMFV

Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) and PMFV, an isolate from a human continuous cell line, were compared by Sepharose bead immunofluorescence assay. According to the results with p27-specific assays the main structural protein of both viruses seems to be identical in the prominent antigenic determinants. Differences were found when comparing the p15s indicating that this viral protein contains type-specific antigenic determinants.     

Diagnosis of whooping cough--a comparison of culture, immunofluorescence and serology with ELISA

Three methods for diagnosis of whooping cough--culture, immunofluorescence (IF) technique on nasopharyngeal secretion and serology with ELISA--were compared. 52 patients with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, which could not exclude pertussis as a differential diagnosis, were investigated. Pertussis infection was confirmed in 30 patients. Of these 16 (53%) were found by culture, 19 (63%) by IF and 28 (93%) by serology. It is concluded that IF analysis of nasopharyngeal secretion is a valuable tool for rapid diagnosis of whooping cough with a sensitivity similar to that of culture. Serodiagnosis with ELISA added a significant number of positive patients in which culture and IF were negative.     

Group B Streptococcus detection: comparison of PCR assay and culture as a screening method for pregnant women

Streptococcus agalactiae or group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most important causal agents of serious neonatal infections. Numerous assays have been evaluated for GBS screening in order to validate a fast and efficient method. The aim of this study was to compare the culture technique (established as the gold standard) with the molecular method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers (atr gene). Two hundred and sixty-three samples were analyzed. Vaginal samples were collected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, from women over 35 weeks of pregnancy at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). Two different extraction methods were tested in all samples collected. PCR technique yielded 71 (26.99%) positive results. Sensitivity and specificity for PCR were 100% and 86.88%, respectively. PCR demonstrated a shorter turnaround time than the culture. The molecular methodology proved to be a useful screening for GBS, allowing effective treatment to be initiated in shorter time to prevent newborn infection.     

Use of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis: a comparison with the conventional scraping method

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Iran. Scraping smears are widely used and fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is now attracting more attention. Both methods were performed on the clinically suspected cases in our study. Smears were stained using Giemsa. We compared the sensitivity, specificity and some other aspects of these two methods. Of our 400 patients, 346 had specimens that were positive for leishman body, and of these 328 were detected using both methods. However, 42 cases were confirmed positive by FNA cytology and 18 as a result of scraping smears. There was a significant difference between the two methods in the detection of leishman body and microgranuloma, slide background and patient comfort. The sensitivity of FNA cytology was greater even though the specificity was the same. Our study confirmed the advantages of FNA cytology as a reliable method for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis.     

The histochemical detection of insulin in a culture of pancreatic endocrine tissue by using the pseudoisocyanine and immunofluorescence methods]

Histochemical pseudoisocyanin and immunofluorescent methods were employed to investigate the level of insulin in cultivated pancreatic islet tissue (PIT) using two techniques: 1) staining of isolated PIT, cultivated on mica sheets; 2) staining of cultivated PIT sections. Stained sections ensure better results of microscopic and photometric investigations. On the whole, the most optimum method for histochemical analysis of the state of cultivated PIT is the combination of the above two techniques.     

A comparison of cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization for the detection of lung cancer in bronchoscopic specimens

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the relative sensitivity and specificity of cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the detection of lung cancer in bronchoscopically obtained specimens. DESIGN: Cytology and FISH were performed on brushing and washing specimens obtained from patients undergoing bronchoscopy for suspected lung cancer. FISH utilized the LAVysion probe set (Abbott Molecular; Des Plaines, IL), which contains locus-specific probes to 5p15, 7p12 (EGFR), 8q24 (C-MYC), and a centromeric probe to chromosome 6. SETTING: Single-center, academic, tertiary medical center. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirty-seven patients referred for bronchoscopy for suspicion of lung cancer. INTERVENTIONS: Cytology and FISH were performed on bronchoscopic brushings and washings. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: One hundred thirty-seven patients undergoing bronchoscopy had pathology, FISH, and cytology results. FISH and cytology were performed on 123 washing and 78 brushing specimens. Sensitivities of FISH and cytology were 71% and 51% (p = 0.007), respectively, for brushing specimens, and 49% and 44% (p = 0.541) for washing specimens. When FISH and cytology results were combined, sensitivities were 75% and 61%, respectively, for brushing and washing specimens, which was significantly better (p < 0.001) than cytology alone. Specificities of FISH and cytology for patients with negative findings at the time of initial bronchoscopy were 83% and 100% (p = 0.125), respectively, for brushing specimens, and 95% and 100% (p = 0.500) for washing specimens. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that FISH is significantly more sensitive than conventional cytology for detecting lung cancer in bronchial brushing specimens; when combined with cytology, FISH can improve the diagnostic sensitivity of detecting malignancy in bronchial brushing and washing specimens.     

A comparison of routine cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization for the detection of malignant bile duct strictures

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the relative sensitivities and specificities of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and routine cytology for the detection of malignancy in biliary tract strictures. METHODS: Bile duct brushing and aspirate specimens were collected from 131 patients being evaluated for possible malignant bile duct strictures. Both specimen types were assessed by FISH but only brushing specimens were assessed by cytology. The FISH assay used a mixture of fluorescently-labeled probes to the centromeres of chromosomes 3, 7, and 17 and chromosomal band 9p21 (Vysis UroVysion) to identify cells having chromosomal abnormalities. A case was considered positive for malignancy if five or more cells exhibited polysomy. RESULTS: Sixty-six of the 131 patients had surgical pathologic and/or clinical evidence of malignancy. Thirty-nine patients had cholangiocarcinoma, 19 had pancreatic carcinoma, and 8 had other types of malignancy. The sensitivity of cytology and FISH for the detection of malignancy in bile duct brushing specimens in these patients was 15% and 34% (p < 0.01), respectively. The sensitivity of FISH for the bile aspirate specimens was 23%, and the combined sensitivity of FISH for aspirate and brushing specimens was 35%. The specificity of FISH and cytology brushings were 91% and 98% (p= 0.06), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FISH is significantly more sensitive than and nearly as specific as conventional cytology for the detection of malignant biliary strictures in biliary brushing specimens. FISH may improve the clinical management of patients who are being evaluated for malignancy in bile duct strictures.     

Prospective comparison of brush cytology, viral culture, and histology for the diagnosis of ulcerative esophagitis in AIDS.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The best method(s) for the diagnosis of esophageal ulcers in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is unknown. METHODS: Over an 8-year period, all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with a CD4 lymphocyte count of < or =250/mm(3) and an esophageal ulcer underwent a standard protocol consisting of 2 biopsy examinations for viral culture (shell vial technique), brushing for cytology with immunohistochemistry (IHC) for viral antigens, and 10 biopsy examinations of the ulcer base/edge for routine histology and IHC. The cause of ulcer was based on histologic findings and clinical and endoscopic follow-up evaluation after therapy. RESULTS: Forty patients with 48 episodes of ulcer were studied (mean age, 34 yr; 88% men; median CD4 lymphocyte count = 31 cells/mm(3); range, 0-250 cells/mm(3)). Six patients had more than one endoscopic examination documenting ulcer, and 2 patients had more than one cause of ulcer. The most common causes of ulcer were: idiopathic (IEU) 22, cytomegalovirus (CMV) 15, and gastroesophageal reflux disease 6. Viral culture was positive for herpes simplex in 3 of 3, but only 4 of 15 (27%) for CMV, and specificity of viral culture was 100%. Cytologic brushings were only positive in the patients with herpes simplex virus (HSV) or incidental Candida esophagitis. Viral cytopathic effect was apparent on routine histologic staining in each patient with viral esophagitis, and IHC confirmed the diagnosis in each patient. Follow-up evaluation disclosed no patient with a misdiagnosis based on histology. CONCLUSIONS: Viral culture and cytologic brushings add little to the evaluation of esophageal ulcers in patients with AIDS over multiple biopsy specimens with routine histology.     

Comparison between culture method and direct immunofluorescence test for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and follow-up survey of antigen positive patients

C. trachomatis isolation by culture method using McCoy cells and direct immunofluorescence test (DFA) were carried out on specimens collected from patients with suspected chlamydial infections and the results were compared. Follow-up survey was also made on C. trachomatis positive patients. The results are summarized as follows: 1) One thousand and eighty-six specimens were examined. Positive-coincidence ratio obtained from both methods was 80% and negative-coincidence ratio was 92%. The antigen detection by the DFA exceeded a little bit in positive ratio than that by the culture method. 2) C. trachomatis was positively detected in 31 of 94 men (33%) and 5 of 27 (17%) women during periods from 7 days to 2.5 years in follow-up examinations.     

外周血单核细胞肺炎衣原体包涵体检测及意义

目的探讨外周血单核细胞(PBMC)中肺炎衣原体(Cpn)包涵体的检测方法和临床应用。方法使用低渗溶血法制备PBMC。直接免疫荧光(DIF)检测(Cpn包涵体,以微量免疫荧光(MIF)检测血浆特异性IgG抗体。结果150例冠心病患者Cpn包涵体阳性20例,阳性率13.3％,55例对照组中仅1例阳性,阳性率为1.8％,Cpn IgG两组间阳性率分别为94％及38.2％,冠心病组PBMC中包涵体及血中IgG分别与对照组比较阳性率明显增高(P<0.001)。结论外周血标本来源容易,反映客观。低渗溶血法可集中批量制备PBMC,省时省力。Cpn包涵体阳性反映患者现今Cpn感染状态。     

Sputum cytology for the detection of early lung cancer

Sputum cytology is an important step in the early diagnosis of roentgenographically occult lung cancer. It identifies primarily intraepithelial lesions, which are the most common squamous carcinomas not detected by helical CT. Patients at highest risk for lung cancer (eg, heavy smokers with airflow obstruction) should undergo sputum cytology. Patients with premalignant lesions (eg, moderate or severe dysplasia) and of course patients with carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma should receive fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The diagnosis and treatment of early-stage lung cancer usually has a favorable outcome. Today we have the knowledge and technology that can change the outcome of lung cancer through early identification, particularly in high-risk patients.     

Cervical ureaplasma urealyticum colonization: comparison of PCR and culture for its detection and association with preterm birth

We developed a 16S ribosomal (r) RNA gene-based PCR assay specific for Ureaplasma urealyticum and compared it with culture. We also wanted to assess the role of cervical U. urealyticum colonization in preterm births. Cervical swabs from 100 women with preterm contractions and from 50 asymptomatic pregnant women were collected and analyzed using PCR. The PCR and culture methods were compared using the samples from the asymptomatic patients. PCR and culture were equally effective at detecting U. urealyticum. Cervical colonization correlated with preterm delivery, with rates of 71% and 37% for those delivering preterm and those with term delivery, respectively (p = 0.008). The relative risk of preterm delivery if colonized with U. urealyticum was 3.34. 16S rRNA gene-based PCR proved to be a useful tool for detecting U. urealyticum compared to culture. Lower genital tract colonization with U. urealyticum was associated with preterm birth.     

Quantitative detection of lung cancer cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization: comparison with conventional cytology

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify whether fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) can diagnose lung cancer in various clinical specimens in comparison with conventional cytology. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital in a metropolitan area. PATIENTS: Fifty consecutive patients with abnormal chest radiography or CT scan findings were enrolled. The patients included 32 men and 18 women, with an average age of 64 years. The final definitive diagnosis was made by histologic examination, as follows: 38 primary lung cancers (24 adenocarcinomas, 8 squamous cell carcinomas, 2 large cell carcinomas, and 4 small cell carcinomas); 1 metastatic renal cell carcinoma; and 11 benign lesions. METHODS: Four types of clinical specimens were analyzed. Cells obtained by transbronchial brushing and transbronchial fine-needle aspiration using a fiberoptic bronchoscope under fluoroscopy, CT scan-guided percutaneous needle biopsy, and bronchial washings. On every examination, duplicate slides were made for analyses of conventional cytology and FISH. RESULTS: Classifications according to conventional cytology were as follows: class I, 4 patients; class II, 15 patients; class IIIa, 3 patients; class IIIb, 5 patients; and class V, 23 patients. A classification higher than class IIIb was considered to be positive for cancer. For cytology, we found no false-positive cases and 11 false-negative cases. The specificity was 100%, and the sensitivity was 71.8%. By FISH, 34 cases showed aberrant copy numbers in either chromosome 3 or 17. We found no false-positive cases and five false-negative cases. The specificity was 100%, and the sensitivity was 87.1%. CONCLUSION: The ability of FISH to detect aneusomic lung cancer cells is superior to conventional cytology for the diagnosis of lung cancer.     

Methadone detection in rat myenteric plexus: comparison with findings in the central nervous system by the immunofluorescence method.

Nonpregnant and pregnant rats were given methadone for varying time periods. Myenteric plexus was then examined for methadone by immunofluorescence and the results compared to similar studies of the central nervous system. Nonpregnant animals showed positive ganglion cells 2 weeks before methadone was detected in the brain. Additionally, maternal ganglion cells were more frequently positive than those of their offspring. These findings indicate fundamental differences in the response of peripheral and central neurons to methadone. Thus, studying the effects of opiates on isolated strips of bowel may be of little value in furthering understanding of the action of narcotics upon the brain.     

A comparison between a commercial coagglutination test and conventional throat culture for the detection of group A streptococci in throat swabs

A co-agglutination test (Phadirect Strep A) for rapid detection of group A streptococci in throat swabs was compared with conventional throat culture in 264 patients with pharyngotonsillitis and fever. The test was easy to perform and proved to have a satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. The predictive value of a positive test will be high also when the prevalence of streptococcal disease is low.