Flow-cytometric cellular allergen stimulation test in latex allergy

BACKGROUND: The use of flow-cytometric basophil activation to different allergens has been recommended in recent years. In this study, we analyzed the diagnostic reliability of the flow-cytometric allergen stimulation test (FAST) after latex-specific stimulation in vitro. The diagnostic reliability of the technique was assessed as well as its correlation with other in vitro diagnostic parameters. METHODS: 43 patients allergic to latex with a positive history and skin test participated in the study. Thirty subjects (20 of them exposed to latex) with a negative history, skin tests and serum-specific IgE determination to latex were used as controls. In FAST the percentage of basophils that express CD63 as an activation marker after in vitro stimulation with allergen (latex) is determined by flow cytometry, following double labelling with the monoclonal antibodies anti-CD63-PE and anti-IgE FITC. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient in FAST with latex was 0.995 (p < 0.0001), which demonstrates the excellent reproducibility of this technique. Taking a cutoff point of 10% by means of ROC curves, FAST yields a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100%. The FAST positive predictive value in latex allergy was 100% and the negative predictive value was 99.9%. We found a positive and significant correlation between FAST and specific IgE (CAP) with the histamine release test and specific sulphidoleukotriene production [cellular allergen stimulation test (CAST); p < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: FAST is a highly reliable technique (93% sensitivity and 100% specificity) in the in vitro diagnosis of IgE-mediated latex allergy.     

Two cases of neurocysticercosis mimicking brain tumor

Neurocysticercosis is an infectious disorder of the central nervous system caused by Taenia solium larvae. We report two misleading cases, mimicking high grade glioma on radiology. Two patients, aged 14 and 29 respectively, developed seizure, associated with left facial paralysis in the second. For each case, radiological data revealed a solitary lesion highly suggestive of high grade glioma. Microscopically, within an important inflammatory process, a characteristic cystic formation allowed a definite diagnosis of cysticercosis. Then, for both patients, a history of migration from endemic area was demonstrated later. These cases highlight the necessary pathological examination when neurocysticercosis mimics a brain tumor.     

TP53 mutations in human skin cancers

The p53 gene (TP53) is mutated in numerous human cancers. We have used it as a molecular target to characterize the induction of mutations in human skin cancers. About 50% of all skin cancers in normal individuals exhibit p53 mutations. This frequency rises to 90% in skin cancers of patients with the DNA-repair deficiency known as xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). These mutations are characterized by a specific signature, attributed to the ultraviolet uvB part of the solar spectrum. In this review, we will describe different p53 mutation spectra, in relation to the various histopathological types of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and malignant melanoma as well as to the DNA repair efficiency of the patients. In particular, different mutational hot spots are found among the various spectra. We have tried to elucidate them in terms of induced DNA lesion hot spots, as well as speed of local nucleotide excision repair (NER) or sequence effects. The molecular analysis of these mutagenic characteristics should help in the understanding of the origin of human skin cancers in the general population.     

Molecular characterization of isolates of waterborne Cryptosporidium spp. collected during an outbreak of gastroenteritis in South Burgundy,France

In September 2001, a waterborne outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred in eastern France. Of 31 fecal samples from symptomatic individuals, 19 tested positive for Cryptosporidium with two PCRs targeting the Hsp70 and the 18S rRNA genes of CRYPTOSPORIDIUM: Sequencing of the PCR fragments produced sequences identical to that of Cryptosporidium parvum genotype 1.     

Combined 24-color karyotyping and comparative genomic hybridization analysis indicates predominant rearrangements of early replicating chromosome regions in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is characterized by several distinct genetic alterations including MYCN amplification, chromosome 1p deletion and gain of chromosome 17. Although these alterations are thought to play a crucial role in oncogenesis, to date little is known about their underlying mechanisms. In order to more precisely document these genetic alterations, we have performed a combined study of 27 neuroblastoma cell lines using 24-color karyotyping (24-CK) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). 24-CK detected balanced translocations in 13 cases with recurrent involvement of chromosome 8. More importantly, 144 nonreciprocal translocations were observed in the 27 cell lines, with chromosome 1 as the most frequent recipient and chromosome 17 the most frequent donor. Each cell line exhibited at least one unbalanced translocation involving 17q, with 14 cell lines demonstrating more than one such translocation. Other recurrent alterations were amplification of the 2p24 chromosome region, which encodes the MYCN oncogene, losses of 1p, 3p and 11q, and gains of 1q and 7. In most cases, CGH profiles were directly linked to the presence of unbalanced translocations with gain of the donor fragment and loss of the replaced region on the recipient chromosome. Strikingly, over 60% of the chromosome breakpoints mapped to early replicating chromosome bands, which represent around 13% of the genome. Altogether these data suggest that neuroblastoma is characterized by rearrangements that predominantly involve chromosome fragments replicating early in the S-phase.     

Abdominal sacrohysteropexy in young women with uterovaginal prolapse: long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficiency after abdominal sacrohysteropexy in women with uterovaginal prolapse. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective chart review at our tertiary referral urogynecology unit. Thirty women of childbearing age with uterovaginal prolapse who wanted uterine preservation underwent abdominal sacrohysteropexy between 1987 and 1999. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 35.7 years (range, 29-43 years). All women were parous. Thirteen women had grade 2 uterovaginal prolapse, and 17 women had grade 3 prolapse. In all women, the Burch procedure and posterior colporrhaphy were performed at the same time. Intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred in 2 patients (6.6%) and 4 patients (13.3%), respectively. The mean objective and subjective follow-up periods were 44.5 months (range, 2-156 months) and 94.6 months (range, 8-160 months), respectively. At the time of the last physical examination, there were two cases of recurrent uterovaginal prolapse (6.6%), which was symptomatic in 1 patient and required repeat surgical treatment. At the time of the last questionnaire, apart from the patient who underwent repeat surgery, no patients had any uterovaginal prolapse symptoms. Three women had pregnancies that were conceived spontaneously, which led to three early legal abortions. CONCLUSION: The abdominal sacrohysteropexy is effective and safe in the treatment of uterovaginal prolapse in women of childbearing age. This procedure has a high success rate in correcting prolapse without a time-dependent decrease in efficiency.