Clinical laboratory最新文献

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes a respiratory illness, characterized by symptoms such as fever, dry cough, and drowsiness. This virus is highly contagious, has significant mutation rates, and induces infection despite vaccination. Its widespread prevalence has profoundly impacted global economies, societies, and daily life. In response to these challenges, researchers have committed themselves to advancing rapid and cost-effective diagnostic technologies, holding substantial importance for the rapid evolution of global diagnostic capabilities. Nonetheless, various detection methods diverge in principles, sensitivity, specificity, and other aspects. Additionally, COVID-19 is not an isolated event, but part of a broader history of pandemics in human society. Therefore, this article briefly reviews the existing detection methods of SARS-CoV-2, providing valuable technical insights to diagnose not only SARS-CoV-2 but also other viruses.

Methods: A search was conducted on PubMed by utilizing keywords such as "SARS-CoV-2 detection", "RT-qPCR detection for SARS-CoV-2", "LFA detection for SARS-CoV-2", "Biosensors detection for SARS-CoV-2", and similar terms. The objective was to compile and summarize relevant articles on these topics.

Results: Currently, the real-time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) stands as a widely employed method for detecting SARS-CoV-2, enabling an accurate detection of viral RNA. Furthermore, the lateral flow assay (LFA) assists in detecting viral antigens and antibodies. Gene sequencing technology primarily facilitates the real-time monitoring of mutated SARS-CoV-2 strains, while biosensors could offer a rapid, economical, sensitive, and precise detection of SARS-CoV-2. These methods provide a strong technical support for the early detection and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions: This paper offers a concise overview of pathogen detection methods, as molecular biology, and immunological detection techniques, alongside emerging biosensor platforms relevant to SARS-CoV-2, and delineates the strengths and weaknesses of each method.

Background: Famotidine is a competitive histamine H-receptor antagonist that reduces the formation of stomach acid and is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders associated with acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, and pathological hypersecretory disorders. This study is designed to investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of the ranolazine scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's disease-like feature in a mouse model.

Methods: Mice were divided equally into five groups (ten mice per group), including control group and induction group. The mice in the induction group were administered scopolamine 1 mg/kg i.p., once daily for 7 days, to induce features similar to Alzheimer's disease. The mice in the remaining three treatment groups were given tested medications prophylactically for 14 days. After that the induction was carried out with scopolamine 1 mg/kg i.p., once daily, while the tested medication dosages were continued for an additional 7 days. These treatment groups included: the donepezil group (5 mg/kg/day), the famotidine group (40 mg/kg/day) and the combined group with donepezil (5 mg/kg/day) and famotidine (40 mg/kg/day); all were administrated i.p., once daily. Behavioral parameters were assessed, among others with the Y-maze test and novel object recognition test, and the inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress parameters were assessed as well.

Results: Famotidine exhibits significant improvements in behavior and memory, level of oxidative stress parame-ter, and inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions: Famotidine and its combination at prescribed doses in the current study improved learning and memory impairments in mice model of Alzheimer's disease probably via their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties confirmed by a significant increase in antioxidant mediator and a significant decrease in oxidative stress marker and inflammatory cytokines.

Background: Urinary sediment is an important part of routine urine test, which plays an irreplaceable role in the diagnosis of diseases, monitoring of treatment effect, and prognosis judgment [1].

Methods: Through the results of urine dry chemistry and microscopic examination of urinary sediment, we inter-preted and analyzed the clinical significance of urinary casts in urinary sediment.

Results: In patients with new urinary system diseases abnormal urine results appear earlier than changes in serum renal function indicators, especially when the urine sediment shows typical casts, which can provide an important basis for clinical diagnosis.

Conclusions: Clinical laboratory personnel should attach great importance to the morphological examination of urinary sediment and master the diagnostic significance of the formed components of urinary sediment for various diseases, so as to better assist clinical disease diagnosis.

Background: Leukemia is the fifth most common cancer in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to assess the various patterns of leukemia associated with age, gender, and nationality in this region.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the regional laboratory in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, from April to November 2023. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies and percentages by using the GraphPad Prism software.

Results: This study included 107 patients, and the results showed that leukemia cases were higher in males than females and more prevalent in older patients (above 50 years of age). Overall, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) were the most common types of leukemia among Saudi patients. In addition, AML was the most prevalent type of leukemia in males and females, followed by ALL. Data also revealed that ALL was the most common type in the younger population, whereas AML was highly prevalent in older patients.

Conclusions: In conclusion, this study provides valuable information about the patterns of leukemia reported at the regional laboratory in Makkah and will help in designing management and preventive approaches for these patients. This epidemiological investigation is also valuable for establishing proper medical databases.

Background: Pulmonary mucormycosis is most common in patients with hematologic malignancies and transplant recipients. This article describes a case of mucormycosis in the lungs secondary to a hematologic disorder with suspected lung cancer.

Methods: Rhizopus (Rhizopus microspores) was detected by blood NGS and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid NGS, and pulmonary mucormycosis was confirmed.

Results: Secondary to hematologic disease, pulmonary pneumonia, mycosis, and symptoms improved after comprehensive treatment.

Conclusions: Clinical data and radiologic knowledge are combined to diagnose invasive pulmonary mycoses; early empirical medicine is very important.

Background: The exact relationships of circulating fibronectin, SHBG, and ILGF-1 with T2DM and GDM remain inconsistent. Therefore, in this study we evaluate their associations in T2DM and GDM. Additionally, we evaluate their correlations with different biochemical parameters.

Methods: A total of 505 pregnant women (180 with T2DM, 160 GDM patients, and 165 controls) were enrolled in the current study. SHBG, ILGF-1, and fibronectin were estimated by using the ELISA technique.

Results: The GDM and T2DM groups had higher ILGF-1 and fibronectin levels than the control group, while having a lower SHGB level. The correlations of clinical characteristics with ILGF-1, SHBG, and fibronectin showed that ILGF-1 in GDM patients was positively associated with HbA1c% and insulin. T2DM was positively related to insulin and insulin resistance, as well. There was a positive association between SHBG and insulin among the T2DM groups. Furthermore, in T2DM individuals, fibronectin was positively related with HbA1c% and glucose.

Conclusions: The study suggests that the circulating levels of fibronectin, SHBG, and ILGF-1 are linked to GDM and T2DM risk. Hence, the circulating concentrations of these biomarkers are potentially useful for predicting the risk of GDM as well as developing T2DM.

Background: In this study, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Citrobacter amalonaticus carrying blaNDM-5 were isolated from a single patient.

Methods: The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was evaluated by using E-test and agar dilution methods, and blaNDM-5 was identified in genomic and plasmid DNA by using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Whole genome sequencing and de novo assembly were used for species characterization, resistance gene identification, and plasmid analysis.

Results: All three species had identical plasmids, which were similar to pEC463-NDM5, a plasmid harboring blaNDM-5. Transconjugation experiments confirmed the horizontal gene transfer of blaNDM-5, highlighting the need for a close monitoring of Enterobacteriaceae species harboring this gene.

Conclusions: This study conclusively demonstrates the propensity for horizontal gene transfer of blaNDM-5 among Enterobacteriaceae species, underlining the importance of vigilant monitoring to combat antibiotic resistance.

Background: As an opportunistic pathogenic fungus, Schizophyllum has been rarely reported to infect humans. By reporting a case of definite diagnosis of Schizophyllum infection, we aim to improve clinicians' understanding of this bacterium.

Methods: By reporting a case with cough and sputum as the main manifestations, after empirical antiinfective chest CT suggesting a more progressive inflammatory lesion and a mass-like lesion in the paratracheal area of the main airways, a diagnosis of Schizophyllum infection was finally made by bronchoscopy with the delivery of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS).

Results: The patient was finally diagnosed with rare Schizophyllum infection. After antifungal treatment, the symptoms improved, and the patient was discharged.

Conclusions: Although Schizophyllum is a rare fungal infection, it should be taken seriously in patients with diabetes or who are immunocompromised. At the same time, mNGS plays a key role in the detection of rare and emerging pathogens, which is worthy of clinical interest.

Background: In December 2023, our hospital confirmed a case of finger infection with Mycobacterium marinum. The patient sought medical attention at our hospital due to a hard scratch on her left middle finger, which was red, swollen, and ulcerated for one month.

Physical examination: A lesion of approximately 1.5 cm x 2 cm in the patient's left middle finger, surrounded by redness and swelling, unclear boundaries, surface rupture, partial scabbing, and no tenderness during compression. She was treated at the previous clinic, common infectious diseases were considered, and was given intravenous infusion treatment: cefotaxime and clarithromycin, and erythromycin ointment was applied externally. She came to our hospital after poor treatment results. The patient has had hypertension for 3 years, no other systemic diseases, no similar medical history among family members, no history of drug or food allergies.

Methods: Clean the wound and remove the scab from the affected area, and use a surgical blade to scrape off necrotic tissue. Send the scraped tissue for pathogen testing: tissue bacterial culture+identification (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, MALDI-TOF), tissue acid fast staining, and tissue metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Other auxiliary examinations: blood routine, urine routine, blood fat, liver function, and kidney function.

Results: Tissue bacterial culture+identification: growth of Mycobacterium marinum; Acid fast staining of tissue: positive; Tissue mNGS: Mycobacterium marinum. Clinical treatment plan: clarithromycin 0.5 g bid po+rifampicin 0.45 g qd po+5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) qw+boric acid wash wet compress tid. After 14 days of treatment, the area of redness and swelling significantly decreased, and the degree of redness and swelling was significantly reduced compared to admission. The degree of ulcer edge protrusion was also reduced compared to admission. There was a small amount of exudation from the wound, and no necrotic tissue was observed. The patient improved and was discharged.

Conclusions: This article reports a case of finger infection with Mycobacterium marinum. Mycobacterium marinum was quickly and accurately identified by mNGS, and reasonable treatment measures were adopted clinically. The patient improved and was discharged. This study has important reference significance for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of Mycobacterium infection. In addition, mNGS as a novel detection method has considerable prospects for rapid diagnosis of pathogens.

Background: Type III Bartter syndrome (BS) is an autosomal recessive renal tubular disease caused by the mutation of the chloride voltage-gated channel Kb (CLCNKB) gene. This condition is characterized by renal sodium loss, hypokalemia, metabolic alkaliosis, high renin, and high aldosterone levels.

Methods: We report a case of adult type III BS caused by a novel complex heterozygous mutation of the CLCNKB gene. The peripheral blood was extracted for whole genome DNA extraction, and the genome exon region of BS- related genes, was predicted by high-throughput sequencing and protein function prediction software. The selected mutation sites were verified by sequencing with Sanger method.

Results: The new complex heterozygous mutations of CLCNKB include heterozygous deletion of exon 2 - 20 of CLCNKB and nonsense mutation of exon 19, c.2010G>A (p.W670X). This complex heterozygous mutation has not been reported in humans.

Conclusions: For patients with high clinical suspicion of BS, a clear diagnosis should be made through genetic test-ing to improve patients' quality of life and provide genetic guidance.