Cost-effectiveness analysis of strategies using new immunological diagnostic tests of latent tuberculosis infection before TNF-blockers therapy.

Unlabelled: Several tests have been proposed to detect latent tuberculosis (LTB).

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different interferon-gamma release assays based strategies used to screen LTB before tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blockers initiation.

Methods: Consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis or Crohn's disease for whom TNF-blockers were considered, were recruited in 15 tertiary care centres.

Satellite DNA as a target for TaqMan real-time PCR detection of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

SUMMARY The pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a major pathogen of conifers, which impacts on forest health, natural ecosystem stability and international trade. As a consequence, it has been listed as a quarantine organism in Europe. A real-time PCR approach based on TaqMan chemistry was developed to detect this organism.

Towards specific diagnosis of plant-parasitic nematodes using DNA oligonucleotide microarray technology: a case study with the quarantine species Meloidogyne chitwoodi.

In order to investigate the feasibility of a microarray-based method for diagnostics of plant-parasitic nematodes, we have developed a DNA oligonucleotide microarray to detect the nematode species Meloidogyne chitwoodi, which is listed as a quarantine organism in Europe. Oligonucleotide capture probes were designed from nematode SCAR and satellite DNA sequences and spotted onto epoxy-coated glass slides. PCR products were generated using specific primers, labeled with Cyanine 3 or Cyanine 5 fluorescent dyes, and hybridized overnight to the microarray.

Health-related quality of life after 1 year of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Objective: We investigated the impact of the first year of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on health-related quality of life (HRQL).

Methods: Medical data for patients in the French APROCO cohort were collected at enrollment (M0) and month 12 (M12). A self-administered questionnaire gathered information about HRQL (Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey) and toxicity-related symptoms.