A new diagnostic index for bacterial conjunctivitis in primary care. A re-derivation study.

Background: Eighty per cent of primary care patients with infectious conjunctivitis are treated with antibiotics, although in only 30%, there is a bacterial cause. An accurate diagnostic index to distinguish bacterial from viral conjunctivitis may help reduce unnecessary antibiotics.

Objectives: To validate and, if necessary, improve an existing diagnostic index for bacterial conjunctivitis.

[Weak ankles...].

A new multidisciplinary guideline has been created to address the high incidence of acute inversion trauma of the ankle and the high number of patients with persistent symptoms and recurrence. Although the guideline's aim is to decrease the number of persistent symptoms and recurrence, risk- analysis of these post-traumatic symptoms is lacking. Treatment is the same for all athletes: anyone who sustains an inversion trauma needs a semi-rigid brace and exercise therapy.

Diagnosis of conjunctivitis in primary care: comparison of two different culture procedures.

Background: In general practice, infectious conjunctivitis is a common and mostly (64%) self-limiting disorder. In case of an aberrant course or severe symptoms, a general practitioner may take a culture. Direct inoculation is considered the reference standard, but usually a swab is sent to a laboratory.

Simultaneous regulation of CD2 adhesion and signaling functions by a novel CD2 monoclonal antibody.

Accessory molecules on T cells can support adhesion and transduce agonistic signals that facilitate Ag receptor-induced T cell activation. The T cell differentiation Ag CD2 may exert both functions, as has been amply demonstrated in studies with CD2 mAbs. In addition, experiments in which either purified ligand (CD58) or transfected CD2 and CD58 molecules were used have confirmed this notion.