UK Patient Access to Low-Protein Prescription Foods in Phenylketonuria (PKU): An Uneasy Path.

Background: Special low-protein foods are essential in the dietary treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU). In the UK, these are available on prescription through the General Practitioners (GPs) and distributed via nutritional home delivery companies or pharmacies.

Methods: A 58-item online non-validated semi-structured questionnaire was emailed to British Inherited Metabolic Disease Group (BIMDG) dietitians and dietetic support workers (DSW)/administrators working in PKU to ascertain the main system issues and errors with the supply of low-protein prescription foods (LPPF).

Caregivers' nutrition-related knowledge, perceptions, practices and barriers regarding the therapeutic diet for classical galactosaemia.

Background: Classical galactosaemia is a life-threatening disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, and the primary treatment is a lifelong galactose-restricted diet commenced in infancy. Adherence to restrictive diets can be burdensome for patients and their families; however, little is known about the impact on caregivers.

Aim: This study aims to determine the nutrition-related knowledge, perceptions, practices, and barriers of caregivers related to the therapeutic diet for classical galactosaemia.

A multicentre verification study of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus assay.

Objectives: The aim of this verification study was to compare the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) to the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube (QFT-GIT). The new QFT-Plus test contains an extra antigen tube which, according to the manufacturer additionally elicits a CD8 T-cell response above the CD4 T-cell response. We assessed the value of this tube in detecting recent latent tuberculosis infections.

Predictive value of Borrelia burgdorferi IgG antibody levels in patients referred to a tertiary Lyme centre.

A two-step testing strategy is recommended in serological testing for Lyme borreliosis; positive and indeterminate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results are confirmed with immunoblots. Several ELISAs quantify the concentration of antibodies tested, however, no recommendation exists for an upper cut-off value at which an IgG ELISA is sufficient and the immunoblot can be omitted. The study objective was to determine at which IgG antibody level an immunoblot does not have any additional predictive value compared to ELISA results.

Measurement of external rotation of the shoulder in patients with obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

A discussion is presented concerning scoring while assessing shoulder function. Divergence in observation and in interpretation of what is observed may give rise to serious disagreement about indications for surgery. Agreement regarding starting points of measurement is essential.