Pathological Mechanisms and Novel Testing Methods in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon, but potentially disabling or even deadly, thrombotic microangiopathy with a well-studied mechanism of ADAMTS13 deficiency or dysfunction. While established treatments are largely effective, the standard ADAMTS13 testing required to definitively diagnose TTP may cause delays in diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the need for rapid and effective diagnostic methods. Additionally, the heterogeneous presentation and varied inciting events of TTP suggest more variation in its mechanism than previously thought, implying three potential pathways rather than the accepted two.

Retinoic Acid-Induced Regulation of Inflammatory Pathways Is a Potential Sepsis Treatment.

Sepsis is among the most dangerous known diseases, resulting from the dysregulation of the innate immune system in a process that is characterized largely by proinflammatory cytokines. It manifests as an excessive immune response to a pathogen and often leads to life-threatening complications such as shock and multiple-organ failure. Within the past several decades, much progress has been made to better understand the pathophysiology of sepsis and improve treatment.

Presumed antiphospholipid syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: An infrequent association.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease that demonstrates antiphospholipid antibodies that cause hypercoagulability and leads to venous and arterial thrombosis. Autoantibodies to a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type I motif, member 13 (ADAMTS 13) play a role in the microthrombosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in APS patients.

Characterization of Pathogenic Sepsis Etiologies and Patient Profiles: A Novel Approach to Triage and Treatment.

Pathogenic sepsis is not a monolithic condition. Three major types of sepsis exist within this category: bacterial, viral, and fungal, each with its own mechanism of action. While similar in symptoms, the etiologies and immune mechanisms of these types differ enough that a discrete patient base can be recognized for each one.

A Novel Combination of Biomarkers to Herald the Onset of Sepsis Prior to the Manifestation of Symptoms.

Sepsis, which kills over 200,000 patients and costs over $20 billion in the United States alone, presents a constant but preventable challenge in the healthcare system. Among the more challenging problems that it presents is misdiagnosis due to conflation with other inflammatory processes, as its mechanisms are identical to those of other inflammatory states. Unfortunately, current biomarker tests can only assess the severity and mortality risk of each case, whereas no single test exists that can predict sepsis prior to the onset of symptoms for the purpose of pre-emptive care and monitoring.