Blood biomarker algorithms for the diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory infections.

Unlabelled: The correct diagnosis of acute infections as to bacteria, mycoplasma or virus is a clinical challenge and has a great impact on the therapeutic decisions. Current diagnostic tests of mycoplasma pneumoniae infections of the respiratory tract such as PCR and serology are either somewhat unreliable or slow and do not entirely meet the clinical needs of accurate and fast diagnosis. The aim of this report was to examine a panel of candidate biomarkers and their capacity to distinguish mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory infections from respiratory infections caused by either bacterial or virus.

HNL (Human Neutrophil Lipocalin) and a multimarker approach to the distinction between bacterial and viral infections.

Objectives: The distinction between bacterial and viral causes of acute infections is a major clinical challenge. In this report we investigate the diagnostic performance in this regard of nine candidate biomarkers together with HNL (Human Neutrophil Lipocalin).

Methods: Blood was obtained from patients with symptoms of infectious (n = 581).

Human Neutrophil Lipocalin in Activated Whole Blood Is a Specific and Rapid Diagnostic Biomarker of Bacterial Infections in the Respiratory Tract.

The distinction between bacterial and viral causes of infections of the respiratory tract is a major but important clinical challenge. We investigated the diagnostic performance of human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) in respiratory tract infections compared to those of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). Patients were recruited from the emergency department and from a primary care unit ( = 162).

Human Neutrophil Lipocalin as a Superior Diagnostic Means To Distinguish between Acute Bacterial and Viral Infections.

The distinction between causes of acute infections is a major clinical challenge. Current biomarkers, however, are not sufficiently accurate. Human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) concentrations in serum or whole blood activated by formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine (fMLP) were shown to distinguish acute infections of bacterial or viral cause with high accuracy.

Human neutrophil lipocalin in fMLP-activated whole blood as a diagnostic means to distinguish between acute bacterial and viral infections.

Unlabelled: The distinction between causes of acute infections is a major clinical challenge. Current biomarkers, however, are not sufficiently accurate. Human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) in serum distinguishes acute infections with high accuracy, but in the emergency setting the assay time should be <15-20min, which excludes the use of serum samples.

Tissue localization and the establishment of a sensitive immunoassay of the newly discovered human phospholipase B-precursor (PLB-P).

Human phospholipase B-precursor (PLB-P) is a newly identified and purified protein from human neutrophils. The precise function of PLB-P in vivo is not yet known. Its existence in neutrophils and the enzymatic activity against phospholipids imply a role in the defence against invading microorganisms and in the generation of lipid mediators of inflammation.

Effect of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in elderly persons in years of low influenza activity.

Background: The present prospective study was conducted from 2003-2005, among all individuals 65 years and older in Uppsala County, a region with 300 000 inhabitants situated close to the Stockholm urban area.The objective of this study was to assess the preventive effect of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in reducing hospitalisation and length of hospital stay (LOHS) even during periods of low influenza activity. The specificity of the apparent vaccine associations were evaluated in relation to the influenza seasons.

Dynamics of the immune response against extracellular products of group A streptococci during infection.

The immune response against the infecting group A streptococcus (GAS) extracellular products (EP) was determined in acute- and convalescent-phase sera from 75 patients with different clinical manifestations of GAS infection. All EP elicited a high proliferative response in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In patients with bacteremia, low neutralization in acute-phase sera was associated with development of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Cell surface expression of FcgammaRI (CD64) on neutrophils and monocytes in patients with influenza A, with and without complications.

The expression of the Fcgamma-receptor I (FcgammaRI), CD64 on normal neutrophils is up-regulated during bacterial infections. CD64 is a promising diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of acute infections. The aim was to study surface expressions of CD64 on neutrophils and monocytes in patients with influenza A with and without complications and evaluate these as diagnostic tools in comparison with serum levels of HNL (human neutrophil lipocalin).

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for human carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 8, a biological marker of granulocyte activities in vivo.

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 8 (CEACAM8), also known as CD66b, NCA-95 and CD67, is a highly glycosylated protein expressed only in neutrophils and eosinophils in humans. The precise function of CEACAM8 remains unclear. As a member of the family of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), it may play a role in the interaction between granulocytes or between granulocytes and epithelial cells.

Evaluation of laboratory markers for the detection of infections in open-heart surgery patients.

This study compared the efficiency of interleukin-6 (IL-6), human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL), C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count for the early detection of postoperative bacterial infections after open-heart surgery. These laboratory markers were determined preoperatively and monitored daily during the first 6 postoperative days. Postoperative bacterial infections were diagnosed in 17 of 54 studied patients needing at least 3 d of intensive care.