Successful Implementation of Expanded Newborn Screening in the Philippines Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) began as a research project in the Philippines in 1996 and was mandated by law in 2004. The program initially included screening for five conditions, with a sixth added in 2012. As screening technology and medical knowledge have advanced, NBS programs in countries with developed economies have also expanded, not only in the number of newborns screened but also in the number of conditions included in the screening.

Structural analysis of hepatitis B surface antigen by monoclonal antibodies.

A method has been developed for the analysis of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) antigenic structure at the molecular level that creates "fingerprints" or "signatures" of various hepatitis B viral (HBV) strains. This technique employs high affinity IgM and IgG monoclonal antibodies (anti-HBs) directed against distinct and separate determinants on HBsAg. In performing this antigenic structural analysis, separate binding curves for different monoclonal anti-HBs are generated by measuring immunoreactivity in serial dilutions of HBsAg-positive serum by radioimmunoassay.

Stage-specific and common antigens of Brugia malayi identified with monoclonal antibodies.

To identify parasite antigens that trigger protective, pathogenic, and allergic immune responses during filarial infections, we generated a series of monoclonal antibodies to infective larvae, adult worms, and microfilariae of Brugia malayi, a human pathogen. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the reaction patterns of these monoclonal antibodies indicates the existence of stage-specific antigens of B. malayi, as well as of antigens shared by different stages of this parasite and by other related and unrelated helminths.

A monoclonal antibody to surface antigens on microfilariae of Brugia malayi reduces microfilaremia in infected jirds.

A monoclonal antibody to surface antigens of Brugia malayi microfilariae promotes the adherence of peripheral blood cells to microfilariae in vitro and reduces microfilaremia in vivo. The antibody reacts with epitopes present on two stage-specific antigens with estimated molecular weights of 70,000 and 75,000 daltons.

Primary cutaneous plasmacytoma. Report of a case and review of the literature.

Clinical, laboratory, and pathologic findings from a case of malignant extramedullary plasmacytoma of the skin are presented. To our knowledge, this is the 11th reported case of extramedullary plasmacytoma of the skin and the second reported case with a complete follow-up and postmortem examination. In these two cases, surgical excision of the tumor mass, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy were ineffective.