White blood cell count and total protein concentration to predict the absence of microcrystals in synovial fluid.

Background: Synovial fluid analysis is essential for diagnosing crystal-induced arthritis. Monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals in gout and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPP) crystals in pseudogout trigger inflammatory reactions that result in white blood cell (WBC) activation. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of synovial fluid WBC count and total protein concentration for the absence of microcrystals.

Description of interference in the measurement of troponin T by a high-sensitivity method.

Introduction: Measurement of high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) has become an essential step in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. This high-sensitivity method allows quantifying the concentration of troponin T in blood of healthy subjects with a lower inaccuracy compared to previous reagent generations. However, the presence of certain compounds in the sample may interfere with the result.