Immunoglobulin D and cardiac amyloidosis: development and a case illustration.

Amyloidosis results from extra-cellular deposition of proteins which interfere with tissue function. We report the case of a patient with pathological heart involvement which is caused by immunoglobulin D amyloidosis, and review current data on the amyloidois diagnosis and management.

Sensitivity of parasitological tests in imported Plasmodium vivax malaria in adults and impact of chemoprophylaxis and attack type.

Background: Plasmodium vivax is the second most common species among cases of imported malaria diagnosed in Europe. The objective of this study is to describe the sensitivity of the parasitological tests in imported P. vivax malaria, and the impact of chemoprophylaxis and attack type (primary infection or relapse).

Effectiveness of latex agglutination slide test in the diagnosis of imported invasive amoebiasis in the emergency department.

We compared a latex agglutination test (LAT) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect hemagglutination assay in the diagnosis of invasive amoebiasis. A retrospective biological records review has included 639 patients for whom these three serological tests were performed. The sensitivity of the LAT was 97.

[Internal audit in medical laboratory: what means of control for an effective audit process?].

To prepare the French Accreditation Committee (COFRAC) visit for initial certification of our medical laboratory, our direction evaluated its quality management system (QMS) and all its technical activities. This evaluation was performed owing an internal audit. This audit was outsourced.

[Heterophilic antibodies: be carefull!].

The determination of plasma level of cardiac troponin I or T is recommended by the French Health Authority to diagnose myocardial infarction. However false positive results associated with the presence of heterophilic antibodies are described in the literature. This interference can lead to unnecessary invasive procedures, sometimes even dangerous.

[Systemic amyloidosis revealed by an intense nephrotic syndrome].

We report the case of a patient with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome which is caused by a renal amyloidosis. This clinical case is characterized by intensity of clinicals and biologicals abnormalities and by its uncommun cause. We also review current data on the nephrotic syndrome as well as on the systemic amyloidosis and to evoke the indications of the immunoglobulin free-light-chains quantification in the diagnostic approach.