Diagnostic value of conidia associated with pulmonary oxalosis: evidence of an Aspergillus niger infection.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) material is commonly received in cytopathology for the exclusion of microorganisms. When crystalline material suggestive of calcium oxalate is present in the specimen, a search for fungal elements should be undertaken. Aspergillus niger is the hyaline mold associated with the presence of oxalate crystals.

Immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent staining of Rickettsia rickettsii in skin biopsies. A comparative study.

Objective: To compare immunofluorescent and immunoperoxidase staining of Rickettsia rickettsii in skin biopsies of patients suspected of having Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).

Design: Immunofluorescent staining results for R rickettsii from skin biopsies of patients suspected of having RMSF were obtained by computer and chart review. Immunoperoxidase staining for R rickettsii was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin biopsies from the same patient population.

Laboratory tests in evaluation of acute febrile illness in pediatric emergency room patients.

The rising costs of health care and the movement for health care reform have focused attention on methods of cost containment. Of routine laboratory and radiologic procedures, complete blood cell count (CBC) and determination of serum electrolyte values rank as high as 2nd and 9th in overall cost. We retrospectively studied use of the clinical laboratory to aid diagnosis of an acute infectious event in a pediatric emergency department population.

Predictors of prognosis and risk of acute renal failure in patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Background: Acute renal failure has long been associated with severe Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). Despite many descriptions of the protean manifestations of this disease, relatively little is known concerning the risk factors for acute renal failure. Only a few studies have examined the outcome of patients infected with Rickettsia rickettsii who develop renal insufficiency, and these studies had methodological problems.