A comparison of anti-nuclear antibody quantification using automated enzyme immunoassays and immunofluorescence assays.

Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) have traditionally been evaluated using indirect fluorescence assays (IFA) with HEp-2 cells. Quantitative immunoassays (EIA) have replaced the use of HEp-2 cells in some laboratories. Here, we evaluated ANA in 400 consecutive and unselected routinely referred patients using IFA and automated EIA techniques.

[Avascular necrosis in a man with HIV infection].

Recently, a high incidence of avascular necrosis (AVN) has been reported in HIV-infected individuals. We present a further case of AVN of both femoral heads, the left distal femur and the proximal tibia in a 19-year-old HIV-positive man. The patient complained of severe pain in both hips, which had lasted 10 months.