Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) level as a marker for significant coronary artery disease.

Background: Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO), the rate-limiting enzyme in the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway of tryptophan (Trp) degradation, is modulated by inflammation, and is regarded as a key molecule driving immunotolerance and immunosuppressive mechanisms. Little is known about IDO activity in patients with active coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients who were scheduled to undergo coronary angiography.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T in stable patients undergoing pharmacological stress testing.

Background: Acute changes in high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) are induced by myocardial ischemia during exercise stress testing, but there are no reports of pharmacological stress testing.

Hypothesis: The pattern of troponin release by myocardial ischemia-induced pharmacological stress testing differs according to the ischemic burden in stable patients.

Methods: In total, 250 patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent pharmacological stress magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Comparative evaluation of three different treponemal enzyme immunoassays for syphilis.

Background: To reduce human errors and subjective interpretation, automation is currently a trend. However, replacing any tests with automation must first be validated.

Objective: Evaluate the EIA tests performance characteristics of three commercially available enzyme immunoassays; Enzygnost Syphilis (Dade Behring Ltd), Syphilis EIA 480 (Newmarket Laboratory Ltd) and ICE* Syphilis (Abbott Murex).