Performances and Reliability of Bruker Microflex LT and VITEK MS MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Systems for the Identification of Clinical Microorganisms.

In clinical microbiology laboratories, routine microbial identification is mostly performed using culture based methodologies requiring 24 to 72 hours from culturing to identification. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technology has been established as a cost effective, reliable, and faster alternative identification platform. In this study, we evaluated the reliability of the two available MALDI-TOF MS systems for their routine clinical level identification accuracy and efficiency in a clinical microbiology laboratory setting.

Urinary gamma-glutamyl transferase-to-creatinine ratio as an indicator of tubular function in Bence Jones proteinuria.

Increased urinary gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity suggests early renal tubular damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the urinary GGT activity as a marker of renal injury in different types of Bence Jones Proteinuria (BJP). One hundred and three individuals with BJP were included in the study.

Is valganciclovir really effective in primary effusion lymphoma: case report of an HIV(-) EBV(-) HHV8(+) patient.

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) associated lymphoproliferative disease characterized by effusions in body cavities, and lack of tumor mass. Valganciclovir is a treatment option in PEL, however, little is known about its clinical efficacy. Ganciclovir has been reported to be effective in HHV8(+) multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) by decreasing the plasma HHV8 load, which is an important factor in the induction and persistence of MCD, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), and PEL.

Serosurveillance study on transmission of H5N1 virus during a 2006 avian influenza epidemic.

In 2006 an outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) in Turkey caused 12 human infections, including four deaths. We conducted a serological survey to determine the extent of subclinical infection caused by the outbreak. Single serum samples were collected from five individuals with avian influenza whose nasopharyngeal swabs tested positive for H5 RNA by polymerase chain reaction, 28 family contacts of the cases, 95 poultry cullers, 75 individuals known to have had contact with diseased chickens and 81 individuals living in the region with no known contact with infected chickens and/or patients.