Cutaneous manifestations in patients positive for anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies.

Cutaneous diseases can indicate the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency of cutaneous findings in HCV infection and HCV RNA positive cases in Turkey. Fifty consecutive patients positive for anti-HCV antibodies,negative controls, and patients positive and negative for HCV RNA were examined for any cutaneous findings that could be associated with HCV infection.

PCR evaluation of false-positive signals from two automated blood-culture systems.

Rapid detection of micro-organisms from blood is one of the most critical functions of a diagnostic microbiology laboratory. Automated blood-culture systems reduce the time needed to detect positive cultures, and reduce specimen handling. The false-positive rate of such systems is 1-10%.