Serum protein electrophoresis patterns in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals not on antiretroviral treatment.

Background: B lymphocyte stimulation is described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and results in ongoing immunoglobulin production with abnormal serum protein electrophoresis patterns. We hypothesized that serum protein electrophoresis patterns would be abnormal in untreated HIV subjects and correlate with markers of disease severity.

Methods: Serum protein electrophoresis was performed on 70 HIV-positive, clinically well treatment-naïve subjects and 42 HIV-negative controls and correlated with markers of disease severity, namely CD4+ counts, viral loads, IgG and albumin.

Application of liquid-based transepithelial flexible brush cytology in the detection of high-grade laryngeal mucosal lesions.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of liquid-based transepithelial flexible brush cytology (LBTFBC) in the detection of high-grade laryngeal mucosal lesions.

Methods: Diagnostic accuracies of LBTFBC and flexible biopsy (FB) were compared with the gold standard of biopsy under general anaesthesia (BUA) in 49 and 46 patients, respectively. Using a flexible laryngoscope, transepithelial cytology and biopsy specimens were obtained with the aid of flexible brushes and biopsy forceps.

The cardiovascular risk marker asymmetric dimethylarginine is elevated in asymptomatic, untreated HIV-1 infection and correlates with markers of immune activation and disease progression.

Background: As lifespan in HIV infection increases, cardiovascular disease has emerged as a cause of morbidity and mortality. Asymmetric dimethylarginine is an established marker of endothelial dysfunction and predicts cardiovascular events. The role of asymmetric dimethylarginine in HIV-related cardiovascular disease has not been established.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: the cytology spectrum with review of the literature.

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is a rare, transient panniculitis of full-term infants. Diagnosis is usually made clinically; however, a biopsy is sometimes required. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) offers an alternative to biopsy.

Cytomorphological patterns of M. bovis BCG and M. tuberculosis on fine needle aspiration biopsies: does HIV make a difference?

To determine if fine needle aspiration (FNAB) of mycobacterial lymphadenopathy can differentiate infection with M. bovis BCG (BCG) from M. tuberculosis (TB) and whether HIV status affects discriminatory cytological features.

Diagnosing mycobacterial lymphadenitis in children using fine needle aspiration biopsy: cytomorphology, ZN staining and autofluorescence -- making more of less.

Although the incidence of TB has stabilized or declined in most world regions, it is increasing in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Eastern Mediterranean, fuelled by the HIV pandemic. More than 4,000 people died daily from TB-related illnesses in 2005. TB is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in these developing countries, and there is an urgent need for rapid and definitive modalities for mycobacterial diagnosis in children.

Coagulant and fibrinolytic status in tuberculous meningitis.

Background: The long-term neurologic sequelae of childhood tuberculous meningitis (TBM) mainly result from ischemia owing to cerebral vasculitis. Deep vein thrombosis occurs in adults with pulmonary tuberculosis owing to hypercoaguability. The present study aimed to investigate coagulation status during acute childhood TBM.

Pitfalls with rapid HIV antibody testing in HIV-infected children in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Background: Rapid HIV antibody tests are commonly used for HIV diagnosis in the developing world. These tests are generally reported as sensitive, despite paucity of evaluations in paediatric populations.

Objectives: We tested specimens of paediatric patients, known to be HIV-infected, to detect any false negative tests and determine associations with such an outcome.