Articles tagged with Serological Tests
A new study found that Zika virus was as commonly confirmed as dengue in Canadian travellers returning from the Americas and Caribbean, but more severe. The study revealed 10% of cases with severe complications, including Guillain-Barré syndrome and congenital infection.
Researchers found significant differences among dialysis testing methods, which can lead to inaccurate information and expensive nutritional interventions. They recommend revising federal guidelines to address the inconsistencies and improve care for patients with end-stage kidney disease.
The USPSTF recommends against routine serologic screening for genital herpes infection in asymptomatic individuals, citing the lack of a long asymptomatic period and the high false-positive rate of current tests. This decision is based on the low test accuracy and potential harms of early detection and intervention.
A retrospective cohort study found that chronic kidney disease patients who achieve target urate levels show improvement in kidney function. The study suggests that urate-lowering therapy may help stabilize or improve kidney function in patients with significantly elevated serum uric acid and moderate kidney failure.
A new review provides a comprehensive guide for diagnosing and managing food allergies in children and adults. The study highlights the importance of clinical history, diagnostic testing, and supervised oral food challenges to accurately diagnose and treat food allergies.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that urine tests are not reliable for detecting dehydration in older adults. The researchers tested 383 participants over 65 and found that urine tests were too low to be useful, missing some dehydrated individuals and incorrectly identifying others.
A new skin test called C-Tb has shown high specificity and concordance with interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs), making it a potential alternative for detecting latent TB infection. The test is easy to administer, produces fewer false positives, and may be significantly less expensive than IGRAs, addressing the limitations of curre...
DZIF scientists have developed optimized assays and a control for quantifying viruses in blood and urine, improving the reliability of current tests. The new tests are more sensitive to low viral concentrations and comparable across different strains.
A study found that nearly half of routine tests for monoclonal gammopathy are unnecessary and costly. An algorithm-driven approach can improve efficiency and reduce healthcare costs by putting more decision-making power in the hands of pathologists.
Researchers at Georgia State University have developed a rapid and cost-effective method for detecting ulcerative colitis using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The technique, which involves testing serum for increased presence of mannose, shows promise as a personalized diagnostic tool.
The researchers created a portable, paper-based electrochemical 'immunosensing' platform for rapid diagnosis of HIV and HCV co-infections. The device can detect HIV and HCV antibodies at lower concentrations than existing tests, with high accuracy and sensitivity.
Researchers developed a new test that detected mesothelioma 4-10 years before symptoms appeared, using a specific protein marker. The ONCOblot test detected the ENOX2 protein in serum samples from asbestos-exposed individuals, paving the way for earlier cancer detection and potentially reducing deaths.
Researchers have developed a blood test that can detect subtle signs of concussion in children with 94% accuracy, identifying the presence of traumatic brain injuries and severity levels. This simple yet effective test uses biomarkers found in glial cells surrounding neurons in the brain.
Researchers at UTMB created a novel, Eilat virus-based diagnostic test that can diagnose chikungunya in under two hours and is more affordable than existing tests. The test uses the structural proteins of the Eilat virus to mimic the chikungunya virus without replicating in humans.
Researchers have found a way to accurately screen for dehydration in older adults using routine blood tests for sodium, potassium, urea, and glucose. A simple mathematical equation can tell whether an older person is drinking enough fluid, reducing the risk of poor health outcomes such as disability and death.
Physicians should use validated clinical prediction rules to estimate pre-test probability of PE. In low-risk patients, D-dimer testing can provide additional risk stratification. Imaging is indicated for high-risk patients or those with a high clinical presentation. Age-adjusted D-dimer thresholds can help determine imaging necessity.
Canadians with nonspecific symptoms like joint pain and fatigue may receive false-positive results from commercial US laboratories, as many use unproven testing methods. Tests at the National Microbiology Laboratory of Canada using CDC guidelines are more accurate.
A nationwide study found that allergy prevalence is consistent across the US, with regional variations in specific types of allergies. Children under 5 in southern states showed a higher prevalence of allergies to dust mites and cockroaches.
A new mobile device can perform laboratory-quality HIV testing in just 15 minutes and sync results with patient health records globally. It also detects weakly positive samples missed by existing rapid tests, revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment for people in resource-limited settings.
Among eligible women, 19.1% underwent risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) and 39.6% used screening procedures, with women receiving a positive BRCA test result having increased odds of these interventions, while true-negative results were associated with reduced odds.
Researchers at BIDMC and Diagnostics For All have created a simple and reliable point-of-care liver function test that can be conducted for pennies per test. The device uses a droplet of blood from a finger prick to deliver results in 15 minutes, with greater than 90 percent accuracy compared to the gold standard automated platform test.
Researchers identified a key mechanism behind diabetes-related cognitive impairment, finding that insulin resistance triggers inflammation leading to cortical atrophy and brain dysfunction. The study provides new insights into the disease's impact on the brain and highlights the importance of managing and preventing diabetes.
Researchers found that commercial blood serum antibody tests are not accurate or cost-effective for diagnosing active TB, leading to more false-positive diagnoses and secondary infections. The World Health Organization has recommended against using these tests in the diagnosis of active TB.
Commercial serological tests used to detect active TB do not accurately diagnose the disease, often producing false positives or negatives. In contrast, sputum smear microscopy is found to be more cost-effective and should take priority in tuberculosis control efforts.
A new model, fullPIERS, predicts adverse maternal outcomes in pre-eclampsia with high accuracy and identifies risk categories for clinicians. The model is built on six variables and performs well in predicting outcomes within 48 hours of hospital admission.
The new test uses mass spectrometry to analyze metabolites in a single drop of blood serum, accurately identifying women with ovarian cancer in all tested patients. Further testing will be conducted on 500 patients to confirm the results and explore its potential for detecting other types of cancers.
Researchers have developed a diagnostic blood test that can identify lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare but serious lung disease affecting women. The test analyzes serum VEGF-D levels, showing high accuracy in diagnosing LAM, and may help screen for the disease in women with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.
A systematic review of food allergies found limited evidence on diagnosis, management, and prevention due to lack of uniformity in diagnostic criteria. Current treatments only target symptoms, not the underlying allergies.
Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy symptoms show signs for over a year before diagnosis and disease-specific treatment, highlighting the need for early detection and intervention. A simple and inexpensive blood test could accelerate this process, enabling timely treatment and improving outcomes.
New guidelines developed by the American Academy of Neurology identify a combination of blood tests and other specialized assessments as the most helpful for finding the cause of neuropathy. These tests can often point to common causes of neuropathy, such as diabetes or heredity.
Neuropathy, a degenerative nerve disorder, has few evidence-based standards for evaluation and management. New guidelines recommend screening laboratory blood tests and genetic testing for accurate diagnosis. The guidelines also suggest considering specialized tests to evaluate neuropathies with autonomic dysfunction.
The study found that the level of H. pylori IgG antibodies has limited value in diagnosing active peptic ulcer disease and does not show association with gastric mucosal morphology. A negative serology test result is reliable for excluding H. pylori infection, making it useful for screening purposes.
A study found that a 3-variable model of serum fibrosis markers, including HA, TIMP-1, and platelet count, can accurately predict cirrhosis in patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C. The model outperformed other published models and showed strong correlation with collagen content.
Researchers have made significant advances in treating and diagnosing LAM through the use of sirolimus and serum VEGF-D test, showing improved lung function and reduced tumor growth. These studies provide hope for patients suffering from this deadly disease, paving the way for targeted therapies.
Scientists have identified Marburg virus RNA genome and antibodies in African fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus), providing new insight into a deadly disease that has long baffled epidemiologists. The discovery, published in PLoS ONE, offers potential for understanding transmission and development of a vaccine or drug therapy.
NIST has created a new Standard Reference Material (SRM) to help diagnose chronic kidney disease more accurately. The SRM consists of frozen human blood serum with two different concentrations of creatinine, which is a metabolic by-product of muscles.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions recommends assessing kidney function, ensuring patient hydration, and minimizing NSAID use to lower the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy. CIN is estimated to occur in 1-3% of individuals undergoing procedures with contrast dyes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a rapid diagnostic test for cocaine detection using tiny gold spheres and aptamers. The test strip, which can be used with just a sample dip, accurately identifies cocaine presence and has broad practical application potential.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a simple 'dipstick' test for detecting cocaine and other drugs using DNA-gold nanoparticle technology. The test is highly sensitive and selective, allowing for quick screening of individuals for various substances.
A study by researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine identified CD23, a protein in the intestinal tract, as a receptor for IgE associated with allergic reactions. CD23 levels were found to correlate strongly with food-specific IgE in stool samples from patients with allergies.
Researchers at Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine developed an accurate and cost-effective alternative to animal-derived insulin test kits. The new kit uses a synthetic medium, eliminating the need for animal serum and cells, and is expected to sell particularly well in Europe due to concerns about mad cow disease.
Researchers found that patients with osteoporosis had a significantly higher prevalence of celiac disease than those without osteoporosis. Treatment with a gluten-free diet resulted in improved bone mineral density in individuals with celiac disease and osteoporosis, making serologic screening worthwhile for this population.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study successfully integrated the Affinity/Avidity test with the STARHS protocol to detect new HIV cases. The dual testing method showed a significant reduction in false positive diagnoses, resulting in more accurate monitoring of new infections.
Researchers have identified up to 28 proteins in saliva, including biomarkers for diseases like cancer. Saliva testing may become a life-saving alternative to blood tests in developing nations where early diagnosis is critical.
The CDC recommends testing C-reactive protein levels in patients with intermediate risk of cardiovascular disease, and in those with acute coronary syndromes or stable coronary disease. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of standardizing laboratory test results to accurately measure hsCRP levels.
The growing trend of consumer ordering lab tests is driven by convenience and a desire for control over healthcare. Key findings include that middle-aged or younger groups are most interested in DAT, with income brackets, health status, and insurance playing significant roles in adoption.
The new guidelines provide recommendations for evaluating children with global developmental delay, including the use of cytogenetic studies and molecular testing. Early diagnosis can help determine the cause of the disorder and assist in developing a treatment plan.
Researchers found that nucleic acid testing can identify acute HIV infection in people who are most contagious, missing routine antibody tests. This can help prevent further transmission and improve long-term prognosis for those diagnosed early.
A simple immunochromatographic assay detected specific antibodies in the blood of untreated coeliac patients, with high accuracy and speed. The test can be done in a doctor's surgery and is useful for screening patients with untypical symptoms or risk factors for coeliac disease.
A study found that employees with elevated or risky levels of alcohol consumption showed an increase in sick days. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) tests were used to identify risk consumers, while the gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) test was used for comparison purposes.
A new non-invasive skin test can measure cholesterol levels in just three minutes, potentially offering a simple way to assess risk of heart disease. The test found that those with the highest skin cholesterol levels also had the greatest number of diseased arteries.
A new blood marker, MIRF (Myocardial Ischemia Rating Function), has been found to be highly correlated with the incidence and severity of coronary artery disease. Combining this marker with age and gender can enhance disease predictability, allowing for a simple screening test.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine detected genetic mutations specific to cancer in blood samples of six patients with head and neck cancer. The presence of DNA alterations in the blood was associated with large, advanced tumors and poor outcomes, including increased mortality rates.