ABSTRACT
The Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube [MGIT] and Gen-Probe Amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis Direct [AMTD] test were evaluated using 52 respiratory clinical specimens collected from suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Microbiological culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium was used as the reference method. The 52 sputum specimens, 29 [55.8%] acid fast smear positive and 23 [44.2%] acid fast smear negative, were cultivated in liquid MGIT and on solid U media. The recovary rate of MTB by MGlT was [80.8%]. The Kappa coefficient calculation showed a very good agreement [Kappa=0.83] between the 2 tests but there was no statistical difference in the sensitivity of detection of MTB between MGIT and Li methods [P>0.05]. There was a statistically significant difference [P<0.05] between the 2 methods as regards the mean time of growth detection. The mean [range] time of detection of MTB was 12.5 [5 to 30] and 19.5 [14-30] days with MGIT and Li, respectively. The recovery rate of MTB 1mm both media in combination [MGIT plus LJ] was higher [84.6%] than the recovery rate on each media separately and the difference between the 2 methods was not statistically significant [P>0.05]. Regarding the detection of MTB from smear positive and smear negative sputum, it was found that MOLT and U detected 93% and 86.2% respectively of the 29 smear positive specimens whereas they detected 65.2% and 60.8% respectively of the 23 smear negative specimens and there was no statistical difference between the 2 methods in relation to the smear type. The recovery rate of MTB by AMTD was 71%. The assay had sensitivities of 100 and 85.7% for acid fast smear positive and negative specimens, respectively. The specificity of the assay was 100% for both types of smears. Our overall results for all specimens, regardless of smear status, showed a sensitivity of 94.8%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 86.6%. In conclusion, Both MGIT and AMTD are reliable methods for rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis but they should not be used instead of a solid medium; rather, they should be used in addition to it
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Sputum/microbiology , Culture MediaABSTRACT
Autoantibodies are an integral part of the process of classifying, detecting, and, at least in some cases, mediating autoimmune diseases. The antinuclear antibody is not just one antibody but, actually, many different antibodies associated with a variety of diseases and disease manifestations. Antinuclear antibodies [ANA], anti-Sm, or anti-dsDNA antibodies are part of the American College of Rheumatology criteria [ACR] for SLE. Specific reactivities are associated with distinct clinical features of SLE. To study associations between antinuclear antibodies [ANA] detected by Line Immunoassay and signs/symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]. A total of 38 unselected consecutive patients, diagnosed as having SLE and attending the rheumatology and nephrology units, Suez Canal University Hospital, were included in this study. The patients met the American College of Rheumatology [ACR] revised criteria for classification of SLE. ANA profiles were determined by line immunoassay and by indirect immunofluorescence on Crithidia luciliae. An extensive list of signs/symptoms was evaluated. ANA were found by indirect immunofluorescence [IIF] in 36/38 [95%] patients. The frequencies of the specific reactivities were: anti-dsDNA 60%, anti-SmB 35%, anti-SmD 25%, anti-RNP-C 25%, anti-Ro60 15%, anti-SSB 15%, anti-RNP-A 10%, antiRibosomal P 10%, anti-Ro52 5%, anti Cenp-B 5%, anti Scl-70 2.6%, and anti-Histones 60%. Cutaneous manifestations were associated with anti-SSB, Ro52, Ribosomal P, anti-dsDNA and histones. Raynaud's phenomenon was associated with Ro52 and 60, histones and RNP-C. Xerostomia was associated with Ro52 and 60 as well as Cenp-B. Renal manifestations were associated with RNP-A, Ro52, Ro60 and dsDNA. By using a sensitive and specific multiparameter assay like LIA for identifying antinuclear reactivities, we could confirm some of the previously reported associations of antibodies with clinical symptoms of SLE. We also found several new associations meriting further study