Chlamydia psittaci infection as a cause of respiratory disease in neonatal foals.

BACKGROUND: During 2016-2018, 15 critically ill neonatal foals with acute respiratory distress associated with Chlamydia psittaci infection were presented to three referral hospitals in New South Wales. Chlamydia psittaci has not previously been associated with the development of neonatal respiratory disease. OBJECTIVES: To investigate and describe the clinical features and outcome of C. psittaci infection in neonatal foals. STUDY DESIGN: Multicentre retrospective case series. METHODS: The clinical, clinicopathological, necropsy and histological features of 15 foals with confirmed C. psittaci infection were reviewed and reported. RESULTS: Thirteen foals with C. psittaci infection died or were subjected to euthanasia within 36 h of hospitalisation and two foals survived to discharge. Findings during post-mortem examination of nonsurviving foals included bronchopneumonia, pulmonary congestion, hepatic congestion and hepatic inflammation. Detection of C. psittaci was achieved using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of swabs of nasal secretions (4/6) and rectal mucosa (5/7) from live foals, lung tissues of foals at necropsy (11/14) and foetal membranes (4/5). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Small numbers of confirmed cases of neonatal C. psittaci infection and inconsistent sampling methods. CONCLUSIONS: Chlamydia psittaci should be considered a differential diagnosis for neonatal foals with signs of severe systemic disease, including equine neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (EqNARDS). Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen and a personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn for the management of foals with suspected or confirmed infection.

Benefits of combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide are independent of baseline glycated haemoglobin level and duration of type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To evaluate, using post hoc analyses, whether the novel combination of a basal insulin, insulin degludec, and a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide (IDegLira), was consistently effective in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), regardless of the stage of T2D progression. METHODS: Using data from the DUAL I extension [insulin-naïve patients uncontrolled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), n = 1660, 52 weeks] and DUAL II (patients uncontrolled on basal insulin plus OADs, n = 398, 26 weeks) randomized trials, the efficacy of IDegLira was investigated with regard to measures of disease progression stage including baseline glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), disease duration and previous insulin dose. RESULTS: Across four categories of baseline HbA1c (≤7.5-9.0%), HbA1c reductions were significantly greater with IDegLira (1.1-2.5%) compared with IDeg or liraglutide alone in DUAL I. In DUAL II, HbA1c reductions were significantly greater with IDegLira (0.9-2.5%) than with IDeg in all but the lowest HbA1c category. In DUAL I, insulin dose and hypoglycaemia rate were lower across all baseline HbA1c categories for IDegLira versus IDeg, while hypoglycaemia was higher with IDegLira than liraglutide, irrespective of baseline HbA1c. In DUAL II, insulin dose and hypoglycaemia rate were similar with IDegLira and IDeg (maximum dose limited to 50 U) independent of baseline HbA1c. The reduction in HbA1c with IDegLira was independent of disease duration and previous insulin dose but varied depending on pre-trial OAD treatment. CONCLUSIONS: IDegLira effectively lowered HbA1c across a range of measures, implying suitability for patients with either early or advanced T2D.

Severe hypoglycaemia in adults with insulin-treated diabetes: impact on healthcare resources.

AIMS: To assess resource utilization associated with severe hypoglycaemia across three insulin regimens in a large phase 3a clinical programme involving people with Type 1 diabetes treated with basal-bolus insulin, people with Type 2 diabetes treated with multiple daily injections and people with Type 2 diabetes treated with basal-oral therapy. METHODS: Data relating to severe hypoglycaemia events (defined as episodes requiring external assistance) from the insulin degludec and insulin degludec/insulin aspart programme (15 trials) were analysed using descriptive statistics. Comparators included insulin glargine, biphasic insulin aspart, insulin detemir and sitagliptin. Mealtime insulin aspart was used in some regimens. This analysis used the serious adverse events records, which documented the use of ambulance/emergency teams, a hospital/emergency room visit ≤ 24 h, or a hospital visit > 24 h. RESULTS: In total, 536 severe hypoglycaemia events were analysed, of which 157 (29.3%) involved an ambulance/emergency team, 64 (11.9%) led to hospital/emergency room attendance of ≤ 24 h and 36 (6.7%) required hospital admission (> 24 h). Although there were fewer events in people with Type 2 diabetes compared with Type 1 diabetes, once a severe episode occurred, the tendency to utilize healthcare resources was higher in Type 2 diabetes vs. Type 1 diabetes. A higher proportion (47.6%) in the basal-oral therapy group required hospital treatment for > 24 h versus the Type 1 diabetes (5.0%) and Type 2 diabetes multiple daily injections (5.3%) groups. CONCLUSION: This analysis suggests that severe hypoglycaemia events often result in emergency/ambulance calls and hospital treatment, incurring a substantial health economic burden, and were associated with all insulin regimens.

Early fasting glucose measurements can predict later glycaemic response to once weekly dulaglutide.

AIMS: To assess whether early measures of fasting blood glucose predict later glycaemic response with once-weekly dulaglutide in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Post hoc analyses were conducted separately for two phase 3 studies (AWARD-5 and AWARD-1) in patients assigned to once-weekly dulaglutide. Week 2 fasting blood glucose was used as a predictor variable, and glycaemic treatment response was defined by HbA1c response based on a composite efficacy endpoint. The association between fasting blood glucose and the glycaemic response was analysed using chi-square tests. RESULTS: There was a strong association between fasting blood glucose < 7.9 mmol/l at week 2 and achieving the HbA1c composite efficacy endpoint at week 26 (P < 0.01). Higher fasting blood glucose at week 2, however, did not predict absence of glycaemic response and requires further assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Fasting blood glucose measured at 2 weeks may be an early and useful predictor of glycaemic response to once-weekly dulaglutide treatment.

One-year efficacy and safety of a fixed combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes: results of a 26-week extension to a 26-week main trial.

AIMS: To confirm, in a 26-week extension study, the sustained efficacy and safety of a fixed combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide (IDegLira) compared with either insulin degludec or liraglutide alone, in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Insulin-naïve adults with type 2 diabetes randomized to once-daily IDegLira, insulin degludec or liraglutide, in addition to metformin ± pioglitazone, continued their allocated treatment in this preplanned 26-week extension of the DUAL I trial. RESULTS: A total of 78.8% of patients (1311/1663) continued into the extension phase. The mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration at 52 weeks was reduced from baseline by 1.84% (20.2 mmol/mol) for the IDegLira group, 1.40% (15.3 mmol/mol) for the insulin degludec group and 1.21% (13.2 mmol/mol) for the liraglutide group. Of the patients on IDegLira, 78% achieved an HbA1c of <7% (53 mmol/mol) versus 63% of the patients on insulin degludec and 57% of those on liraglutide. The mean fasting plasma glucose concentration at the end of the trial was similar for IDegLira (5.7 mmol/l) and insulin degludec (6.0 mmol/l), but higher for liraglutide (7.3 mmol/l). At 52 weeks, the daily insulin dose was 37% lower with IDegLira (39 units) than with insulin degludec (62 units). IDegLira was associated with a significantly greater decrease in body weight (estimated treatment difference, -2.80 kg, p < 0.0001) and a 37% lower rate of hypoglycaemia compared with insulin degludec. Overall, all treatments were well tolerated and no new adverse events or tolerability issues were observed for IDegLira. CONCLUSIONS: These 12-month data, derived from a 26-week extension of the DUAL I trial, confirm the initial 26-week main phase results and the sustainability of the benefits of IDegLira compared with its components in glycaemic efficacy, safety and tolerability.

Genetic variation in caveolin-1 correlates with long-term pancreas transplant function.

Pancreas transplantation is a successful treatment for a selected group of people with type 1 diabetes. Continued insulin production can decrease over time and identifying predictors of long-term graft function is key to improving survival. The aim of this study was to screen subjects for variation in the Caveolin-1 gene (Cav1), previously shown to correlate with long-term kidney transplant function. We genotyped 435 pancreas transplant donors and 431 recipients who had undergone pancreas transplantation at the Oxford Transplant Centre, UK, for all known common variation in Cav1. Death-censored cumulative events were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. Unlike kidney transplantation, the rs4730751 variant in our pancreas donors or transplant recipients did not correlate with long-term graft function (p = 0.331-0.905). Presence of rs3801995 TT genotype (p = 0.009) and rs9920 CC/CT genotype (p = 0.010) in our donors did however correlate with reduced long-term graft survival. Multivariate Cox regression (adjusted for donor and recipient transplant factors) confirmed the association of rs3801995 (p = 0.009, HR = 1.83;[95% CI = 1.16-2.89]) and rs9920 (p = 0.037, HR = 1.63; [95% CI = 1.03-2.73]) with long-term graft function. This is the first study to provide evidence that donor Cav1 genotype correlates with long-term pancreas graft function. Screening Cav1 in other datasets is required to confirm these pilot results.

Biosimilar insulins: a European perspective.

Biosimilar insulins are likely to enter clinical practice in Europe in the near future. It is important that clinicians are familiar with and understand the concept of biosimilarity and how a biosimilar drug may differ from its reference product. The present article provides an overview of biosimilars, the European regulatory requirements for biosimilars and safety issues. It also summarizes the current biosimilars approved in Europe and the key clinical issues associated with the use of biosimilar insulins.

The effects of sample handling and N-phenylmaleimide on concentration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone in equine plasma.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Previous reports suggest that adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) degrades rapidly, limiting its use as a diagnostic test. OBJECTIVES: This study quantified effects of processing delays on ACTH concentrations and investigated the addition of N-phenylmaleimide (maleimide), a protease inhibitor, as a means of reducing ACTH degradation. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Venous blood was collected from 8 healthy horses and 8 horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) with a range of ACTH concentrations. Baseline ACTH concentrations were established immediately using a chemiluminescent assay. Plasma samples were then: 1) centrifuged immediately, 2) centrifuged immediately with the addition of maleimide, or 3) allowed to separate by gravity followed by the addition of maleimide, before all samples were stored at 22°C and analysed at 4, 8, 24 and 48 h post collection. A linear mixed effects model and Bland-Altman analyses were performed. Significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: No significant effect of plasma treatment (P = 0.1) on change in ACTH concentration was identified. However, significant effects of horse health status (P < 0.001) and time (P < 0.001) on change in ACTH concentration were identified. No significant interactions were found. Significant decreases in ACTH concentration occurred in horses with PPID between 4 and 8 h after blood collection. In non-PPID horses, the decrease in ACTH concentration over time was not significant. Agreement with baseline values decreased over time and was greater for non-PPID horses than for PPID horses. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically useful results are still obtained if ACTH concentration is measured up to 48 h after sample collection. Allowing samples to separate by gravity rather than centrifugation did not have a significant effect on ACTH concentration, and the addition of maleimide was of no benefit.

The efficacy of ivermectin, pyrantel and fenbendazole against Parascaris equorum infection in foals on farms in Australia.

This study was performed to estimate the prevalence of patent Parascaris equorum infections and determine the efficacy of ivermectin, pyrantel and fenbendazole against P. equorum infection in foals on farms in southern Australia. Foals aged >3 months on five farms in the south-western slopes region of New South Wales were used. Faeces were collected from each foal and foals with a P. equorum faecal egg count (FEC) of >100 eggs per gram (EPG) were used to measure anthelmintic efficacy using the FEC reduction (FECR) test, after random allocation to a control group or an ivermectin, pyrantel embonate or fenbendazole treatment group. Treatment was administered on day 0 and faeces were collected on day 14 and a FEC was performed. For determination of anthelmintic efficacy, FECRs and lower 95% confidence intervals (LCL) were calculated using previously described methods, based on individual or group FECRs. P. equorum populations were considered susceptible when FECR was >90% and LCL >90%, suspected resistant when FECR was FECR was 80-90% and LCL <90% and resistant when FECR was <80% and LCL <90%. A Poisson distribution quality control method was applied to the data to remove suspected erroneous FECR results. Prevalence of patent P. equorum infection was 58.3% (147/252 foals) and 89 foals on 5 farms were included in the FECR study. Resistance of P. equorum to ≥ 1 anthelmintic was present on all five farms prior to and on four farms after application of the quality control method. Two farms had evidence of multiple drug resistance. Ivermectin was effective and ineffective on two and three farms, respectively. Fenbendazole was effective on two farms, equivocal on one farm and ineffective on one farm. Pyrantel embonate was effective on three farms and ineffective on one farm. These data indicate that anthelmintic-resistant P. equorum populations are present on farms in Australia and multiple drug resistance may occur on individual farms.

Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue insulin resistance and lipolysis in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Systemic insulin resistance (IR) is a primary feature in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), however, there remain limited data on tissue-specific insulin sensitivity in vivo. METHODS: We examined tissue-specific (adipose, muscle and liver) insulin sensitivity and inflammation in 16 European Caucasian patients with biopsy-confirmed NASH and in 15 healthy controls. All underwent a two-step hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp incorporating stable isotope measurements of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism with concomitant subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) microdialysis. RESULTS: Hepatic and muscle insulin sensitivity were decreased in patients with NASH compared with controls, as demonstrated by reduced suppression of hepatic glucose production and glucose disposal (Gd) rates following insulin infusion. In addition, rates of lipolysis were higher in NASH patients with impaired insulin-mediated suppression of free fatty acid levels. At a tissue specific level, abdominal SAT in patients with NASH was severely insulin resistant, requiring >sixfold more insulin to cause ½-maximal suppression of glycerol release when compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, patients with NASH had significantly higher circulating levels of pro-inflammatory adipocytokines than controls. CONCLUSION: NASH patients have profound IR in the liver, muscle and in particular adipose tissues. This study represents the first in vivo description of dysfunctional SAT in patients with NASH.

Pancreas transplantation: a treatment option for people with diabetes.

Since the first pancreas transplants in the early 1960s, whole-organ pancreas transplantation, either alone or combined with kidney transplantation, has become commonplace in many countries around the world. Whole-organ pancreas transplantation is available in the UK, with ~200 transplants currently carried out per year. Patient survival and pancreas graft outcome rates are now similar to other solid organ transplant programmes, with high rates of long-term insulin independence. In the present review, we will discuss whole-pancreas transplantation as a treatment for diabetes, focusing on indications for transplantation, the nature of the procedure performed, graft survival rates and the consequences of pancreas transplantation on metabolic variables and the progression of diabetes-related complications.

Hypoglycaemia risk with insulin degludec compared with insulin glargine in type 2 and type 1 diabetes: a pre-planned meta-analysis of phase 3 trials.

AIM: Hypoglycaemia and the fear of hypoglycaemia are barriers to achieving normoglycaemia with insulin. Insulin degludec (IDeg) has an ultra-long and stable glucose-lowering effect, with low day-to-day variability. This pre-planned meta-analysis aimed to demonstrate the superiority of IDeg over insulin glargine (IGlar) in terms of fewer hypoglycaemic episodes at equivalent HbA1c in type 2 and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T2DM/T1DM). METHODS: Pooled patient-level data for self-reported hypoglycaemia from all seven (five in T2DM and two in T1DM) randomized, controlled, phase 3a, treat-to-target trials in the IDeg clinical development programme comparing IDeg once-daily (OD) vs. IGlar OD were analysed. RESULTS: Four thousand three hundred and thirty subjects (2899 IDeg OD vs. 1431 IGlar OD) were analysed. Among insulin-naïve T2DM subjects, significantly lower rates of overall confirmed, nocturnal confirmed and severe hypoglycaemic episodes were reported with IDeg vs. IGlar: estimated rate ratio (RR):0.83[0.70;0.98](95%) (CI) , RR:0.64[0.48;0.86](95%) (CI) and RR:0.14[0.03;0.70](95%) (CI) . In the overall T2DM population, significantly lower rates of overall confirmed and nocturnal confirmed episodes were reported with IDeg vs. IGlar [RR:0.83[0.74;0.94](95%) (CI) and RR:0.68[0.57;0.82](95%) (CI) ). In the T1DM population, the rate of nocturnal confirmed episodes was significantly lower with IDeg vs. IGlar during maintenance treatment (RR:0.75[0.60;0.94](95%) (CI) ). Reduction in hypoglycaemia with IDeg vs. IGlar was more pronounced during maintenance treatment in all populations. CONCLUSIONS: The limitations of this study include the open-label design and exclusion of subjects with recurrent severe hypoglycaemia. This meta-analysis confirms that similar improvements in HbA1c can be achieved with fewer hypoglycaemic episodes, particularly nocturnal episodes, with IDeg vs. IGlar across a broad spectrum of patients with diabetes.

Safety and efficacy of liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes and elevated liver enzymes: individual patient data meta-analysis of the LEAD program.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has reached epidemic proportions in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues are licensed in T2D, yet little data exist on efficacy and safety in liver injury. AIM: To assess the safety and efficacy of 26-week liraglutide on liver parameters in comparison with active-placebo. METHODS: Individual patient data meta-analysis was performed using patient-level data combined from six 26-week, phase-III, randomised controlled T2D trials, which comprise the 'Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes' (LEAD) program. The LEAD-2 sub-study was analysed to assess the effect on CT-measured hepatic steatosis. RESULTS: Of 4442 patients analysed, 2241 (50.8%) patients had an abnormal ALT at baseline [mean ALT 33.8(14.9) IU/L in females; 47.3(18.3) IU/L in males]. Liraglutide 1.8 mg reduced ALT in these patients vs. placebo (-8.20 vs. -5.01 IU/L; P = 0.003), and was dose-dependent (no significant differences vs. placebo with liraglutide 0.6 or 1.2 mg). This effect was lost after adjusting for liraglutide's reduction in weight (mean ALT difference vs. placebo -1.41 IU/L, P = 0.21) and HbA1c (+0.57 IU/L, P = 0.63). Adverse effects with 1.8 mg liraglutide were similar between patients with and without baseline abnormal ALT. In LEAD-2 sub-study, liraglutide 1.8 mg showed a trend towards improving hepatic steatosis vs. placebo (liver-to-spleen attenuation ratio +0.10 vs. 0.00; P = 0.07). This difference was reduced when correcting for changes in weight (+0.06, P = 0.25) and HbA(1c) (0.00, P = 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-six weeks' liraglutide 1.8 mg is safe, well tolerated and improves liver enzymes in patients with type 2 diabetes. This effect appears to be mediated by its action on weight loss and glycaemic control.

Insulin degludec: overview of a novel ultra long-acting basal insulin.

All the basal insulin products currently available have suboptimal pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, with none reliably providing a reproducible and peakless pharmacodynamic (PD) effect that endures over 24 h from once-daily dosing. Insulin degludec is a novel acylated basal insulin with a unique mechanism of protracted absorption involving the formation of a depot of soluble multihexamer chains after subcutaneous injection. PK/PD studies show that insulin degludec has a very long duration of action, with a half-life exceeding 25 h. Once-daily dosing produces a steady-state profile characterized by a near-constant effect, which varies little from injection to injection in a given patient. Clinically, insulin degludec has been shown consistently to carry a lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia than once-daily insulin glargine, in both basal+bolus and basal-only insulin regimens. The constancy of the steady-state profile of insulin degludec also means that day-to-day irregularities at the time of injection have relatively little PD influence, thereby offering the possibility of greater treatment flexibility for patients.

Liraglutide: from clinical trials to clinical practice.

Liraglutide, a once-daily glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, is approved for use as monotherapy in the USA and Japan (but not in Europe or Canada) and in combination with selected oral agents (all regions) for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. Guidance from local advisory bodies is emerging on the most appropriate place for liraglutide in the treatment pathway. It is apparent from its phase 3 clinical trial programme that liraglutide provides superior glycaemic control compared with that achieved with other antidiabetic agents used early in the treatment pathway (e.g. glimepiride and sitagliptin). Key additional benefits include a low incidence of hypoglycaemia and clinically relevant weight loss, although these benefits may be ameliorated by concomitant sulphonylurea (SU) treatment and, in the case of hypoglycaemia, reduction of the SU dose may be necessary. Overall, the profile of liraglutide is similar and, in some aspects, superior to twice-daily exenatide. The implementation of liraglutide therapy is straightforward, with simple dose titration from the starting dose of 0.6 to 1.2 mg/day after 1 week; some patients may benefit from additional titration to 1.8 mg/day. Treatment is self-administered by subcutaneous injection. This contrasts with other agents used early in the treatment pathway, but clinical data suggest patients' overall treatment satisfaction with liraglutide is similar (1.2 mg) or better (1.8 mg) than that with sitagliptin despite differing administration methods. Some patients may experience nausea when initiating liraglutide treatment, but the titration regimen is designed to improve tolerability and clinical data indicate nausea is transient.

Achieving a clinically relevant composite outcome of an HbA1c of <7% without weight gain or hypoglycaemia in type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of the liraglutide clinical trial programme.

AIM: Effective type 2 diabetes management requires a multifactorial approach extending beyond glycaemic control. Clinical practice guidelines suggest targets for HbA1c, blood pressure and lipids, and emphasize weight reduction and avoiding hypoglycaemia. The phase 3 clinical trial programme for liraglutide, a human glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue, showed significant improvements in HbA1c and weight with a low risk of hypoglycaemia compared to other diabetes therapies. In this context, we performed a meta-analysis of data from these trials evaluating the proportion of patients achieving a clinically relevant composite measure of diabetes control consisting of an HbA1c <7% without weight gain or hypoglycaemia. METHODS: A prespecified meta-analysis was performed on 26-week patient-level data from seven trials (N = 4625) evaluating liraglutide with commonly used therapies for type 2 diabetes: glimepiride, rosiglitazone, glargine, exenatide, sitagliptin or placebo, adjusting for baseline HbA1c and weight, for a composite outcome of HbA1c <7.0%, no weight gain and no hypoglycaemic events. RESULTS: At 26 weeks, 40% of the liraglutide 1.8 mg group, 32% of the liraglutide 1.2 mg group and 6-25% of comparators (6% rosiglitazone, 8% glimepiride, 15% glargine, 25% exenatide, 11% sitagliptin, 8% placebo) achieved this composite outcome. Odds ratios favoured liraglutide 1.8 mg by 2.0- to 10.5-fold over comparators. CONCLUSIONS: As assessed by the composite outcome of HbA1c <7%, no hypoglycaemia and no weight gain, liraglutide was clearly superior to the other commonly used therapies. However, the long-term clinical impact of this observation remains to be shown.

Genetics of thyroid autoimmunity and the role of the TSHR.

Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) make up the autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), with classical clinical characteristics arising as a result of environmental factors in people who are genetically predisposed. Three gene regions consistently associated with AITD include the Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) region, CTLA4 and PTPN22, which represent general autoimmune risk loci and encode molecules vital for correct immune system function. AITD patients in addition are likely to carry at least one thyroid specific susceptibility locus. Recent genetic studies have refined association of the TSHR with GD to within a 40kb region including intron 1, of the TSHR itself, with preliminary evidence to suggest altered mRNA isoform expression. These findings, combined with previous functional data demonstrating that the TSHR A-subunit is the primary autoantigenic region, suggests novel mechanisms for the onset of GD and a potential therapeutic target.

Release and clinical significance of soluble CD83 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Soluble CD83 (sCD83), a potent immunosuppressive agent, circulates at elevated levels in some chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. We report that CLL patients with elevated plasma sCD83 levels had significantly shorter (P=0.038) treatment free survival. Culture of CLL cells with solid phase CD83 mAb+IL-4 significantly increases sCD83 release (23-117-fold, P=0.013) and ligation of normal donor PBMC with solid phase CD83 mAb alone induces similar significant increases in sCD83 release (P=0.003). RT-PCR analysis detected the presence of a transcript for sCD83 in 2/3 CLL samples. These results suggest sCD83 release may play a regulatory role in CLL progression.

Validation of an algorithm combining haemoglobin A(1c) and fasting plasma glucose for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in UK and Australian populations.

AIM: To determine whether glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) can be used in combination with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) for the diagnosis of diabetes in patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and in a broader spectrum of patients. METHODS: An algorithm was derived from oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) capillary samples in 500 consecutive UK patients with IFG by World Health Organization criteria. It was validated in a further 500 UK patients and, with venous specimens, in 1175 unselected Australian patients. RESULTS: The derivation cohort was aged 61 years (50-69 years) (median IQ range) with 52% male and 12% South Asian. Diabetes Control and Complications Trial-aligned HbA(1c) was 6.2% (5.8-6.6%) (reference interval < 6.0%) and FPG 6.7 mmol/l (6.3-7.2 mmol/l). FPG was in the diabetes range in 36% of patients, with an OGTT identifying a further 12% with diabetes. The derived algorithm, (HbA(1c) >or= 6.0% with FPG < 7.0 mmol/l) identified those patients requiring an OGTT to diagnose diabetes. When applied to the UK validation cohort, sensitivity was 97% and specificity 100%. The algorithm was equally effective in the unselected group, aged 59 years (49-68 years) and 54% male, with sensitivity 93% and specificity 100%. HbA(1c) was 6.0% (5.6-6.6%) and FPG 6.0 mmol/l (5.3-6.8 mmol/l), with 26% having IFG. Use of the algorithm would reduce the number of OGTTs performed in the UK validation cohort by 33% and by 66% in the Australian patients studied. CONCLUSIONS: Use of this algorithm would simplify procedures for diagnosis of diabetes and could also be used for monitoring pre-diabetes. Validation is now required in other populations and patient groups.