Diagnostic Methods Research Articles

Diagnosis and Treatment of Postoperative Myocardial Infarction: A Retrospective Cohort Study on 600 Cardiac Surgery Patients

Introduction: Postoperative myocardial infarction (PMI) is a severe complication after cardiac surgery, significantly impacting patient outcomes. Acute PMI after cardiac surgery is an infrequent event that can evolve rapidly and become a potentially life-threatening complication. Multiple factors are associated with acute PMI after cardiac surgery and may vary by the type of surgical procedure performed. Although the criteria defining nonprocedural myocardial ischemia are well established, there are no universally accepted criteria for diagnosing acute PMI. This retrospective study analyzed 600 patients who underwent cardiac surgery at a single center over one year. The incidence, diagnosis, and management of PMI were evaluated, focusing on diagnostic methods, therapeutic interventions, and the role of intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs). Our findings provide insights into the anesthesiologist’s role in identifying and managing PMI, highlighting strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population. Conclusions: Early detection and tailored management of PMI are vital to reducing complications. Anesthesiologists and intensive care teams are key in optimizing outcomes through advanced support measures like intra-aortic balloon pumps. These findings, which provide practical insights to enhance perioperative care, empower us to manage this high-risk population better.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Impact on Neurodevelopment, Diagnosis, Early Intervention and Motor Disorders in Children under 3 Years

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most severe outcome of prenatal alcohol exposure, characterized by a combination of somatic and neurological abnormalities, including facial dysmorphism, growth deficits, and neurocognitive impairments. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) encompass a broader range of outcomes from prenatal alcohol exposure, with varying degrees of severity. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can disrupt fetal development, with no known safe threshold for its intake at any stage of gestation. The consequences are particularly profound on the central nervous system (CNS), where damage to structures like the cerebellum can lead to motor dysfunctions, balance issues, and cognitive impairments. Early identification and diagnosis of FAS or FASD, especially during the critical first years of life, is essential for improving developmental outcomes. Intervention strategies, including physical and cognitive therapy, can help mitigate long-term disabilities associated with these conditions. Diagnostic methods, such as ultrasound for fetal structural abnormalities and the AUDIT screening tool, are integral for early detection. This review highlights the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on motor skill development, particularly the persistence of primitive reflexes in infants with FAS, which is indicative of CNS immaturity and necessitates early therapeutic interventions. Understanding these motor and neurological markers is critical for providing appropriate support and improving outcomes for affected children.

Relationship Between Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, and Dental Erosion in Adult Populations: A Systematic Review.

As one of the most common complications of laryngopharyngeal reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease, dental erosion presents a significant association with laryngopharyngeal reflux. This study aimed to elucidate the role of laryngopharyngeal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease on the severity and occurrence of dental erosion in adult populations. A comprehensive search was performed in the databases of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus for English literature published from July 1999 to June 2024. Peer-reviewed publications evaluating the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and dental erosion in adult populations were retrieved. Opensigle and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform database were used to search the potential gray literature. A manual search was also performed to uncover further relevant studies from the reference lists. The electronic literature search yielded 1382 studies, with 22 researches in line with the inclusion criteria. Results of included publications indicated a significantly higher prevalence of dental erosion in adult populations with gastroesophageal reflux disease or laryngopharyngeal reflux compared to healthy populations. Subjects with dental erosion demonstrate a greater prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease as well. The heterogeneity of the evaluation of clinical outcomes, diagnostic methods, and the definition of diseases need to be considered. Future studies should define reflux disease according to a universal guideline to better enhance treatment in adult populations. Gastroesophageal reflux disease or laryngopharyngeal reflux presents a significant association with dental erosion in adult populations. Clinicians should emphasize timely detection and management of the underlying factors of dental erosion in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Evaluating the effectiveness of handheld ultrasound in primary blast lung injury: a comprehensive study

The incidence of blast injuries has been rising globally, particularly affecting the lungs due to their vulnerability. Primary blast lung injury (PBLI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, while early diagnostic methods are limited. With advancements in medical technology, and portable handheld ultrasound devices, the efficacy of ultrasound in detecting occult lung injuries early remains unclear. This study evaluates the effectiveness of immediate lung ultrasound in diagnosing PBLI. The study involved 25 healthy male Bama mini-pigs subjected to BST-I-type biological shock wave tubes. The pigs were randomly assigned to non-injured and injured groups with driving pressures of 4.0 MPa, 4.5 MPa, and 4.8 MPa. Four PBLI models were created: no injury, minor, moderate, serious and severe. Immediate lung ultrasound following the BLUE-PLUS protocol and arterial blood gas analysis were conducted pre-injury and 0.5 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h post-injury, respectively. The study analyzed lung ultrasound score differences and their correlations with lung function parameters, using ROC analysis to determine early diagnostic standards and mortality prediction efficacy. The study found that in cases of moderate and severe PBLI, lung ultrasound scores and AaDO2 significantly increased at 0.5 h post-injury, while PaO2 decreased. There was good consistency between left and right lung ultrasound results at all times. Lung ultrasound scores were significantly correlated with PaO2 and AaDO2 but not with PaCO2. The scores accurately predicted injury severity at various time points within 24 h post-injury, and the 0.5 h lung ultrasound score predicted 24 h mortality with 95.8% efficiency. PBLI exhibits hidden severity, necessitating improved early diagnostics. Immediate lung ultrasound provides effective differentiation for moderate and severe PBLI at multiple time points within 24 h post-injury, is easy to implement, and offers effective mortality risk prediction as early as 0.5 h post-injury. These findings underscore lung ultrasound’s significant clinical application value in pre-hospital early treatment settings for PBLI.

Promising methods of prenatal diagnostics based on passive sensors and machine learning

Promising methods of prenatal diagnostics based on passive sensors and machine learning

The known structural variations in hearing loss and their diagnostic approaches: a comprehensive review.

Hearing loss (HL) is the most common sensory disorder, characterized by a wide range of causes, including both environmental and genetic factors. While single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertions/deletions have been extensively studied, the role of structural variations (SVs) in hearing impairment has gained increasing recognition. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the importance of SVs in HL, by exploring the SVs associated with HL and their underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Additionally, diagnostic methods of SVs have been briefly evaluated and compared in general. Three major mechanisms by which SVs can lead to HL are gene disruption, gene dosage imbalance, and position effect. Furthermore, to facilitate the detection of SVs in HL, this review presents a table highlighting the key genes and genomic regions implicated in SVs and their diagnostic approaches associated with HL patients. In the next step, indications for the use of SV diagnostic techniques are compiled in another table in this article, which will help experts in choosing the most appropriate technique. At last, the comprehensive review presented here underscores the significant role of SVs in HL. Further research is required to fully elucidate the spectrum of SVs in HL and optimize the clinical use of SV detection methods in routine diagnostic procedures.

Neuroendocrine Tumors: Germline Genetics and Hereditary Syndromes.

The vast majority of neuroendocrine 'neoplasms (NENs) are sporadic, although recent evidence has indicated that a subset of these cancers may also originate as a result of genetic germline mutations. To date, 10% of these cancers can be linked to an inherited genetic syndrome. Genetic diagnosis is crucial for patients with a suspected hereditary NEN syndrome, as it recognizes patients carrying germline mutations and allows for personalized clinical follow-up, considering the higher risk of developing other tumours. The potential for early genetic detection has significant implications for the treatment of patients with hereditary NEN syndrome, as it may facilitate the delivery of precision therapy that differs from that typically provided to other patients. Thus, the integration of genotypic and phenotypic diagnostic methods help clinicians to provide more informed treatment and to extend appropriate prevention to family members.

Chemiluminescent Probe for Enhanced Visualization of Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Pyroglutamate Aminopeptidase-1 Activation.

The absence of an effective imaging tool for diagnosing renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) severely delays its treatment, and currently, no definitive clinical interventions are available. Pyroglutamate aminopeptidase-1 (PGP-1), a potential inflammatory cytokine, has shown considerable potential as a biomarker for tracing the inflammatory process in vivo. However, its exact role in the enhanced visualization of RIRI in complex biological systems has yet to be fully established. Chemiluminescence imaging (CLI) has proven to be one of the most promising diagnostic methods due to its ultrahigh-contrast imaging capabilities compared to fluorescence imaging. In this study, we developed an activatable Schaap's dioxetane chemiluminescent probe (PGP-PD) to explore the potential of PGP-1 as a marker for CLI of renal injury following ischemia-reperfusion, with the goal of achieving high-contrast in situ diagnostics for RIRI. In vitro, PGP-PD exhibited exceptional selectivity for exogenous PGP-1 and remarkable sensitivity, with a detection limit as low as 2.244 ng/mL. Moreover, in vivo studies successfully demonstrated a positive correlation between the RIRI and PGP-1 level. Notably, in situ imaging with PGP-PD generated a significant chemiluminescent signal within the RIRI-kidney, providing an exceptionally high contrast between injured and normal kidney tissue (∼9.4-fold) in the RIRI mouse model. We anticipate that this work may offer a valuable biomarker (PGP-1) and a powerful imaging tool for improving RIRI in situ diagnosis, thereby aiding treatment planning and surgical outcomes for RIRI patients.

A loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assay to detect insect‐associated Serratia spp. in the critically endangered insect Dryococelus australis

Abstract Point‐of‐care diagnostic methods are being increasingly employed to monitor infection risks in animal populations. These approaches are particularly valuable for ex situ invertebrate conservation programmes that often involve large numbers of individuals and where the rapid return of results supports timely risk mitigation decisions. Insect frass is a useful substrate to screen for the presence of pathogens transmitted by the faecal‐oral route in live insects but can result in false negatives when using common nucleic acid detection techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), because of poor DNA extraction yields and the presence of inhibitors. We developed a diagnostic test to detect potentially entomopathogenic Serratia spp. in the frass of captive Dryococelus australis, using a cleanup step to improve DNA extraction by separating and concentrating bacterial cells, and a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay targeting the ureD gene. The LAMP assay had 1000 times greater analytical sensitivity than quantitative PCR when testing frass, did not yield false positive reactions when used to test a panel of 102 non‐Serratia spp., achieved results in 30 min and required only basic equipment. We applied the assay in real‐life conditions to screen captive insects, yielding information about the enclosures, life stages and insect species shedding potential entomopathogens, to inform the biosecurity and management practices of the captive breeding and conservation programme for D. australis. This diagnostic test could be modified for use in field conditions and adapted to detect other pathogens of concern in invertebrate conservation programmes and for insects reared in captivity for research or agricultural purposes.

A Comprehensive Review of the Diagnostics for Pediatric Tuberculosis Based on Assay Time, Ease of Operation, and Performance

Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) is still challenged by several diagnostic bottlenecks, imposing a high TB burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Diagnostic turnaround time (TAT) and ease of operation to suit resource-limited settings are critical aspects that determine early treatment and influence morbidity and mortality. Based on TAT and ease of operation, this article reviews the evolving landscape of TB diagnostics, from traditional methods like microscopy and culture to cutting-edge molecular techniques and biomarker-based approaches. We examined the benefits of efficient rapid results against potential trade-offs in accuracy and clinical utility. The review highlights emerging molecular methods and artificial intelligence-based detection methods, which offer promising improvements in both speed and sensitivity. The review also addresses the challenges of implementing these technologies in resource-limited settings, where most pediatric TB cases occur. Gaps in the existing diagnostic methods, algorithms, and operational costs were also reviewed. Developing optimal diagnostic strategies that balance speed, performance, cost, and feasibility in diverse healthcare settings can provide valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers.

Comparative effectiveness of genetic diagnostic methods in children with nervous system disorders in Ukraine

Comparative effectiveness of genetic diagnostic methods in children with nervous system disorders in Ukraine

A Cutting-Edge Approach to Predictive Precision in Oncology Using a Geneto-Neuro-Fuzzy Hybrid Model

Purpose: This study introduces a pioneering hybrid model that combines genetic algorithms, neuro-fuzzy logic, and mobile agent technology to enhance predictive precision for early-stage prostate cancer diagnosis. Design/Methodology/Approach: One hundred and twenty records of prostate cancer patients were initially collected from the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Nigeria. Each patient’s record included relevant data on prostate disease, such as age, PSA levels, clinical history, symptom severity, biopsy results, and other demographic and clinical factors. This data was extracted and stored as rules in a MySQL database, with the MySQL Fuzzy Extension enabling fuzzy data storage and processing. Findings: Extensive simulations and clinical data analyses demonstrate the model’s superior sensitivity and specificity in detecting early-stage prostate cancer compared to traditional diagnostic methods. Medical expert evaluations validate the model’s effectiveness as a promising diagnostic alternative. Research Limitation: While results are promising, the study is limited to simulations and a controlled clinical dataset. Practical Implications: The system offers a practical, scalable early prostate cancer detection solution that could revolutionise current diagnostic practices. Social Implications: Potential social benefits include improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and better quality of life. Originality/Value: This study presents an innovative integration of genetic algorithms, neuro-fuzzy systems, and mobile agent technology. This novel approach paves the way for advanced cancer diagnostics and precision medicine.

Effects of different vaccination regimes on the immunodiagnosis of tuberculosis in goats and evaluation of defined antigens

Tuberculosis (TB) in goats is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) organisms that pose a great health and economic challenge for the caprine industry in some European and developing countries. It is also a zoonotic disease posing a risk for public health. The control programs of the disease are based on a test-and-slaughter strategy, and vaccination is not feasible with available vaccines due to its interferences with the current TB immunodiagnosis. There is still a need for the development of an effective TB vaccine and, concurrently, diagnostic methods that allow differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA approach). In this study, we investigated the interferences caused by the tuberculin (PPD)-based TB diagnostic tests in goats immunized by different mucosal and parenteral vaccination strategies: three single-dose strategies based on intranasal administration of BCG and two heat-inactivated M. bovis (HIMB) vaccines, and two prime-boost strategies based on parenteral BCG or HIMB priming and intranasal HIMB boosting. In addition, the defined antigens ESAT-6, CPF10, and EspC were evaluated as alternative diagnostic reagents to PPDs. At week 14 after prime vaccination of the animals, skin tests, IFN-γ release assay, and antibody detection assays were performed. The two prime-boosted and the single-dose intranasal BCG groups displayed greater cell-mediated immune responses to PPDs than the two single-dose intranasal HIMB vaccines. However, the use of reagents based on the defined antigens eliminated or reduced the vaccine-induced diagnostic interferences in all groups. Based on these results, the use of defined antigens in the current immunodiagnostic tests appears to be suitable in a future goat TB vaccination scenario.

Emerging nanoplatforms towards microenvironment-responsive glioma therapy.

Gliomas are aggressive intracranial tumors of the central nervous system with a poor prognosis, high risk of recurrence, and low survival rates. Radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy are traditional cancer therapies. It is very challenging to accurately image and differentiate the malignancy grade of gliomas due to their heterogeneous and infiltrating nature and the obstruction of the blood-brain barrier. Imaging plays a crucial role in gliomas which significantly plays an important role in the accuracy of the diagnosis followed by any subsequent surgery or therapy. Other diagnostic methods (such as biopsies or surgery) are often very invasive. Preoperative imaging and intraoperative image-guided surgery perform the most significant safe resection. In recent years, the rapid growth of nanotechnology has opened up new avenues for glioma diagnosis and treatment. For better therapeutic efficacy, developing microenvironment-responsive nanoplatforms, including novel nanotherapeutic platforms of sonodynamic therapy, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal treatments, are employed for improved patient survival and better clinical control outcome. In this review recent advancement of multifunctional nanoplatforms leading toward treatment of glioma is discussed.

Time-domain direct capacitive coupling detection technique applicable inside a cavity structure for determination of crossing frequency in a transmission microwave frequency spectrum

Abstract The conventional crossing frequency method for plasma diagnostics measures transmission microwave frequency spectrum, called S_21 spectrum, using transmitting and receiving antennae. It can infer electron density (n_e) from the crossing frequency (f_cross) on which S_21 spectra with plasma generation and vaccum (no plasma generation) intersect. However, this method faces a challenge when it is used inside a cavity, especially a vacuum chamber, due to spike-like peaks in the S_21 spectrum with vacuum. Those peaks disturb the S_21 spectrum and make multiple crossing points, leading to difficulty in determining the f_cross. This paper proposes a method to remove those peaks, named time-domain capacitive coupling detection technique. For preliminary study, a three-dimensional electromagnetic wave simulation was employed and we found the coupling mechanism between antennae and optimum working condition. The proposed method is evaluated in an inductively coupled plasma system. Exepriment results showed the clear removal of spike-like peaks in S_21 spectrum with vacuum inside a cylindrical vacuum chamber. With plasma generation, the n_e from the proposed method shows a good agreement with that from the cutoff probe method, indicating the working in this method. Furthermore, we verified the operation at high pressure in which the cutoff method does not work. As a result, the time-domain direct capacitive coupling detection technique is a technique to measure electron density inside a vacuum chamber, especially at high pressure plasma diagnostics.

Effect of the maternal sleep disturbances and obstructive sleep apnea on feto-placental Doppler: A systematic review.

Literature evidenced an association of maternal sleep disturbances and maternal obstructive sleep apnea with significant obstetric complications. Moreover, the maternal sleep disturbances effect on feto-placental circulation had not been extensively examined. Our objective is to explore the possible maternal sleep disturbances impact on the feto-placental indices evaluated through the Doppler study. A systematic review of the following databases was performed: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar from the beginning to June 2024. Only studies that enrolled pregnant women with signs and symptoms of maternal sleep disturbances or obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis, which analysed the feto-placental Doppler parameters, were considered eligible (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024553926). We included a total of four studies with 1715 cases of pregnant women. Various instrumental and non-instrumental diagnostic methods were adopted for detection of maternal sleep disturbances. The ultrasound exam was performed mainly in the third trimester of pregnancies, and all the studies explored the uterine Doppler parameters. Only two studies explore the foetal Doppler parameters. Only one study disclosed that maternal sleep disturbances are related to altered uterine Doppler indices with probable placental dysfunction. This review did not evidence a significant influence of maternal sleep disturbances and obstructive sleep apnea on foetal Doppler indices. Moreover, one large prospective study showed a possible impact of maternal sleep disturbances on uterine Doppler with a potential impairment of the placentation function. Additional studies with detailed data and larger samples are needed to throw light on this relationship and its impact on the foetal outcomes.

Detection of pneumococcal carriage in asymptomatic healthcare workers

Abstract Background Healthcare workers are at increased risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). While little asymptomatic carriage has been reported in young-to-middle-aged adults, this may be due to non-sensitive diagnostic methods. The aim of the study was to investigate the rates of pneumococcal carriage in a large cohort of healthcare workers using saliva as a respiratory specimen. Methods We evaluated pneumococcal carriage in a convenience sample of saliva, self-collected from asymptomatic healthcare workers (CT, USA) who were testing for SARS-CoV-2 from March 30 to June 11, 2020. DNA extracted from the culture-enriched saliva was later tested using qPCR for piaB, lytA, and serotype. Saliva samples were considered positive for pneumococcus when the piaB Ct value was <40. Results Study participants were 22-74 years old (mean=38.5), 75% female, 75% white, with occupations including registered nurses (48%), medical doctors (23%), and patient care assistants (5%). Overall, 138/1241 (11%) samples from 86/392 (21%) individuals tested piaB-positive at some point during the 4-month study period, with 28 (33%) colonized individuals positive at multiple time points. Carriers reflected the overall study population. No significant demographic characteristics were associated with detection of pneumococcus. Colonized individuals primarily carried serotypes 19F (25.6%) and 3 (12.8%). Conclusions During a period of mandatory masking, we identified a cumulative pneumococcal carriage prevalence of 21% among healthcare workers. This study highlights that healthcare workers may act as unrecognized reservoirs of pneumococcus in the population. Despite long-standing pediatric immunization programs, vaccine-targeted serotypes continue to be prevalent among the adult population.

Correlation between mri findings and cebrebrospinal pressures in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Background: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) is characterized by elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) without identifiable etiology. While Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) often reveals findings such as empty sella turcica, optic nerve abnormalities, and transverse sinus stenosis, their correlation with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure remains unclear. Objective: To investigate the correlation between MRI abnormalities and lumbar opening and closing pressures in patients with IIH. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 21 IIH patients diagnosed using the Modified Dandy Criteria over five years. MRI findings were categorized as normal or abnormal (empty sella, optic nerve abnormalities, and transverse sinus stenosis), and their association with lumbar opening and closing pressures, measured during the initial lumbar puncture, was analyzed using Student's T-test. Results: No statistically significant differences in lumbar opening or closing pressures were observed between patients with normal and abnormal MRI findings (P = 0.605 and P = 0.778, respectively). Similarly, no significant associations were identified for optic nerve abnormalities (P = 0.494 and P = 0.522), venous sinus abnormalities (P = 0.356 and P = 0.370), or empty sella turcica (P = 0.685 and P = 0.591). Conclusion: The study found no significant correlation between MRI findings and CSF pressures in IIH patients. These results align with existing literature, suggesting that MRI findings alone may not adequately predict CSF pressure levels. Alternative diagnostic methods, such as optical coherence tomography, may be more sensitive in detecting early optic nerve abnormalities.

Development and evaluation of optimized PCR and indirect ELISA for the detection of Morganella morganii in dairy cows

IntroductionMorganella morganii (M. morganii) is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, whose increasing virulence and antibiotic resistance negatively impact dairy cow health and productivity, raising concerns in livestock health management. To mitigate this risk, rapid and reliable diagnostic methods for detection are essential. Currently, detection methods for M. morganii are underdeveloped, prompting us to develop both pathogenic and serological detection methods, including an optimized PCR technique and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA).MethodsThe optimized PCR method utilized bacterial suspensions directly as templates, bypassing the need for DNA extraction and thereby allowing the direct detection of M. morganii in fecal samples. Primer concentrations and annealing temperatures were optimized to minimize primer dimer formation, ensuring high specificity. Clinical evaluation was conducted using 771 fecal and nasal fluid samples collected from dairy farms in five regions. The I-ELISA method was developed using M. morganii lipoprotein (LPP) antigen. Parameters such as antigen coating, blocking conditions, and antibody dilution were optimized to improve specificity. Stability and reproducibility were validated through intra- and inter-assay tests. A total of 476 serum samples from dairy cows were tested to assess the method’s clinical applicability.ResultsThe optimized PCR method demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, achieving a detection threshold of 0.2 CFU/μL. Clinical testing revealed a positivity rate of 1.4% among 771 fecal and nasal fluid samples. The I-ELISA method showed excellent stability and reproducibility, confirmed through intra- and inter-assay consistency. In testing 476 dairy cow serum samples, the positivity rate for M. morganii was 5.9%. These results indicate the utility of I-ELISA as a reliable serological diagnostic tool.DiscussionThe PCR and I-ELISA methods collectively offer practical solutions for the early clinical diagnosis of M. morganii infections in dairy cows. The PCR technique’s efficiency and sensitivity make it ideal for pathogen detection in fecal samples, while the I-ELISA method provides a robust platform for serological analysis. Together, these tools enable timely intervention, contributing to improved livestock health management and mitigating the negative impacts of M. morganii on dairy cow productivity. Future research may focus on further refining these techniques and exploring their applications in broader livestock management contexts.

Genetic and Immunological Insights into Tick-Bite Hypersensitivity and Alpha-Gal Syndrome: A Case Study Approach

Tick-bite hypersensitivity encompasses a range of clinical manifestations, from localized allergic reactions to systemic conditions like alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), an IgE-mediated allergy to galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal). This study investigated the clinical, molecular, immunological, and genetic features of two hypersensitivity cases. Two cases were analyzed: a 30-year-old woman with fixed drug reaction (FDR)-like hypersensitivity and a 10-year-old girl with AGS exhibiting borderline α-Gal-specific IgE. Diagnostic methods included allergen-specific IgE quantification, HLA genotyping, histopathological examination, and the molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens using microfluidic PCR. Case I demonstrated histopathological features of chronic lymphocytic inflammation and eosinophilic infiltrates, with HLA-B13 and DRB113 alleles indicating genetic susceptibility to hypersensitivity, while histological findings suggested a localized FDR-like reaction. Case II exhibited borderline α-Gal-specific IgE, resolving completely with a mammalian-free diet. The presence of HLA-DRB101 and DQB1*05 in the second patient indicated a genetic predisposition to AGS and other atopic conditions. No infectious etiology was identified in either case. These findings emphasize the heterogeneity of tick-related hypersensitivity and the importance of HLA genotypes in susceptibility. Comprehensive molecular, immunological, and genetic profiling offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of hypersensitivity, supporting personalized approaches for the diagnosis and management of tick-induced allergic conditions.