Negative Blood Research Articles

Registration of a pregnant woman in the maternity hospital (optimally at 36th-37th weeks) at the Olomouc University Hospital in 2022.

The aim of the study was to analyse the results of the implementation of the new health service Registration of a pregnant woman in the maternity hospital (optimally at 36th-37th weeks) provided as part of outpatient/ambulatory health care at Olomouc University Hospital (OUH). A prospective cohort study. In 2022, a total of 2,271 women gave birth in OUH, and 2,010 of them were Registered in the maternity hospital, defined specific risks were identified and a pregnancy termination strategy was established/determined. The health service was provided to 88.5% of women giving birth (2,010/2,271). The age of the mothers was 15-56 years (mean 31.3 years; median 31 years), their body mass index was 13.4-53.1 kg/m2 (mean 24.6 kg/m2; median 23.2 kg/m2). 43.6% of them (877/2,010) were Low-risk pregnancies and 56.4% (1,133/2,010) were Pregnancies with a defined specific risk. The most frequently identified risks were as follows: RhD negative blood group (18.4%), diabetes mellitus (13.9%), history of caesarean section (12.0%), hypertensive disorders (6.5%), small fetus/fetal growth restriction (6.3%), risk the development of hemolytic disease in the fetus and the newborn (2.5%), multiple pregnancy (1.6%), congenital malformation of the fetus (1.3%) and placentation disorders (0.5%). In 63.4% of them (1,275/2,010), the pregnancy termination strategy was determined by spontaneous vaginal delivery, in 18.0% (361/2,010) by pre-induction of vaginal delivery and in 14.2% (285/2,010) by caesarean section. In 4.4% (89/2,010) the health service was not implemented correctly because no strategy was established. The implementation of the new health service will make it possible to replace activity (more frequent antenatal care contacts/visits and routine antenatal cardiotocography) with efficiency (risk identification, determination of the optimal strategy for outpatient/ambulatory antenatal care and timing and mode of delivery) and thereby provide better and safer health care (from a medical, organizational, legislative and economic points of view).

Development of a model immunofiltration assay using a conjugate based on horseradish peroxidase

The aim of the study was to optimize the conditions for a model immunoassay in the immunofiltration format using diagnostic reagents based on horseradish peroxidase. Residual blood serum samples from patients in the red zone with a verified diagnosis of a new coronavirus infection were used as positive sera, and blood sera obtained before 2019 were used as negative samples. The procedure of immunofiltration analysis was carried out using a pool of negative and positive blood sera. Studies were carried out to optimize the analysis procedure and increase the significant characteristics of the test. Results. It has been shown that the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate to a final concentration of 50 M in the substrate buffer makes it possible to achieve a higher analytical signal and a stable result 10 minutes after the end of the analysis procedure. Such conditions of immunofiltration analysis as dilutions of the diagnostic reagent, the volume of the introduced sample and the amount of the S-protein of the coronavirus applied to the nitrocellulose membrane were optimized. It has been determined that using immunofiltration analysis it is possible to detect antibodies against the coronavirus S-protein in a dilution of a serum sample of more than 1/1000. The results of immunofiltration analysis reproduce the results of ELISA.

Role of polyethylene glycol and enzymes in identifying antibody specificity in a patient with sickle cell disease

Alloimmunization is a common problem in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Providing antigen-negative units in this group of patients makes it challenging for the transfusion laboratory. Antibody identification is required to decrease the incidence of hemolytic transfusion reaction in case of alloimmunization. In SCD patients, identification of antibody specificity is essential to prevent particularly delayed type transfusion reactions. This is a case report of a transfusion-dependent SCD patient whose antibody specificity could not be determined on initial antibody identification testing. A modified antibody identification test was done with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and enzyme to identify antibody specificity in this patient. Alloantibody anti-c was identified and reported to the clinician. The patient was transfused with c antigen- negative blood. This case report highlights the role of PEG and enzyme treatment in antibody identification for transfusion support in this group of highly alloimmunized patients.

Detection of infections by computerized capture of peaks in longitudinally measured C-reactive protein levels.

We developed four algorithms for the automatic capture of C-reactive protein (CRP) peaks in 296 adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia who had bloodstream infection (BSI) episodes, negative blood cultures (BCs) or possible infections where no BCs were performed. The algorithms detected CRP peaks for 418-446 of the 586 documented BSI episodes (71.3-76.1%) and 2714-3118 of the 4382 negative BCs (61.9-71.2%). The four algorithms captured 382-789 CRP peaks in which there were neither BSI episodes nor negative BCs. We conclude that automatic capture of CRP peaks is a tool for the monitoring of BSI episodes and possibly other infections in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Validation of secretory Immunoglobulin A (IgA) for early and efficient diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacterium that is considered to be a major causal organism of nosocomial infection. This study brought data-specific evidence to reveal the efficacy of secretory Immunoglobulin A (IgA) measurement in diagnosing pulmonary P. aeruginosa infection and claims its validation as a diagnostic marker. This study has included controls and patients of Pseudomonas and grouped them into four, namely, controls, chronic cases, intermittent cases, and negative group. The last group, that is, the "Negative" group, is the ones who had a history of infection but currently showed negative blood culture. The level of sIgA was quantified in all the patients and the controls and then their status of pulmonary infection was determined by their blood culture. ANOVA and Pearson Chi-Square were employed for showing the association between sIgA and pulmonary infection. The mean value of salivary sIgA has been found the highest in chronic cases followed by Intermittent cases and Negative Infections. The boxplot diagram showed several parameters of sIgA quantification in each group and control. ANOVA and Pearson Chi-square (P<0.005) tests showed a significant association between sIgA level in saliva and pulmonary infection of P. aeruginosa. The ROC curve was plotted to determine the cut-off value of sIgA (sIgA≧13.09 U/ml) for efficient clinical diagnosis of pulmonary P. aeruginosa infection.The study has validated statistically that quantification of salivary sIgA can be used in clinical practice for early diagnosis of pulmonaryinfection of P. aeruginosa.

What happened? Perceptions of patients with hypertension on conflicting results between self-reported adherence of medication and chemical adherence testing

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Hypertension is one of the most prevalent causes of death worldwide. Despite the widespread availability and efficacy of pharmacological therapy for hypertension, few patients reach their blood pressure target values. Nonadherence to antihypertensive medication is common and can lead to adverse clinical effects, such as stroke, reduced quality of life and higher health care costs. Adherence to antihypertensive medication can objectively be measured with chemical adherence testing. In clinical practice, some patients state that they are taking the medication while the chemical adherence testing does not confirm this. Understanding of this discrepancy is needed to better support these patients in their treatment decisions. Purpose To explore the perceptions of outpatients with hypertension on conflicting results between self-reported adherence and chemical adherence testing. Methods An explorative generic qualitative study design is used with face-to face semi-structured interviews. The study population consists of adult patients who are diagnosed with hypertension and are treated with antihypertensive medication. Patients have had negative blood levels for one or more antihypertensive drugs after chemical adherence testing, but report to adhere to the prescribed medication advice. To achieve data saturation, 12-15 adult patients are interviewed using a topic list with open ended questions. Interviews are audio-recorded and thematically analysed according to Braun &amp; Clarke. Results At the time of this abstract submission, data collection is ongoing till the beginning of April 2023. At the time of the conference, we can present the results of our study addressing this very delicate and clinically relevant topic. Conclusion Data on the reasons for conflicting results between subjective and objective measures on medication adherence can help clinicians to optimize for patients with hypertension.

Management and outcomes of heart transplant candidates with bloodstream infection on temporary mechanical circulatory support

The outcomes and management of bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients on temporary mechanical circulatory support (TMCS) awaiting heart transplant (HT) are poorly understood. We present outcomes of patients on TMCS with BSI (TMCS-I) relative to matched uninfected patients (TMCS-U) and discuss their management. Between 1/1/2013-4/30/2023, N=136 patients were bridged to transplant with TMCS at Emory Transplant Center. Twenty-one (15.4%) were TMCS-I. Two (9.5%) had infective endocarditis. Median duration of antimicrobial treatment was 24 days (IQR 28.3). All TMCS-I were re-activated for transplant within 48-72 hours of negative blood cultures. None developed recurrent BSI. Post-transplant survival did not differ between TMCS-I and TMCS-U (P=0.38). HT for TMCS-I may be safe as soon as blood cultures clear. Duration of antimicrobial therapy is individualized and depends on the organism, duration of bacteremia, presence of endocarditis, and timing of HT. Additional research is needed to determine optimal duration of treatment.

Blood Stream Infection: Identification &amp; Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Microorganisms in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Dhaka City

Background: Blood stream infections are an important cause of mortality &amp; morbidity in all age group worldwide. Aim &amp; Objective: The aim of this study was to perform bacteriological analysis and assess antibiotic sensitivity patterns of isolates from bloodstream infections in a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka city. Material &amp; methods: The study is a retrospective observational analysis of blood culture isolates received in the Department of Microbiology, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College &amp; Hospital from January to December, 2021. A total sample size was 2371, out of them positive aerobic bacterial growth was observed in 85 (3.58%) isolates. Sampling technique was used to collect data from the laboratory records and written consent was taken from concerned authority collected data were compiled and analyzed with the help of SPSS version 20. All samples were collected in BacT/ ALERT 3D 60 aerobic bottles irrespective to antibiotics administration. One to five (1-5) ml blood for children and 5-10 ml blood for adult were collected respectively. Samples were incubated in the automated BacT/ ALERT 3D. Subculture was done on blood agar, chocolate agar media &amp; MacConkey’s agar media. Identification of organisms by Gram stain &amp; biochemical tests were done as per the standard methods. Negative signal blood culture bottles were kept in machine for up to 5 days. No mixed cultures (the association of two microorganisms) were identified. All the isolates were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern by Kirby-Bauer’s disk diffusion technique according to the Clinical and Laboratory standards institute guideline. Results: Overall, 45/874 (5.14%) positive blood cultures were isolated from adult followed by neonate 31/709(4.37%), children 6/390(1.54%) &amp; infant 3/398(0.75%). Bacteremia was more or less equal in both sexes, female 44 (51.77%) &amp; male 41(48.23%). Trend of pathogens recover in highest in November 13(15.29%). The most common organism isolated was Staph. aureus 26(30.58%) followed by Klebsiella species 15(17.64%), Acinetobacter species 13(15.29%), Pseudomonas species 11(12.94%), Salmonella Typhi 10(11.76%) and E. coli 10(11.76%). In Staph. aureus, linezolid and vancomycin were 100% sensitive. In Klebsiella spp. meropenem was 87% &amp; in E. coli 80% sensitive. In Acinetobacter spp. amoxicillin/ clavanic acid 85% &amp; colistin 70% sensitive. In Pseudomonas spp., meropenem and piperacillin tazobactum 100% sensitive followed by ciprofloxacin 82%, ceftazidime 82% &amp; amikacin 81.8% sensitive. In Salmonella Typhi, ceftriaxone was 100% sensitive. Conclusion: Drug resistant bacteria are increasing over the years, so, antibiotic policy which formulates according to local sensitivity pattern will be implemented effectively. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Education Vol.14(2) July 2023: 84-91

Heterogeneous motor BOLD-fMRI responses in brain areas exhibiting negative BOLD cerebrovascular reactivity indicate that steal phenomenon does not always result from exhausted cerebrovascular reserve capacity

IntroductionBrain areas exhibiting negative blood oxygenation-level dependent cerebrovascular reactivity (BOLD-CVR) responses to carbon dioxide (CO2) are thought to suffer from a completely exhausted autoregulatory cerebrovascular reserve capacity and exhibit vascular steal phenomenon. If this assumption is correct, the presence of vascular steal phenomenon should subsequently result in an equal negative fMRI signal response during a motor-task based BOLD-fMRI study (increase in metabolism without an increase in cerebral blood flow due to exhausted reserve capacity) in otherwise functional brain tissue. To investigate this premise, the aim of this study was to further investigate motor-task based BOLD-fMRI signal responses in brain areas exhibiting negative BOLD-CVR. Material and methodsSeventy-one datasets of patients with cerebrovascular steno-occlusive disease without motor defects, who underwent a CO2-calibrated motor task-based BOLD-fMRI study with a fingertapping paradigm and a subsequent BOLD-CVR study with a precisely controlled CO2-challenge during the same MRI examination, were included. We compared BOLD-fMRI signal responses in the bilateral pre- and postcentral gyri – i.e. Region of Interest (ROI) with the corresponding BOLD-CVR in this ROI. The ROI was determined using a second level group analysis of the BOLD-fMRI task study of 42 healthy individuals undergoing the same study protocol. ResultsAn overall decrease in BOLD-CVR was associated with a decrease in BOLD-fMRI signal response within the ROI. For patients exhibiting negative BOLD-CVR, we found both positive and negative motor-task based BOLD-fMRI signal responses. ConclusionWe show that the presence of negative BOLD-CVR responses to CO2 is associated with heterogeneous motor task-based BOLD-fMRI signal responses, where some patients show -more presumed- negative BOLD-fMRI signal responses, while other patient showed positive BOLD-fMRI signal responses. This finding may indicate that the autoregulatory vasodilatory reserve capacity does not always need to be completely exhausted for vascular steal phenomenon to occur.

Risk of Colorectal Cancer and Colorectal Cancer Mortality Beginning One Year after a Negative Fecal Occult Blood Test, among Screen-Eligible 76- to 85-Year-Olds.

Colorectal cancer screening is universally recommended for adults ages 45 to 75 years. Noninvasive fecal occult blood tests are effective screening tests recommended by guidelines. However, empirical evidence to inform older adults' decisions about whether to continue screening is sparse, especially for individuals with prior screening. This study used a retrospective cohort of older adults at three Kaiser Permanente integrated healthcare systems (Northern California, Southern California, Washington) and Parkland Health. Beginning 1 year following a negative stool-based screening test, cumulative risks of colorectal cancer incidence, colorectal cancer mortality (accounting for deaths from other causes), and non-colorectal cancer mortality were estimated. Cumulative incidence of colorectal cancer in screen-eligible adults ages 76 to 85 with a negative fecal occult blood test 1 year ago (N = 118,269) was 0.23% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.20%-0.26%] after 2 years and 1.21% (95% CI, 1.13%-1.30%) after 8 years. Cumulative colorectal cancer mortality was 0.03% (95% CI, 0.02%-0.04%) after 2 years and 0.33% (95% CI, 0.28%-0.39%) after 8 years. Cumulative risk of death from non-colorectal cancer causes was 4.81% (95% CI, 4.68%-4.96%) after 2 years and 28.40% (95% CI, 27.95%-28.85%) after 8 years. Among 76- to 85-year-olds with a recent negative stool-based test, cumulative colorectal cancer incidence and mortality estimates were low, especially within 2 years; death from other causes was over 100 times more likely than death from colorectal cancer. These findings of low absolute colorectal cancer risk, and comparatively higher risk of death from other causes, can inform decision-making regarding whether and when to continue colorectal cancer screening beyond age 75 among screen-eligible adults.

Native-Valve Aspergillus Endocarditis: Case Report and Literature Review.

Aspergillus endocarditis represents the second etiological cause of prosthetic endocarditis following Candida spp. On the other hand, native-valve endocarditis due to Aspergillus are anecdotally reported with increasing numbers in the last decade due to new diagnostic technologies such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on samples like valve tissue or entire blood. We performed a review of the literature presenting one case report observed at Pisa University Hospital. Seventy-four case reports have been included in a period between 1950-2022. Immunocompromised status (patients with solid tumor/oncohematological cancer or transplanted patients) was confirmed to be the main risk factor for this rare opportunistic infection with a high rate of metastatic infection (above all, central nervous system) and mortality. Diagnosis relies on serum galactomannan and culture with PCR on valve tissue or whole blood. Cardiac surgery was revealed to be a life-saving priority as well as appropriate antifungal therapy including b-liposomal amphotericin or new triazoles (isavuconazole). The endocarditis team, facing negative blood culture endocarditis affecting an immunocompromised patient, should investigate this difficult-to-treat pathogen.

Treatment of Deep Mediastinal Infections Following Cardiac Surgery with Pectoral Muscle Flap

Introduction: Mediastinitis is a rare occurrence following cardiac surgeries; however, it is a significant cause of both mortality and morbidity. Given the significance of mediastinal infections, early diagnosis, and treatment become of paramount importance. The management of this condition necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, involving collaboration and coordination among various medical specialties. Patients and Methods: 21 patients with a diagnosis of deep mediastinal infection who were treated at Eskişehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty Hospital between January 2015 and May 2021 were included in the study. Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, serial debridement, and vacuum-assisted closure were applied to all patients. Among the patients who exhibited negative blood cultures and developed granulation tissue, those with tissue losses that did not extend to the sternum incision sites were assessed for potential flap procedures in conjunction with plastic and reconstructive surgery. In such cases, closure of the wound was achieved using a pectoral muscle flap. All patients were followed for one year. Results: Among the patients, 14 (66.6%) were female and seven (33.3%) were male, with a mean age of 62.7 ± 6.5 (range: 41-76 years). Three of the 21 patients included in the study had type I, two had type II, and 16 had type IIIA mediastinitis. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was the most commonly isolated microorganism with 11 patients (52.3%). The right pectoralis major muscle was used in four patients (19%), the left pectoralis major muscle in four patients (19%), and the bilateral pectoralis major muscle in 13 patients (62%). There was no need for re-intervention in the follow-up of the patients. No mortality because of infection, surgical muscle flap closure, and/or cardiac causes was observed in any of the patients who were treated. Conclusion: Mediastinitis is a costly treatment, requiring prolonged hospitalization and carrying the risk of mortality. The main objective is to prevent the occurrence of mediastinitis. We believe that this objective should be pursued through a multidisciplinary approach involving cardiovascular surgery, infectious diseases, and plastic and reconstructive surgery units.

Haemovigilance and Trends of Transfusion Transmissible Viral Infections among Asymptomatic Population at Akatsi South Municipal in Volta Region of Ghana from 2014 to 2019

Background: The use of advance screening tools to prevent Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs), is critical to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG.3.3). This study assessed the implications of using chromatographic Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDTs) kits, and dynamics on TTIs, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among blood donors at the Akatsi South Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana. Methods: This was a haemovigilance study, designed to retrospectively evaluate secondary data on 2,588 blood donors in Akatsi South District Hospital from 2014 to 2019. The data was collected using data extraction log, quality controlled using double data entry mechanism, and managed electronically using Microsoft Visual Basics and STATA. TTIs’ trends were determined using frequentist and descriptive statistics, and 95% confidence intervals using the Clopper Pearson test. Results: Prevalence of TTIs was 8.0%. The prevalence of HIV as well as HBV and HCV, was 3.8%, 3.2% and 1.0% respectively. For female hosts, the prevalence was 7.4% (HIV), 4.2 % (HBV) and 1.6% (HCV). For Male-host, the rates were 3.1% (HIV), 3.5% (HBV) and 1.0% (HVC). Donors aged 15-19years were most infected at rates of 13.2% (HIV), 4.7% (HBV) and 1.9% (HCV). About 57(2.4%) and 3(1.2%) of 2380 blood donated were TTIs false negatives and false positives respectively. Conclusion: Generally, there was reductive trends in prevalence of named TTIs, including HIV at a rate of 30.3% across the period. However, the rate of new HIV infections was above the regional and national rates, and this has research and policy implications. In addition, the limitation of current screening tool to detect about 2.4% of named TTIs among the screened blood was a potential risk medium for transfusing unsafe blood. A relatively higher sensitive blood transfusion screening method is urgently needed to prevent the transfusion of HIV, HBV and HCV false negative blood in Akatsi Municipal Hospital.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in early onset neonatal

Objectives Neonatal sepsis is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although blood culture is the gold standard of sepsis diagnosis, it often lacks sensitivity and diagnostic speed. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a widely available, effective, simple, and affordable marker that can predict early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS).&#x0D; Objective To assess the correlation between PLR and EONS as well as the diagnostic value of PLR for predicting EONS.&#x0D; Methods This study included all inpatient neonates with suspected early-onset neonatal sepsis at Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Neonates were categorized into sepsis (confirmed by positive blood culture results) and non-sepsis (negative blood culture results) groups. Bivariate analysis, including the chi-square test for categorical data and independent t-test for numerical data, was performed to identify any significant associations between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and EONS. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated to determine the optimal PLR cut-off point to predict EONS.&#x0D; Results In this study, we investigated the relationship between PLR and early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) in 176 neonates with suspected EONS. Blood cultures confirmed sepsis in 84 neonates (47.7%), with Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most common causative organism. We found a significant positive correlation between PLR and EONS (p&lt;0.001), and a PLR cut-off point of 61.806 was identified to predict EONS with high sensitivity (90.2%) and specificity (85.7%)&#x0D; Conclusion Our study demonstrates a strong positive correlation between PLR and EONS, and a PLR cut-off point of 61.806 can be used as a valuable marker for predicting EONS in neonates with suspected sepsis. These findings could aid in the early identification and treatment of neonates with sepsis, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Comparison of diagnoses of early-onset sepsis associated with use of Sepsis Risk Calculator versus NICE CG149: a prospective, population-wide cohort study in London, UK, 2020–2021

ObjectiveWe sought to compare the incidence of early-onset sepsis (EOS) in infants ≥34 weeks’ gestation identified >24 hours after birth, in hospitals using the Kaiser Permanente Sepsis Risk Calculator (SRC)...

Exploration of sepsis assisting parameters in hospital autopsied-patients: a prospective study

Although Sepsis-3 doesn’t require evidence of bacteremia to diagnose sepsis, clinicians often want to identify the causative pathogen at autopsy. In principle, if the blood cultures are the same at ante- and postmortem, the cause of death is obvious. However, interpretations of postmortem blood cultures are often difficult due to discordance, negativity, mixed infection, and contamination, of pathogens occupying ≥ 50% of the tests. To increase specificity identifying agonal phase sepsis in the situations where blood cultures are discordant, multiple or negative at postmortem, we established a scoring system using blood cultures, procalcitonin (PCN) showing highest sensitivity and specificity for postmortem serum, and bone marrow polyhemophagocytosis (PHP). Histological sepsis showed significantly higher levels of culture score (2.3 ± 1.5 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, p < 0.001), PHP score (2.5 ± 0.8 vs. 1.0 ± 1.1, p < 0.001), and PCN score (1.8 ± 0.8 vs. 0.8 ± 0.6, p < 0.01) than non-septic patients. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that estimation of three scores was the most reliable indicator for recognizing agonal phase sepsis. These findings suggest that the combination of these three inspections enables to determine the pathological diagnoses of sepsis even it is not obvious by discordant, mixed or negative blood cultures.

Global stress and daily general and type 1 diabetes stressors and links to daily affect and diabetes outcomes during emerging adulthood.

We examined how global stress and general stressors of daily life relate to emotional well-being and type 1 diabetes (T1D) outcomes and amplify the effects of diabetes stressors in emerging adults. Two-hundred and seven 18-19-year-olds with T1D (duration 8.47 years) completed the Perceived Stress Scale (global stress) and a daily diary assessing daily diabetes and general stressors, positive and negative affect, self-care behaviors, and blood glucose (BG). Multi-level analyses indicated that global stress and within-person daily general and diabetes stressors were associated with more negative and less positive affect. In addition, general stress (between-person) was associated with more negative affect. Global stress amplified the association between daily diabetes stressors and negative affect, with greater affect reactivity to stress for those experiencing higher global stress. Global stress and both within- and between-person diabetes stressors were associated with lower self-care and higher BG. Emerging adults' general stressors in their daily lives relate to poorer well-being beyond the experience of diabetes stressors.

Development of ELISA kit for serological diagnosis of Q fever

In this study, it was aimed to develop an ELISA diagnostic kit that can be used in the serological investigation of Q fever disease caused by C. burnetii. For this purpose, bovine, sheep, goat and buffalo sera were tested with a commercial ELISA kit and home-made ELISA kit developed using two different conjugates. Of the 92 buffaloes blood serum samples tested, 22 (23.9%) were found positive by commercial ELISA kit, 7 (7.6%) and 29 (31.5%) were positive by protein-A conjugated ELISA and 29 anti-bovine IgG conjugated ELISA, respectively. In addition, Q fever positive and negative cattle, sheep, and goat blood sera that were found to be positive and negative for Q fever in a previous study conducted on animals with abortion history were also re-examined in our laboratory. In conclusion, within the scope of the project, an alternative homemade ELISA kit was developed for the serological diagnosis of Q fever and serum samples of the target species of buffalo, cattle, sheep, and goats were tested. Thus, the home-made ELISA kit, which can be used in research aimed at detecting seropositivity, especially in buffalo sera, was made ready for use. It was concluded that the data obtained would contribute to wider ranging epidemiological studies. The epidemiology of the disease can be revealed in detail in the light of research to be carried out with more comprehensive projects in our region.

Infective endocarditis with negative blood cultures in patient with end-stage renal disease treated with peritoneal dialysis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an inflammatory disease involving a proliferative-destructive processes, usually of streptococcal or staphylococcal etiology. It may also be caused by the physiological flora of the oral cavity, mainly gram-negative bacteria from the HACEK group. IE typically develops in damaged areas of the endocardium. Bacterial vegetations are found in majority on valves but they may be as well visualised in blood vessels, ventricles, on mechanical valves, electrodes and intracardiac catheters. Risk factors for endocarditis concern the growing population of adults with congenital heart disease and patients with frequent healthcare contact for other comorbidities, also patients who are immunocompromised, treated with hemodialysis or use intravenous drugs. The diagnosis of IE is made by the use of transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography, also other imaging techniques are used. Blood cultures also should be taken. However, it was estimated that approximately 10% of patients have cultures and serologic tests negative for IE. In our study we present a case of a 51-year-old man with end-stage renal disease treated with peritoneal dialysis for 3 weeks prior to hospital admission with an acute infection of unknown origin. Infective endocarditis was suspected based on echocardiography examination. In this case PET-CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) was performed for verification. Its result as well as sterile blood cultures did not fully confirm the diagnosis of IE. Despite the access to highly specialized diagnostic methods and broad spectrum antibiotics the diagnosis and treatment were not easy. This story of patient’s disease can be the confirmation that IE is heterogeneous in etiology, clinical manifestations, and course.

CORRELATION BETWEEN BLOOD GROUP, AGE &amp; GENDER WITH COVID-19 INFECTION

Background. Covid-19, conjointly referred to as severe acute metabolism syndrome appeared in December 2019 by a new Corona virus. The virus originated from Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei Province and unfold everywhere the globe and have become a worldwide pandemic due to lack of cure.&#x0D; Aim:To study the association of ABO Blood Group, Rh, Age and gender with and COVID-19 infection.&#x0D; Material and methods. This retrospective study was conducted after the approval college research committee of Teerthanker Mahaveer medical college and research center. The study period of this study is from 12 March 2021 to 12 March 2022. The current research included 3000 Covid-19 patients confirmed by RTPCR test and admitted in the Teerthanker Mahaveer University Hospital, Moradabad. Covid -19 positive patient’s age, gender, ABO blood group, Rh factor and personal data was collected from the medical record department.&#x0D; Results. The most common blood group affected was B+ (1,119, 37.3%) followed by O+ (729, 24.3%), A+ (653, 21.8%), AB+ (330, 11.0%), B- (77, 2.6%), O- (36, 1.2%), A-(36, 1.2%) and AB- (20, 0.7%). Among study population, 69 (2.3%) belonged to 1-10 years, 157 (5.2%) belonged to 11-20 years, 727 (24.2%) belonged to 21-30 years, 479 (16.0%) belonged to 31-40 years, 455 (15.2%) belonged to 41-50 years, 584 (19.5%) belonged to 51-60 years, 377 (12.6%) belonged to 61-70 years, 114 (3.8%) belonged to 71-80 years and 38 (1.3%) belonged to above 80 years. The study population consisted of 1,811 (60.4%) males and 1,189 (39.6%) females.&#x0D; Conclusions. The findings of this study are In our study we found that age group that was most vulnerable was 21-30 years. We also observed that Males were affected more as compared to females and the blood group that was affected most was B positive and least numbers of patients affected are of AB negative blood group.