These results, combined with previous findings indicating alterations in histamine levels in patients with PD, suggest that alterations of histamine homeostasis in the SNC are associated with the risk for PD.

Anti-nucleosome (anti-chromatin) antibodies play a key role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The objective of the present study was to determine the clinical significance of anti-nucleosome (anti-chromatin) antibodies, anti-dsDNA antibodies and anti-histone antibodies in patients with SLE in relation to patients with positive nuclear antibodies and healthy controls. We measured anti-nucleosome (anti-chromatin) antibodies, anti-dsDNA antibodies and anti-histone antibodies in 70 patients with SLE, 35 antinuclear antibody (ANA)-positive subjects without autoimmune disease and 35 blood donors. All antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We obtained the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) for each autoantibody. Likewise, we obtained the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative likelihood ratios for each autoantibody. The highest AUC was obtained for anti-nucleosome (0.898) and the lowest AUC for a kit for anti-dsDNA (0.725). Stratification of the control group (ANA-positive subjects without autoimmune disease and blood donors) produced significant changes in the AUCs; all AUCs decreased when ANA-positive patients without autoimmune disease were considered as controls and all AUCs increased when blood donors were considered as controls. These effects were less marked in anti-dsDNA antibodies. We observed discrepancies between kits (anti-nucleosome and anti-chromatin and two for anti-dsDNA). The highest sensitivity for SLE was obtained for anti-nucleosome antibodies (86%) and the highest specificity was obtained for anti-dsDNA antibodies (90%). In conclusion, anti-nucleosome and anti-chromatin kits show different degrees of clinical accuracy due to the cut-off selected by the manufacturer. Once the kits with the best performance and the optimal cut-offs have been selected, anti-nucleosome antibodies and anti-dsDNA antibodies provide similar information in established SLE.

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Oxidative stress contributes to hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced liver damage. The activity of antioxidant glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) T1 and M1 is polymorphic. The GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes were identified in 139 HCV-infected patients and in 329 healthy individuals. Among patients, there was an excess of GSTT1 (odds ratio [OR], 2.76 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77-4.30]; P<.001) and GSTM1 (OR, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.02-2.35]; P=.032) null genotypes and of double-null haplotypes (OR, 3.65 [95% CI, 1.98-6.75]; P<.001). The GSTT1 null genotype, particularly if associated with the GSTM1 null genotype, may facilitate HCV infection becoming chronic.

Fluorescent flow cytometry performance has recently spread for urine screening. However, controversy about cytometer results can be drawn from medical literature. This study shows the diagnosis accuracy of Sysmex UF-1000i analyzer by means of a group of decision rules encompassing both demographic variables (age) and cytometer parameters (bacteria, leucocytes and bacteria morphology). After applying the predictive algorithm, the UF-1000i could optimally identify 95% urinary tract infections with high negative predictive value and low diagnostic error. Implementation of UF-1000i would avoid culturing almost 38% of urine samples, thus reducing time to diagnosis, unnecessary antibiotic treatments and consequently improving cost-effectiveness.

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SUMMARY: Our aims were to determine the seroprevalence rates for the most common types of zoonosis among the population of Extremadura (southwestern Spain) and to identify the associated risk factors. We conducted a seroepidemiological survey to collect information on family background and the habits of people residing in Extremadura between 2002 and 2003. Antibodies to Brucella were determined by Rose Bengal staining and a standard tube agglutination test; a titer of 1/80 was considered to be positive. Antibody titers for spotted fever, leishmaniasis, echinococcosis, and toxoplasmosis were determined by enzyme-immunoassays. Independent risk factors identified were age (younger age for brucellosis), male gender (brucellosis, spotted fever, and toxoplasmosis), occupation and contact with animals (brucellosis and spotted fever for those in contact with goats, hydatidosis for those in contact with sheep, leishmaniasis for those in contact with dogs, and toxoplasmosis for those in contact with cats and pigs), and consuming contaminated food (brucellosis by eating fresh cheese, hydatidosis by eating homemade sausages, and toxoplasmosis by eating pork). Except for leishmaniasis, the other zoonoses were more prevalent in rural areas, and, with the exception of brucellosis, they were all more prevalent in Badajoz. The distribution of zoonoses in Extremadura was strongly influenced by keeping livestock and eating habits. Thus, brucellosis was more prevalent in Caceres (associated with cheese consumption), while toxoplasmosis (pork consumption) and spotted fever (from hunting) were more common in Badajoz.