A B S T R A C T S   N U M E R O   3 / 2 0 0 3

HER2 circolante: valore prognostico e predittivo nel tumore della mammella
Maria Teresa Sandri
Unità di Medicina di Laboratorio, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia - Milano
Biochimica Clinica: 2003; 27(3): 149-156 [Article in italian]

ABSTRACT. The proto-oncogene HER2-neu encodes a transmembrane receptor with tyrosine kinase activity. Amplification of HER2 occurs in 25-30% of breast cancers, and it has been established as a negative prognostic and predictive factor. The receptor extracellular domain (HER2 ECD) can be shed into the blood, due to proteolytic cleavage. Levels of HER2 ECD are increased in advanced breast cancer. Some studies indicate that elevated levels of the protein are associated with worse prognosis and reduced response to treatment.

Human parvovirus B19 and cytomegalovirus infections, and thyroid autoimmunity in women with recurrent first trimester abortion
*Olfat G. Shaker, Azza H. El-Salakawy, Nahed H. Mohammed
*Medical Biochemistry Department, Cairo University, Microbiology
Biochimica Clinica: 2003; 27(3): 157-165 [Article in english]

ABSTRACT. Antithyroid antibodies, parvovirus B19 (B19V) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections were studied to evaluate their role in the pathogenesis of recurrent first trimester abortion, and to elucidate their importance in routine prenatal investigations of women with unexplained recurrent abortion. Sixty women with unexplained recurrent first trimester abortion were the study group and thirty term healthy pregnant women, were selected as a control. Placental and fetal tissues were analyzed for B19V and CMV deoxyribonucleic acids using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Sera were analyzed for T3, T4 and TSH levels, the presence of antithyroid antibodies (thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase), CMV specific IgM antibodies and parvovirus B19-DNA by dot blot hybridization assay. Parvovirus B19-DNA was demonstrated in nearly one third of the aborted products (19/60 = 31.7%) and 6.7% of the placentas of the control group (P <0.001). Sera samples of the two groups were negative for parvovirus B19 viral DNA by dot blot hybridization. Cytomegalovirus - DNA was demonstrated in 7/60 aborted tissues (11.7 %) and one placenta of the control (3.3 %) (P > 0.05). In contrast, only 5 aborting women (8.3 %) and a woman of the control group (3.3%) were CMV-IgM seropositive (P > 0.05). Antithyroglobulin antibody levels were significantly higher in aborting women (7/60) than control (P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant changes in antithyroid peroxidase antibody levels between the two groups. Nine aborting women (15%) were seropositive for one or both of the thyroid autoantibodies compared with two (6.7%) of the control group (P>0.05). We did not find any significant relation between thyroid autoimmunity and viral infections (B19V & CMV) in women with unexplained recurrent first trimester miscarriage. In conclusion, parvovirus B19 infection was found to be an important pathogenic agent in the case of recurrent first trimester abortion. It is essential to investigate for B19V infection among pregnant women with recurrent abortion. This significant finding demonstrates the usefulness of a sensitive molecular tool, PCR assay of parvovirus B19 DNA to aid in the diagnosis. However, testing for cytomegalovirus infection and antithyroid antibodies are not essential as routine prenatal investigations and should be restricted to certain patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.

Konelab 30i (Dasit): valutazione ed impatto in un Laboratorio Ospedaliero di medie dimensioni
Ernesta Cavalcanti*, Isabella Bruno, Antonella Chiefalo, Orlando Figoni, Bruno Dente, Nazario Bevilacqua
*Laboratorio di Patologia Clinica, P.O. San Paolo - ASL 1, Napoli – 80125

Biochimica Clinica: 2003; 27(3): 166-171 [Article in italian]

ABSTRACT. We validated the analytical instrument according to the main guidelines of the European Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standard. Within-run and between-run imprecision was determined with two control materials and a pool of fresh human sera. The accuracy was evaluated comparing the Konelab 30i results with the expected values from two reference materials and with the results obtained on three in-house instruments (Olympus 600, Integra 700 and Image) and calculating the regression parameters with the Passing and Bablok method. Konelab 30i showed a good within-run and between-run precision, a satisfactory accuracy and a close correlation for all biochemical parameters examined with the reference instruments. To assess the system is practicability a questionnaire with questions covering all important aspects of an analytical system was used (according to Stockman protocol). High gradings were especially given to the sections training/operation, sample processing and calibration. The practicability and the good accordance with the conventional analytical methods make the Konelab 30i a qualified instrument for routine and emergency laboratories.

Le proteine del muscolo scheletrico non interferiscono con la misurazione della troponina T cardiaca: evidenza da un caso clinico
Roberto Dominici*, Antonio Castelli, Carlo Franzini
*Ospedale Luigi Sacco, Laboratorio Analisi Chimico-Cliniche, Milano
Biochimica Clinica: 2003; 27(3): 172-173 [Article in italian]

ABSTRACT. Our observation refers to a case of congenital carnitine palmitoyl transferase defect. At the admission the patient presented with high serum levels of LDH, CPK, AST, ALT, CKMB att., CKMB ms. and myoglobin, sometimes exceeding 100 to 350-fold increase above the upper reference limits (URL). Following appropriate treatment the patient improved, while serum protein and enzyme markers reaching normal levels. In spite of other marker's extremely elevated levels, cardiac troponin T concentration always showed normal level, thereby confirming its specificity as a marker of myocardial damage.

Componente monoclonale sierica da parassitosi in un bambino
Letizia Pirovano*, Franca Parizzi, Danilo Corti, Mario Renato Rossi
*Laboratorio Analisi, Ospedale S.Gerardo Monza

Biochimica Clinica: 2003; 27(3): 174-176 [Article in italian]
ABSTRACT. A child about two years old, accepted in the hospital emergency department, presents fever, pancytopenia, organomegaly and has a clinical story of previous feverish episodes and enteritis; a period of stage in Calabria is also referred. Bone marrow examination excludes leukaemia. Blood chemistry shows only a moderate elevation of LDH and a light reduction of serum iron, but serum electrophoresis shows a monoclonal component, typed as IgG Lambda. The finding of anti leishmania antibodies at serological testing and of leishmania sequencies PCR leads to diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. The patient, treated with amphotericin B, reaches full recovery.

Severe Acute Respiratory Sindrome (SARS): una nuova ed intrigante sfida diagnostica
Giuseppe Lippi*, Camilla Mattiuzzi
*Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologico e Biomediche, Sezione Istituto di Chimica Microscopia Clinica, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona
Biochimica Clinica: 2003; 27(3): 177-185 [Article in italian]

ABSTRACT. The recent rise of some emerging infective pathologies has focalized the attention of hygienists, microbiologists and laboratorists, struggling to carry out efficient preventive and diagnostic strategies to circumscribe or eradicate the new epidemics. Owing to the relative aspecificity of the clinical symptoms, to the high virulence of the novel pathogen and to the fast progression of the epidemic, the diagnosis of Severe Acute Respiratory Sindrome (SARS) is actually a puzzling and intriguing diagnostic challenge. Despite the assiduous progress of the scientific knowledge on the nature of the pathogen has substantially slowed down the epidemic spread, the efficiency of the diagnostic protocols appears yet inadequate to ensure a fast and resolute solution to this novel and concerning infection.

Per chi desidera pubblicare su BC, sono disponibili le Istruzioni per gli Autori
Per chi desidera sottoscrivere l'abbonamento a BC, è disponibile la Cedola di Registrazione