A B S T R A C T S   N U M E R O   4 / 1998

Evaluation of erythocyte indices for rapid detection of cold agglutinins.

*Ricci E, De Michele M.B., Cesta R., Franceschelli G.
*ASL di Pescara, Presidio Ospedaliero di Popoli, Laboratorio di Analisi Chimico-Cliniche e Microbiologia

Biochimica Clinica 1998; 22(4): 193-195 [Article in italian]

ABSTRACT. Eigth patients with highly increased MCV, MCH and MCHC values were studied. Three of them showed marked increase of MCV and MCH, but substantially normal MCHC; these values remained substantially unchanged upon repeating the measurements at 37°C; their serum cold agglutinins titre was normal (£1/16). In the remaining five, MCH and MCHC showed extremely increased, up to "absurd" values or values outside the measuring interval of the instrument, while MCV values were normal or only slightly increased; upon re-measuring at 37°C the indices' values dropped down significantly; their serum cold agglutinins titre was highly elevated (³1/1024). It is concluded that simultaneous elevation of MCH and MCHC is highly predictive for the presence of cold agglutinins.

Comparing three routine methods for measuring serum HDL colestherol.

*Ottaviani R., Vanni S., Bosi M.R., Vanni D., Vanni P., Boddi V.
*Dip. Scienze Biochimiche, v.le Morgagni 50, Firenze

Biochimica Clinica 1998; 22(4): 196-199 [Article in italian]

ABSTRACT. We describe a statistical study of three routine methods for measuring serum HDL colestherol concentration, without comparison with a reference method. The assays were carried out with three different methods: the first (1) and the third (3) with direct readings without pretreatments; the second (2) one including a magnetic- separation step. Results of method 2, with magnetic particles, agree with those from method 1(direct), whereas the results of method 3 (direct) differ form the others, showing increasingly lower values as HDL-c concentration increases.

Vitro evaluation of blood platelet function in patients with cerebro-vascular ischemic disease by analyser PFA-100TM

*De Lucia D., Pezzella S., Del Giudice V., Marotta R., Maisto G., Ricciolino G., Puca G.A.
*Istituto di Patologia Generale ed Oncologia, Laboratorio di Emostasi e Trombosi Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli - Napoli

Biochimica Clinica 1998; 22(4): 200-202 [Article in italian]

ABSTRACT. A new in vitro system for the detection of platelet dysfunction PFA-100TM, has been developed. PFA-100TM is a system for in vitro measurement of platelet function in anticoagulated whole blood. The measurement scheme of the system is based on the original principle described by Kratzer and Born. The instrument aspirates a blood sample under constant vacuum from the sample reservoir through a capillary and a microscopic hole cut into a membrane. The membrane is coated with collagen and epinephrine or adenosine 5'-diphosphate. Herein, we reported the results obtained from the general population (n=100) referred to our laboratory of Haemostasis and Thrombosis and those found in cerebrovascular ischemic patients (n=20) suffering from ischemic Stroke. We have found significant differences between patients and controls. Our results demonstrate that the PFA-100TM can to have potential applications in routine evaluation of platelet function in the clinical setting because of its accurancy, ease of operation an rapid turnaround of results. Therefore, it may be of great interest also for studying patients with cerebrovascular ischemic episodes under high Shear-Stress rates.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in monitoring inflammatory processes.

*Cappellini A., Galli L., Berni R., Giordani R.
*Laboratorio di Analisi Cliniche - Clinica Medica II - Università degli Studi di Pisa - Via Roma, 54 - 56100 Pisa

Biochimica Clinica 1998; 22(4): 203-205 [Article in italian]

ABSTRACT. In order to assess the relative merits of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and of serum C-reactive protein concentration (CRP) in monitoring the inflammatory process, these two quantities have been measured in a cohort of 364 individuals, including 134 control subjects and 230 patients. There was acceptable positive correlation between the two variables, with a small proportion of cases (7,7) exhibiting discordant results. The study shows that in most cases the two measurements provide similar clinical information, although the CRP has the advantage of a more rapid response to the inflammatory event. Nevertheless, the measurement of the ESR is an easy to perform, low-cost test, and it is advantageous in the monitoring of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Characterization of cryoglobulins by IFE on agarose gel: comparative evaluation of two methods

*De Francesco D, Maino A., Monti G, Saccardo F, Ciapini A.
*Laboratorio Analisi Chimica Clinica e Microbiologica

Biochimica Clinica 1998; 22(4): 206-209 [Article in italian]

ABSTRACT. For the immunochemical characterization of cryoglobulins by IFE on agarose gel, we compared an Idrasys Sebia semiautomatic system, at 37°C, with a Paragon IFE Beckman manual system, at room temperature, with the addition of dithiotreitol to the migration buffer. We examined 35 patients with cryoglobulinemias and we succeded in classifying 31 of them using the new system, and 28 using the current standard one. We divided results into 4 groups named type I,II,III according to Brouet and "microeterogeneous" type according to Musset. Classification by the two methods was concordant in 24 cases, discordant in 7 cases; 4 serum samples were not classified. The greatest disagreements concerned the classification as microeterogeneous type, which is better defined with the new system. The new system offers some advantages: less time for analysis, easier execution and interpretation, better standardization. It also shows a better sensitivity: it always identified the l light chains, it enables the characterization of cryoglobulins present in trace amount; it allow the visualization of new oligoclonal aspects which are not presents in Brouet's classification but which will surely have a phisiopatological importance in the future.

Revealing hepatitis C virus genome in peripheral lymphocytes of infectet individuals by in situ hybridization.

Pezzella M., Ferrazzi M., Sturchio E., Vonesch N.
*Dipartimento Malattie Infettive, Policlinico Umberto I, Università La Sapienza Roma

Biochimica Clinica 1998; 22(4): 210-214 [Article in italian]

ABSTRACT. The localization of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed by nonisotopic in situ hybridization using a digoxigenin-labeled sense and antisense RNA probes. Positive RNA strands were detected in all 10 patients whereas negative strands were detected in six patients by using computerized image analysis. This study supports the contention that HCV infects peripheral blood mononuclear cells and replicates in them. Moreover non radioactive in situ hybridization may be a tool to analyse the localization and replication of hepatitis C virus.

Oligoelements in clinical nutrition. Part I: Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Manganese.

*Comi D., Comi A.L., Comi C.N.
*Servizio di Dietologia e Nutrizione Clinica, Azienda Ospedaliera - Polo Universitario Luigi Sacco, Milano

Biochimica Clinica 1998; 22(4): 215-221 [Article in italian]

ABSTRACT. The accurate measurement of the various essential inorganic micronutrientes in biological fluids has been made possible by advances in analytical techniques. Nevertheless the need for trace elements, in micromolar amounts or less per day, in healthy condition, remains poorly understood. The main reasons why the knowledge concerning the essential trace element metabolism in disease has not rapidly advanced are:

• only heavy deficiency, for a prolonged period, may lead to development of clinical symptoms.
• often, sub-optimal intake leads to multiple changes in biochemistry, wich are difficult to measure, and minimal deficits of trace elements do not give clinical evidence. However, the finding of a low amount or low concentration of a trace element suggests the need of a nutritional approach to compensate the deficiency, and to avoid the development of pathological conditions.

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