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Van Besien K, Liu H, Rich ES, Godley LA, Odenike O, Joseph L, Kline JP, Nguyen VH, Cunningham JM, Larson RA, Stock W, Wickrema A, Artz AS. Reduced intensity conditioning with combined haploidentical and cord blood transplantation results in rapid engrafment and durable remissions. J Clin Oncol 2011. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2011.29.15_suppl.6525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Khan Z, Ahmad S, Joseph L, Chandy R, Theyyathel A. Comparative in vitro susceptibility of clinical isolates of Candida paparsilosis complex and other Candida species to caspofungin and anidulafungin by Etest. J Chemother 2011; 23:97-101. [PMID: 21571626 DOI: 10.1179/joc.2011.23.2.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
In vitro susceptibility of 141 clinical isolates of Candida species to caspofungin and anidulafungin is reported. the Etest was performed according to recommended procedure and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were read after 24 h of incubation at 35 °C. Applying a breakpoint of <2 mg/ml, all Candida spp. isolates, except those belonging to C. parapsilosis complex, were susceptible. The geometric mean for caspofungin and anidulafungin for different Candida spp. were as follows: Candida parapsilosis, 0.438 and 3.355 μg/ml; Candida orthopsilosis, 0.210 and 1.456 μg/ml; Candida albicans, 0.049 and 0.007 μg/ml; Candida dubliniensis, 0.077 and 0.009 μg/ml; Candida tropicalis, 0.061 and 0.027 μg/ml; Candida glabrata, 0.120 and 0.032 μg/ml; and Candida krusei, 0.288 and 0.052 μg/ml, respectively. Anidulafungin was significantly more active than caspofungin (p <0.001) except for C. parapsilosis complex spp. isolates. In conclusion, our Etest MICs compared well with epidemiological cutoff values derived from a large number of Candida spp. isolates tested by CLSI method in previous studies. However, considering the differences in MICs of the two echinocandins for C. parapsilosis complex isolates, the Etest needs further evaluation for its suitability.
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Sheth S, Ben-Shoshan M, Harrington D, Soller L, Joseph L, St. Pierre Y, Godefroy S, Elliott S, Waserman S, Alizadehfar R. Impact of Precautionary Statements on Purchasing Practices of Canadians Directly and Indirectly Affected by Food Allergies. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.12.944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Soller L, Fragapane J, Ben-Shoshan M, Harrington D, Alizadehfar R, Joseph L, St-Pierre Y, Godefroy S, Elliott S, Clarke A. Food Avoidance Following Physician Diagnosis Of Food Allergy: Results From A Canadian Study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.12.940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Shepherd K, Brown L, Bishop P, Joseph L, Doran H, Martin J, Barber P, Booton R. 29 In the absence of EBUS, blind TBNA is an important tool for patients with suspected thoracic malignancy. Lung Cancer 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s0169-5002(11)70029-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Brown L, Chaturvedi A, Doran H, Joseph L, Bishop P, Barber P, Booton R. 42 Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial biopsy/brush of peripheral pulmonary nodules: an initial cancer centre experience. Lung Cancer 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s0169-5002(11)70042-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Joseph L, Velayudhan A, Muraleedharan C. Assignment of values for a set of in-house developed verification masses using an inter laboratory comparison approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METROLOGY AND QUALITY ENGINEERING 2011. [DOI: 10.1051/ijmqe/2011002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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Brown L, Joseph L, Dale C, Ashton G, Pepper S, Landberg G, Barber P, Booton R. 3 Maximising archival resources to unravel the transcriptome of squamous cell carcinoma. Lung Cancer 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s0169-5002(11)70003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Brown L, Chaturvedi A, Bishop P, Joseph L, Doran H, Shah R, Krysiak P, Martin J, Barber P, Booton R. 41 Adequacy of EBUS transbronchial needle aspirates to facilitate the histological sub-classification of thoracic malignancy. Lung Cancer 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s0169-5002(11)70041-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Pritchard CC, Akagi L, Reddy PL, Joseph L, Tait JF. COLD-PCR enhanced melting curve analysis improves diagnostic accuracy for KRAS mutations in colorectal carcinoma. BMC Clin Pathol 2010; 10:6. [PMID: 21110880 PMCID: PMC3001699 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6890-10-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2010] [Accepted: 11/26/2010] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background KRAS mutational analysis is the standard of care prior to initiation of treatments targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Sensitive methods are required to reliably detect KRAS mutations in tumor samples due to admixture with non-mutated cells. Many laboratories have implemented sensitive tests for KRAS mutations, but the methods often require expensive instrumentation and reagents, parallel reactions, multiple steps, or opening PCR tubes. Methods We developed a highly sensitive, single-reaction, closed-tube strategy to detect all clinically significant mutations in KRAS codons 12 and 13 using the Roche LightCycler® instrument. The assay detects mutations via PCR-melting curve analysis with a Cy5.5-labeled sensor probe that straddles codons 12 and 13. Incorporating a fast COLD-PCR cycling program with a critical denaturation temperature (Tc) of 81°C increased the sensitivity of the assay >10-fold for the majority of KRAS mutations. Results We compared the COLD-PCR enhanced melting curve method to melting curve analysis without COLD-PCR and to traditional Sanger sequencing. In a cohort of 61 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded colorectal cancer specimens, 29/61 were classified as mutant and 28/61 as wild type across all methods. Importantly, 4/61 (6%) were re-classified from wild type to mutant by the more sensitive COLD-PCR melting curve method. These 4 samples were confirmed to harbor clinically-significant KRAS mutations by COLD-PCR DNA sequencing. Five independent mixing studies using mutation-discordant pairs of cell lines and patient specimens demonstrated that the COLD-PCR enhanced melting curve assay could consistently detect down to 1% mutant DNA in a wild type background. Conclusions We have developed and validated an inexpensive, rapid, and highly sensitive clinical assay for KRAS mutations that is the first report of COLD-PCR combined with probe-based melting curve analysis. This assay significantly improved diagnostic accuracy compared to traditional PCR and direct sequencing.
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Mackinnon AC, Tretiakova M, Henderson L, Mehta RG, Yan BC, Joseph L, Krausz T, Husain AN, Reid ME, Salgia R. Paxillin expression and amplification in early lung lesions of high-risk patients, lung adenocarcinoma and metastatic disease. J Clin Pathol 2010; 64:16-24. [PMID: 21045234 PMCID: PMC3002839 DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2010.075853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Paxillin is a modular protein that localises to cell adhesion sites where it facilitates bidirectional communication between the intracellular actin cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. These complex and dynamic interactions are essential for cell adhesion, cell migration and cell survival. The authors have previously demonstrated that paxillin is overexpressed in lung cancer tissues and identified somatic paxillin mutations in 9% of lung cancers. A murine in vivo xenograft model of the most common paxillin mutation (A127T) showed increased cell proliferation and invasive tumour growth, establishing an important role for paxillin in the development of lung cancer. Methods The authors analysed 279 bronchoscopy-aided biopsy specimens from 92 high-risk patients. Adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features and pure bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) were analysed with fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results Paxillin is overexpressed in premalignant areas of hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia and goblet cell metaplasia, as well as dysplastic lesions and carcinoma in high-risk patients. Concordance between increased paxillin gene copy number and paxillin overexpression was observed in cases of adenocarcinoma eusomic for chromosome 12. Conclusions Paxillin overexpression occurs during the earliest stages of lung cancer development. FISH and IHC analysis of lung adenocarcinoma suggests that relatively small-scale genomic rearrangements of chromosome 12 are associated with paxillin overexpression in lung adenocarcinoma.
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Chowdhary A, Randhawa HS, Khan ZU, Ahmad S, Juneja S, Sharma B, Roy P, Sundar G, Joseph L. First isolations in India of Candida nivariensis, a globally emerging opportunistic pathogen. Med Mycol 2010; 48:416-20. [PMID: 19626545 DOI: 10.1080/13693780903114231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We randomly screened 363 yeast isolates during 2008 for their ability to form white colonies on CHROM agar Candida medium. Two of these isolates (0.5%) were identified as Candida nivariensis based on detailed phenotypic characterization and DNA sequencing. One was recovered from the sputum of an HIV-positive patient with a pneumonic lesion and the second from the blood of a diabetic with oropharyngeal lesions. Direct DNA sequencing of the D1/D2 region of 28S rRNA gene and/or the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA confirmed that both of the isolates were C. nivariensis. The carbohydrate assimilation profiles with the ID 32 C and VITEK 2 yeast identification systems revealed only glucose assimilation. In vitro antifungal susceptibility profiles by broth microdilution and Etest methods revealed susceptibility of both isolates to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine, with low MICs for posaconazole and caspofungin. These results document the occurrence of Candida nivariensis for the first time in India and focus on its potential as an opportunistic human pathogen.
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Holgren C, Dougherty U, Edwin F, Cerasi D, Taylor I, Fichera A, Joseph L, Bissonnette M, Khare S. Sprouty-2 controls c-Met expression and metastatic potential of colon cancer cells: sprouty/c-Met upregulation in human colonic adenocarcinomas. Oncogene 2010; 29:5241-53. [PMID: 20661223 PMCID: PMC2945447 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Sprouty negatively regulates receptor tyrosine kinase signals by inhibiting Ras/ERK pathways. Sprouty is down-regulated in breast, prostate and liver cancers and appears to function as a tumor suppressor. The role of Sprouty in colonic neoplasia, however, has not been investigated. Sprouty-2 protein and mRNA transcripts were significantly up-regulated in human colonic adenocarcinomas. Strikingly, the c-Met receptor was also upregulated in tumors with increased sprouty-2. To delineate a potential causal relationship between sprouty-2 and c-Met, K-ras mutant HCT-116 colon cancer cells were transduced with purified TAT-sprouty-2 protein or stably transfected with full-length human sprouty-2 gene. Sprouty-2 up-regulation significantly increased cell proliferation by accelerating cell cycle transition. Sprouty-2 transfectants demonstrated strong up-regulation of c-Met protein and mRNA transcripts and hepatocyte growth factor stimulated ERK and Akt phosphorylation and enhanced cell migration and invasion. In contrast, knockdown of c-Met by siRNA significantly decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion in sprouty-2 transfectants. Further, knockdown of sprouty-2 by siRNA in parental HT-29 and LS-174T colon cancer cells also decreased cell invasion. Sprouty-2 transfectants formed significantly larger tumor xenografts and demonstrated increased proliferation and angiogenesis and suppressed apoptosis. Sprouty-2 tumors metastasized to liver from cecal orthotopic implants suggesting sprouty-2 might also enhance metastatic signals. Thus in colon cancer sprouty functions as an oncogene and its effects are mediated in part by c-Met up-regulation.
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Toon A, Hughes JM, Joseph L. Multilocus analysis of honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae) highlights spatio-temporal heterogeneity in the influence of biogeographic barriers in the Australian monsoonal zone. Mol Ecol 2010; 19:2980-94. [PMID: 20609078 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2010.04730.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Multilocus studies in phylogenetics and comparative phylogeography have the power to explore a broader spectrum of evolutionary questions than either discipline has alone. To examine the origins of sympatry in a group of closely related birds of mostly mesic eucalypt woodlands in Australia, we reconstructed the relationships among species of Entomyzon and Melithreptus honeyeaters (Aves: Passeriformes: Meliphagidae) using a mitochondrial marker, ND2, and six non-coding nuclear loci (total 4719 base pairs). By sampling across the geographical range of each species, we studied not only their phylogenetic relationships to each other but also the spatial distribution of their genetic diversity. We tested several biogeographic hypotheses concerning the role of Pleistocene environmental change in Australia. Phylogenetic gene trees support the current understanding of E. cyanotis as the sister to Melithreptus. Non-monophyly of M. lunatus in Australia's southern temperate woodlands highlights the need for a revision of systematics within Melithreptus. Phylogeographic analysis of the three northern species in Australia's monsoon tropics, M. gularis, M. albogularis and E. cyanotis, suggests that the roles of the Carpentarian and Torresian Barriers in shaping geographic structure in each of the species have been more complex and temporally dynamic than earlier morphology-based arguments of vicariance had suggested. We discuss their roles as ecological filters as well as barriers.
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Soller L, Ben-Shoshan M, Fragapane J, Joseph L, St Pierre Y, Harada L, Fortin C, Allen M, Clarke AE. Treatment of initial allergic reactions to peanut inside and outside of health care facilities. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 2010. [PMCID: PMC2874302 DOI: 10.1186/1710-1492-6-s1-p31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Chowdhary A, Randhawa HS, Khan ZU, Ahmad S, Juneja S, Sharma B, Roy P, Sundar G, Joseph L. First isolations in India ofCandida nivariensis, a globally emerging opportunistic pathogen. Med Mycol 2010. [DOI: 10.3109/13693780903114231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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117
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van Besien K, Dew A, Lin S, Joseph L, Godley LA, Larson RA, Odenike T, Rich E, Stock W, Wickrema A, Artz AS. Patterns and kinetics of T-cell chimerism after allo transplant with alemtuzumab-based conditioning: mixed chimerism protects from GVHD, but does not portend disease recurrence. Leuk Lymphoma 2010; 50:1809-17. [PMID: 19821799 DOI: 10.3109/10428190903200790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed the kinetics of CD3 chimerism in 120 consecutive allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients receiving alemtuzumab-based conditioning. Fifty-two received fludarabine/melphalan, 44 received fludarabine/busulfan, and 24 received clofarabine/melphalan in addition to alemtuzumab. Post-transplant GVHD prophylaxis consisted of tacrolimus. No prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusion or other interventions were used for mixed donor chimerism (MDC). Bone marrow (BM) and/or peripheral blood (PB) samples were obtained at 30 days, 100 days, 180 days, and 1 year following HCT. On Day 30, 15% of assessable patients had MDC in the CD3 compartment. This had increased to 50% by Day 100, and to 63% by Day 180. MDC predicted for a lower risk of acute (p = 0.08) and particularly of chronic GVHD (p = 0.01). MDC was not associated with subsequent relapse or TRM (p = 0.67 and 0.72, respectively). A decline of more than 15% in CD3 chimerism between Day 30 and Day 180 predicted for a 40% risk of subsequent disease recurrence. The observation of MDC after alemtuzumab conditioning does not by itself constitute a risk factor for relapse and should not be used to guide therapeutic intervention. By contrast, declining donor chimerism between Day 30 and Day 180 is associated with a somewhat increased risk of disease recurrence. The high incidence of MDC after alemtuzumab containing conditioning contributes to the low risk of acute and chronic GVHD.
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Ben-Shoshan M, Harrington D, Fragapane J, Soller L, Joseph L, St. Pierre Y, Godefroy S, Elliott S, Clarke A. Food Allergies in Canada: Prevalence and Associated Factors. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.12.842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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119
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Soller L, Fragapane J, Ben-Shoshan M, Harrington D, Joseph L, St. Pierre Y, Godefroy S, Elliott S, Clarke A. Epinephrine auto-injectors (EAIs) in Canadians with Food Allergies. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.12.834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Chad L, Ben-Shoshan M, Alizadehfar R, Fragapane J, Soller L, Joseph L, Harada L, Fortin C, Allen M, Clarke A. Parental Attitudes Towards Epinephrine Auto-Injectors. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.12.829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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121
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Dougherty U, Cerasi D, Taylor I, Kocherginsky M, Tekin U, Badal S, Aluri L, Sehdev A, Cerda S, Mustafi R, Delgado J, Joseph L, Zhu H, Hart J, Threadgill D, Fichera A, Bissonnette M. Epidermal growth factor receptor is required for colonic tumor promotion by dietary fat in the azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium model: roles of transforming growth factor-{alpha} and PTGS2. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:6780-9. [PMID: 19903783 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-1678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Colon cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths. Dietary factors contribute substantially to the risk of this malignancy. Western-style diets promote development of azoxymethane-induced colon cancer. Although we showed that epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) controlled azoxymethane tumorigenesis in standard fat conditions, the role of EGFR in tumor promotion by high dietary fat has not been examined. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A/J x C57BL6/J mice with wild-type Egfr (Egfr(wt)) or loss-of-function waved-2 Egfr (Egfr(wa2)) received azoxymethane followed by standard (5% fat) or western-style (20% fat) diet. As F(1) mice were resistant to azoxymethane, we treated mice with azoxymethane followed by one cycle of inflammation-inducing dextran sulfate sodium to induce tumorigenesis. Mice were sacrificed 12 weeks after dextran sulfate sodium. Tumors were graded for histology and assessed for EGFR ligands and proto-oncogenes by immunostaining, Western blotting, and real-time PCR. RESULTS Egfr(wt) mice gained significantly more weight and had exaggerated insulin resistance compared with Egfr(wa2) mice on high-fat diet. Dietary fat promoted tumor incidence (71.2% versus 36.7%; P < 0.05) and cancer incidence (43.9% versus 16.7%; P < 0.05) only in Egfr(wt) mice. The lipid-rich diet also significantly increased tumor and cancer multiplicity only in Egfr(wt) mice. In tumors, dietary fat and Egfr(wt) upregulated transforming growth factor-alpha, amphiregulin, CTNNB1, MYC, and CCND1, whereas PTGS2 was only increased in Egfr(wt) mice and further upregulated by dietary fat. Notably, dietary fat increased transforming growth factor-alpha in normal colon. CONCLUSIONS EGFR is required for dietary fat-induced weight gain and tumor promotion. EGFR-dependent increases in receptor ligands and PTGS2 likely drive diet-related tumor promotion.
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Bernatsky S, Joseph L, Pineau CA, Belisle P, Lix L, Banerjee D, Clarke AE. Polymyalgia rheumatica prevalence in a population-based sample. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 61:1264-7. [PMID: 19714587 DOI: 10.1002/art.24793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) prevalence using population-based administrative data, and to estimate the error associated with case ascertainment approaches when using these databases. METHODS Cases were ascertained using physician billing and hospitalization data from the province of Manitoba (population 1.1 million). Focusing on the population age >/=45 years, we compared 3 different case definition algorithms and also used statistical methods that accounted for imperfect case ascertainment to estimate the prevalence and the properties of the ascertainment algorithms. A hierarchical Bayesian latent class regression model was developed that also allowed us to assess differences across patient demographics (sex and region of residence). RESULTS Using methods that account for the imperfect nature of both billing and hospitalization databases, we estimated the prevalence of PMR in women age >/=45 years to be lower in urban areas (754.5 cases/100,000; 95% credible interval [95% CrI] 674.1-850.3) compared with rural areas (1,004 cases/100,000; 95% CrI 886.3-1,143). This regional trend was also seen in men age >/=45 years, where the prevalence was estimated at 273.6 cases/100,000 (95% CrI 219.8-347.6) in urban areas and 380.7 cases/100,000 (95% CrI 311.3-468.1) in rural areas. Billing data appeared more sensitive in ascertaining cases than hospitalization data, and a large proportion of diagnoses was made by physicians other than rheumatologists. CONCLUSION These data suggest a higher prevalence of PMR in rural versus urban regions. Our approach demonstrates the usefulness of methods that adjust for the imperfect nature of multiple information sources, which also allow for estimation of the sensitivity of different case ascertainment approaches.
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Tarafder MR, Carabin H, Joseph L, Balolong E, Olveda R, McGarvey ST. Estimating the sensitivity and specificity of Kato-Katz stool examination technique for detection of hookworms, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections in humans in the absence of a 'gold standard'. Int J Parasitol 2009; 40:399-404. [PMID: 19772859 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2009.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2009] [Revised: 08/30/2009] [Accepted: 09/01/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The accuracy of the Kato-Katz technique in identifying individuals with soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections is limited by day-to-day variation in helminth egg excretion, confusion with other parasites and the laboratory technicians' experience. We aimed to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the Kato-Katz technique to detect infection with Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura using a Bayesian approach in the absence of a 'gold standard'. Data were obtained from a longitudinal study conducted between January 2004 and December 2005 in Samar Province, the Philippines. Each participant provided between one and three stool samples over consecutive days. Stool samples were examined using the Kato-Katz technique and reported as positive or negative for STHs. In the presence of measurement error, the true status of each individual is considered as latent data. Using a Bayesian method, we calculated marginal posterior densities of sensitivity and specificity parameters from the product of the likelihood function of observed and latent data. A uniform prior distribution was used (beta distribution: alpha=1, beta=1). A total of 5624 individuals provided at least one stool sample. One, two and three stool samples were provided by 1582, 1893 and 2149 individuals, respectively. All STHs showed variation in test results from day to day. Sensitivity estimates of the Kato-Katz technique for one stool sample were 96.9% (95% Bayesian Credible Interval [BCI]: 96.1%, 97.6%), 65.2% (60.0%, 69.8%) and 91.4% (90.5%, 92.3%), for A. lumbricoides, hookworm and T. trichiura, respectively. Specificity estimates for one stool sample were 96.1% (95.5%, 96.7%), 93.8% (92.4%, 95.4%) and 94.4% (93.2%, 95.5%), for A. lumbricoides, hookworm and T. trichiura, respectively. Our results show that the Kato-Katz technique can perform with reasonable accuracy with one day's stool collection for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Low sensitivity of the Kato-Katz for detection of hookworm infection may be related to rapid degeneration of delicate hookworm eggs with time.
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Khan Z, Ahmad S, Joseph L, Chandy R. Cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Neoscytalidium dimidiatum : First case report from Kuwait. J Mycol Med 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2009.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Jessup M, Cameron-Tucker H, Cummings E, Joseph L, Wainwright C, Reid D. Mentoring people with cystic fibrosis: evaluation of the preparation and process. J Cyst Fibros 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-1993(09)60375-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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