Journal of immunoassay & immunochemistry最新文献

Breast is a major global health issue and the most common cancer in women. Identifying vascular invasion is challenging due to the need to distinguish true invasion from artifacts. This study explored lymphatic embolism in invasive breast carcinoma using the monoclonal antibody D2-40 as a prognostic indicator. A total of 100 patients with invasive breast carcinoma from 2009 to 2011 were included in the study. Tissue microarray technique (TMA) was used on patient tissue, constructing three paraffin blocks from each participant's histological data. Immunohistochemistry with D2-40 and CD34 antibodies was performed to identify lymphatic and blood emboli, respectively, and results were compared with previous findings. A prior report using hematoxylin-eosin staining found fewer patients with lymphatic emboli (34) compared to our study (56) using D2-40. Lymphatic emboli correlated with axillary metastases, with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.50, a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.92-5.08, and a p-value of 0.001, whereas hematoxylin-eosin alone showed OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 0.40-3.47, and p-value = 0.23. TMA with D2-40 staining detected more lymphatic emboli than hematoxylin-eosin staining alone. Higher embolic expression rates are linked to increased tumor aggressiveness, worse prognosis and shorter overall survival.

Introduction: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) expression is not well-studied in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer. We aim to study the prevalence of EGFR immunohistochemical expression in HER2-positive breast carcinomas and to correlate this expression with different anatomo-clinical parameters.

Methods: It was a retrospective study involving cases of HER2-positive breast carcinoma collected at the Immuno-Histo-Cytology Department of Salah Azaïez Institute of Tunis between 2018 and 2020. An immunohistochemical study using the anti-human EGFR monoclonal antibody was performed. Cases with an overall score ≥1+ were considered positive.

Results: Fifty patients were included. EGFR expression in HER2-positive breast carcinomas was more likely to occur in patients under the age of 50 (p = 0.063). It was significantly associated with the absence of lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.047). In multivariate analysis, young age, absence of lympho-vascular invasion, and high Ki67 proliferation index (>60%) were independently associated with positive EGFR expression (p = 0.047, p = 0.040, and p = 0.050, respectively).

Conclusion: Through this first Tunisian study, our data revealed that the immunohistochemical expression of EGFR is associated with young age, absence of lymphovascular invasion, and a high mitotic index (Ki67), which may suggest a potential predictive value for chemotherapy response.

The identification of biomarkers for pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis (CF) is inevitable. We aimed to evaluate the serum levels of substance p (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide (PACAP), at time of pulmonary exacerbation and after treatment with antibiotics. Twenty cystic fibrosis patients with mean age of 8.83 years (±4.37) were enrolled. Serum samples were taken at the time of admission and two weeks post-antibiotic therapy. Serum levels of target markers were determined using ELISA. Serum SP, NPY, and PACAP levels were significantly higher at exacerbation (229.22 ± 73.86 pg/ml, 1869.89 ± 787.14 pg/ml, and 32,261.51 ± 22283.78 fg/ml, respectively) than post-antibiotic therapy (206.29 ± 77.83 pg/ml, 1412.95 ± 647.09 pg/ml, and 17,359.39 ± 10105.39 fg/ml, respectively; p < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between serum levels of SP and PACAP (r = 0.515, p = 0.020) and NPY (r = 0.779, p < 0.001), and between NPY and PACAP (r = 0.513, p = 0.021). A negative correlation was found between NPY and BMI z-score (r = -0.503, p = 0.024). As a conclusion, serum SP, NPY and PACAP levels are potential biomarkers for CF pulmonary exacerbations and response to antibiotic therapy.

The diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is challenging in the absence of goblet cells (GC). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) may be useful to highlight intestinal differentiation in samples lacking GC. In this study, we aimed to describe the IHC expression of CDX2 in columnar cells of BE and to assess its diagnostic and prognostic utility. This retrospective study, conducted from 2010-2015,included cases suspicious of BE examined in our pathology department. Only cases positive for GC (Alcian Blue positive) were diagnosed as BE. An automated IHC analysis was performed using CDX2. Nuclear CDX2 expression was evaluated in IM zones(goblet cells) and adjacent tissue (columnar cells). OF 39 cases, the diagnosis of BE was confirmed in 34 cases. The mean age of patients was 53 years with a male-to-female ratio of 2.4.Endoscopically, 20 patients had short-segment BE (59%), 8 had ultra-short-segment BE (23%) and 6 had long-segment BE (18%).Histologically, an associated adenocarcinoma was found in two cases. In non-neoplastic BE, nuclear CDX2 expression was observed in both GC (88.2%) and adjacent columnar cells(26.5%). A statistically significant association was found between CDX2 expression and GC (p < 0.005).Both adenocarcinoma cases were CDX2-positive in BE areas but CDX2-negative in tumor foci. CDX2 has a high sensitivity and specificity for IM and its expression is associated with GC. However, its low expression in adjacent columnar cells limits its benefit in BE specimens lacking GC.

Genetics plays a crucial role in the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), including Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). This study evaluated the relationship between TRAF3IP2 and SIGIRR gene expression, their polymorphisms (rs13210247 and rs7396562, respectively), and AITDs risk. Gene expression and polymorphism genotyping were assessed by real-time PCR in 150 participants (50 GD, 50 HT, and 50 controls). TRAF3IP2 expression was considerably higher in GD and HT in contrast to controls. Regression analysis of TRAF3IP2 rs13210247 demonstrated a significant association with GD and HT risk. The AG genotype proved a considerable relationship with GD risk. At the same time, the AG genotype and the G allele exhibited a notable relationship with HT incidence. SIGIRR expression was notably downregulated in GD and HT versus controls. For rs7396562, the regression analysis demonstrated that the CA, AA, CA+AA genotypes, and A allele significantly correlated with GD risk. They are also notably linked with HT risk. We concluded that altered TRAF3IP2 and SIGIRR gene expression and their genetic variants may contribute to AITDs susceptibility.

Conventional oral vaccine delivery in poultry is challenging due to vaccine degradation in the gastrointestinal (GI) environment and the need for cold-chain storage. Microencapsulation offers a solution by protecting vaccines from GI degradation and improving stability. Natural polymers like alginate and cashew gum have mucoadhesive properties, making them promising candidates for oral vaccine delivery. This study developed cashew-alginate microbeads and a powdered dose form for oral vaccine delivery in chickens. The microbeads were created using ionotropic gelation, while the powdered form was obtained via freeze-drying. These formulations were characterized for size, shape, and stability using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), light microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). Peak adhesion time (PAT) was determined using chicken intestinal and esophageal tissues, and antigenicity was assessed with in-vitro hemagglutination (HA) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays. The microbeads exhibited a spherical shape with a porous structure, suggesting enhanced antigen accommodation. Hemagglutination Inhibition tests indicated that the experimental vaccine remained effective without cold-chain storage for three months. These findings suggest that cashew-alginate microbeads are promising for oral vaccine delivery in poultry.

Background: Although numerous mechanisms are involved in vitiligo pathogenesis, few studies correlate N-acetyltransferase 2 to this disease.

Aim: To assess the N-acetyltransferase 2 (rs1799929) gene and its serum levels in vitiligo patients.

Subjects and methods: In this case-control study, 65 vitiligo cases were compared to 65 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum NAT2 levels and the NAT2 gene polymorphism (rs1799929) were evaluated using ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively.

Results: Serum N-acetyltransferase 2 levels were significantly lower in cases than in controls, 1.24 ± 0.31 vs. 2.01 ± 0.46 (p = 0.001). CC genotype was more dominant in controls (58.5%) than in cases (20%). TT and CT genotypes were more dominant in cases (30.8% and 49.2%) than in controls (13.8% and 27.7%), respectively (p = 0.001). The C allele was more prominent in controls (72.3%) than in cases (44.6%) while the T allele was more dominant in cases (55.4%) than in controls (27.7%) (p = 0.001). N-acetyltransferase 2 slow acetylator phenotype (TT genotype) was higher in cases (30.8%) than in controls (13.8%) and rapid acetylator phenotypes (CC and CT genotypes) were higher in controls (86.2%) than in cases (69.2%) (p = 0.035).

Conclusion: Slow acetylator genotype (TT) of NAT2 gene (rs1799929) and low serum levels of NAT2 enzyme might play a role in the susceptibility and pathogenesis of vitiligo.

Althoughchronic hepatitis C (CHC) therapies based on direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents safely improved treatment effectiveness, some cases do not obtain sustained virological response (SVR) and, thus, evaluating factors that may be related to treatment failure is very important. We aimed to evaluate the association of baseline serum collagen IV with DAA treatment failure in Egyptian patients with CHC. A total of 175 CHC patients (100 responders and 75non-responders tosofosbuvir/daclatasvir) were included. Collagen IV was assessed using sensitive chemiluminescent immunoassay. There was distinctly higher (P < 0.0001) collagen IV in non-responders compared to responder patients as the median (interquartile range) were 19.02 (13.4-25.2) vs.9.7 (7.2-12.3) µg/L, respectively. Collagen IV has a good ability for distinguishing nonresponders from responder patients (AUC = 0.890) with sensitivity of 92%, specificity 72%, PPV 71.1%, NPV 92.3% and accuracy of 80.6%. Collagen IV was correlated (p < 0.05) with decreased albumin (r=-0.266), elevated APRI (r = 0.288), and elevated FIB-4 (r = 0.281) scores. In conclusion,these findings suggested the remarkable role of baseline collagen IV in the prediction of HCV DAAs treatment response. Thus, however further studies are needed, its measurement may improve treatment duration and the disease control.

SARS-CoV-2, identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, is the third coronavirus responsible for a global epidemic, following SARS-CoV (2002) and MERS-CoV (2012). Given the recent emergence of COVID-19, comprehensive immunological data are still limited. The susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection are influenced by various host factors, including hormonal changes, genetic variations, inflammatory biomarkers, and behavioral attitudes. Identifying genetic factors contributing to infection severity may accelerate therapeutic development, including drug repurposing, natural extracts, and post-vaccine interventions (Initiative and Covid, 2021). This review discusses the human protein machinery involved in (a) SARS-CoV-2 host receptors, (b) the human immune response, and (c) the impact of demographic and genetic differences on individual risk for COVID-19. This review aims to clarify host factors implicated in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and progression, highlighting potential therapeutic targets and supportive treatment strategies.

Background: Nigeria remains one of the countries with a high hepatitis B virus (HBV) burden in Africa. Reports have indicated the presence of mixed HBV genotypes in Nigeria; however, there is still paucity of data regarding mixed genotype infections particularly in the Southern part of the country.

Objective: Our aim is to determine the HBV genotype distribution among HBsAg-positive gastroenterology patients at the University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria.

Method: Serum samples were screened for HBsAg by ELISA, and positive samples were genotyped by semi-nested multiplex PCR for HBV genotypes A, B, C, D, E and F.

Results: Data generated were analyzed in R-studio. A total of 81/90 (90%) of HBsAg-positive samples were successfully genotyped, and genotype A was most prevalent with 15.7%, while genotypes B and E were the least with 1.2% each. Genotypes A/C infection was the highest among mixed infections with 40% prevalence, while genotypes A/D were the least prevalent mixed infection with 4.8%.

Conclusion: We advocate for a comprehensive genotype analysis in larger cohorts across Nigeria, to give a more comprehensive understanding of the distribution and prevalence of different HBV genotypes population wide.