Evaluating the potential of IP-10 and MCP-2 as biomarkers for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of diagnostic tests based on interferon-gamma inducible protein (IP)-10 and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-2, and compare the performance with the QuantiFERON TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT; Cellestis, Carnagie, Australia) test. IP-10 and MCP-2 were determined in supernatants from whole blood stimulated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens. Samples were obtained from 80 patients with culture- and/or PCR-proven tuberculosis (TB), and 124 unexposed healthy controls: 86 high school students and 38 high school staff. IP-10 and MCP-2 test cut-offs were established based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. TB patients produced significantly higher levels (median) of IP-10 (2158 pg x mL(-1)) and MCP-2 (379 pg x mL(-1)) compared with interferon (IFN)-gamma (215 pg x mL(-1)). The QFT-IT, IP-10 and MCP-2 tests detected 81, 83 and 71% of the TB patients; 0, 3 and 0% of the high school students and 0, 16 and 3% of the staff, respectively. Agreement between tests was high (>89%). By combining IP-10 and IFN-gamma tests, the detection rate increased among TB patients to 90% without a significant increase in positive responders among the students. In conclusion, interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 and monocyte chemotactic protein-2 responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens could be used to diagnose infection. Combining interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 and interferon-gamma may be a simple approach to increase the detection rate of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific in vitro tests.

Pulverulent nuclear cataract in the Norwegian buhund.

Pulverulent cataracts were diagnosed in 52 of 102 Norwegian buhunds, with both sexes being equally affected. All the dogs were otherwise considered clinically healthy. Initial lens changes were visible from six and a half weeks of age as small dots parallel to the suture lines behind the nucleus. Gradually, the opacities along the suture lines became more opaque until, by the age of four to five and a half years, they had progressed to involve the fetal nucleus which then resembled a ball of candy floss. The outer part, the adult nucleus, usually remained clear, and the cortex was not involved. The ages of the dogs in the present study ranged from three and a half weeks to 12 years at first examination. An outcross of an affected bitch to a mixed-breed dog resulted in three puppies, of which two were affected. The retinas could be evaluated in all the examined dogs, and revealed no abnormalities except for one case of focal retinopathy. In addition to the pulverulent cataracts, 10 cases of cortical cataracts were diagnosed, three of which also had pulverulent cataracts. Based on the pedigrees, an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with a high degree of penetrance is suggested for pulverulent cataract.