Comparison of PCR, culture, and serological tests for diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory tract infection in children.

For diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection we compared two rapid tests, PCR and the immunoglobulin M immunofluorescence assay (IgM IFA), with culture and the complement fixation test (CFT), in a prospective study among 92 children with respiratory tract infection and 74 controls. Based on positivity of culture and/or CFT as the diagnostic criterion, nine patients (10%) were diagnosed with M. pneumoniae infection. All patients positive by culture were also positive by PCR. In all controls cultures, PCRs, and serological assays were negative, except in one with a positive IgM IFA. The IgM IFA had a low positive predictive value of 50%. Only a combination of PCR (seven patients) and CFT (seven patients) allowed diagnosis of all cases.

A giant congenital orbital tumor: an unusual presentation of retinoblastoma.

We report a case of an unusual giant congenital tumor presenting in a newborn infant as a large exophytic mass emerging from the left orbit. After enucleation orbital recurrence developed within 14 days. No anti-tumor treatment was given and the child died at the age of 4 weeks. The histopathological and cytogenetical analysis of the tumor is presented. The tumor was diagnosed as a retinoblastoma but we could not exclude the possibility of a neuroblastoma.

Phenotype of partial trisomy 8 (p21 leads to qter) in two unrelated patients with de novo translocation.

Two unrelated patients with a de novo partial trisomy 8 (q21 leads to qter) are presented. They had strikingly similar phenotypes, characterised by a wide face with hypertelorism, a broad based nose, malformed ears, micrognathia, and a very short neck. A cleft palate, cardiac defects, and hydronephrosis were present in both patients. The relation between the 8qter syndrome and trisomy 8 (Warkany syndrome) is discussed.