Evaluation of phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin antibody testing for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome: results of an international multicentre study.

Objective A task force of scientists at the International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies recognized that phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT) might contribute to a better identification of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Accordingly, initial and replication retrospective, cross-sectional multicentre studies were conducted to ascertain the value of aPS/PT for APS diagnosis. Methods In the initial study (eight centres, seven countries), clinical/laboratory data were retrospectively collected. Serum/plasma samples were tested for IgG aPS/PT at Inova Diagnostics (Inova) using two ELISA kits. A replication study (five centres, five countries) was carried out afterwards. Results In the initial study ( n = 247), a moderate agreement between the IgG aPS/PT Inova and MBL ELISA kits was observed ( k = 0.598). IgG aPS/PT were more prevalent in APS patients (51%) than in those without (9%), OR 10.8, 95% CI (4.0-29.3), p < 0.0001. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratio of IgG aPS/PT for APS diagnosis were 51%, 91%, 5.9 and 0.5, respectively. In the replication study ( n = 214), a moderate/substantial agreement between the IgG aPS/PT results obtained with both ELISA kits was observed ( k = 0.630). IgG aPS/PT were more prevalent in APS patients (47%) than in those without (12%), OR 6.4, 95% CI (2.6-16), p < 0.0001. Sensitivity, specificity, LR + and LR- for APS diagnosis were 47%, 88%, 3.9 and 0.6, respectively. Conclusions IgG aPS/PT detection is an easily performed laboratory parameter that might contribute to a better and more complete identification of patients with APS.

Study of association of CTLA4 gene variants to non-anterior uveitis.

This study was undertaken to investigate the possible genetic association of functional CTLA4 polymorphisms with susceptibility to non-anterior uveitis. Four hundred and seventeen patients with endogenous non-anterior uveitis and 1517 healthy controls of Spanish Caucasian origin were genotyped for the CTLA4 polymorphisms rs733618, rs5742909 and rs231775, using predesigned TaqMan(©) allele discrimination assays. PLINK software was used for the statistical analyses. No significant associations between the CTLA4 polymorphisms and susceptibility to global non-anterior uveitis were found. It was also the case when the potential association of these genetic variants with the anatomical localization of the disease, such as intermediate, posterior or panuveitis, was assessed. Our results do not support a relevant role of these CTLA4 polymorphisms in the non-anterior uveitis genetic predisposition.

Hyper-Reflective Outer Nuclear Layer (HONL) in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease and Sympathetic Ophthalmia.

PURPOSE: To describe the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of hyper-reflective outer nuclear layer (HONL) in two cases of stromal choroiditis (Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease - VKH, and sympathetic ophthalmia - SO). METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: Clinical and imaging findings of two patients (37-year-old female with VKH and 34-year-old male with SO) have been described. Both patients showed typical features of the disease with subretinal fluid accumulation and choroidal thickening on OCT. However, OCT of both patients at the initial visit revealed HONL, which was unusual in these conditions. During follow-up, OCT scans revealed thinning and atrophy of the outer retinal layers, irregular thickening of the retinal pigment epithelium, and irregular autofluorescence pattern on autofluorescence imaging. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of HONL may serve as a poor prognostic factor in VKH and SO, resulting in thinning and atrophy of the outer retinal layers.

Evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and long-term management of thrombosis in antiphospholipid antibody-positive patients: report of a task force at the 13th International Congress on antiphospholipid antibodies.

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is defined by the presence of thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity in combination with the persistent presence of circulating antiphospholipid antibodies: lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies and/or anti-ß2-glycoprotein I antibodies in medium to high titers. The management of thrombosis in patients with APS is a subject of controversy. This set of recommendations is the result of an effort to produce guidelines for therapy within a group of specialist physicians in Cardiology, Neurology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, with a clinical and research focus on APS.

Anterior tuberculous scleritis: A diagnostic challenge.

CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 26 year-old Pakistani male, who after the presumptive diagnosis of anterior tuberculous scleritis (by an atypical clinical appearance and positive epidemiological link), was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. DISCUSSION: Nodular anterior scleritis is an uncommon presentation of tuberculosis (TB). It is considered a diagnostic challenge because of the difficulty to extract bacilli from the ocular tissue. However, a detailed medical history and eye examination can be the key to an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the TB.

Escleritis anterior tuberculosa: un reto diagnóstico / Anterior tuberculous scleritis: a diagnostic challenge

CASO CLÍNICO: Presentamos el caso de un varón de 26 años de origen pakistaní que, posteriormente al diagnóstico presuntivo de escleritis anterior tuberculosa (por un aspecto biomicroscópico atípico y un nexo epidemiológico positivo), fue diagnosticado de enfermedad tuberculosa pulmonar. DISCUSIÓN: La escleritis anterior nodular es una forma infrecuente de presentación de tuberculosis (TB). Se considera un reto diagnóstico por la dificultad para extraer bacilos del tejido ocular. Sin embargo, una historia clínica y una exploración oftalmológica detalladas pueden ser claves para un diagnóstico certero y un adecuado tratamiento de TB

CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 26 year-old Pakistani male, who after the presumptive diagnosis of anterior tuberculous scleritis (by an atypical clinical appearance and positive epidemiological link), was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. DISCUSSION: Nodular anterior scleritis is an uncommon presentation of tuberculosis (TB). It is considered a diagnostic challenge because of the difficulty to extract bacilli from the ocular tissue. However, a detailed medical history and eye examination can be the key to an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the TB