Clinical Laboratory 

About: Clinical Laboratory is an academic journal published by Clinical Laboratory Publications. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Internal medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 1433-6510. Over the lifetime, 3270 publications have been published receiving 28352 citations. The journal is also known as: Clinical laboratory (Mainz).

Hepatitis B--an important public health issue.

Abstract: Hepatitis B is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. It has been estimated that 350 million people worldwide are chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. The global prevalence of chronic HBV infection varies widely, from high ( > 8%, e.g., Africa, Asia and the Western Pacific) to intermediate (2-7% e.g., Southern and Eastern Europe) and low (< 2%, e.g., Western Europe, North America and Australia). The predominant routes of transmission vary according to the endemicity of the HBV infection. In areas of high endemicity, perinatal transmission is the main route of transmission, whereas in areas of low endemicity, sexual contact amongst high-risk adults is predominant. Between one-third and one-quarter of people infected chronically with HBV are expected to develop progressive liver disease (including cirrhosis and primary liver cancer). Although mass vaccination programs have begun to control the spread of HBV infection, therapeutic intervention is the only option for those with established chronic HBV-associated liver disease. Until recently, the only treatment for chronic hepatitis B was the immune modulator, interferon (IFN) alpha. However, IFN alpha treatment has several disadvantages; it is expensive, it must be administered by injection, there are side-effects, and IFN alpha is poorly tolerated. Lamivudine, a nucleoside analogue, is the first effective, and well tolerated, oral treatment for chronic hepatitis B. In conclusion, although we are still some way from eradicating or curing chronic hepatitis B, the advent of lamivudine allows new populations to benefit from therapy and helps to address the global public health problem of hepatitis B.

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b) as a marker of bone resorption.

Abstract: Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) is an enzyme that is expressed in high amounts by bone resorbing osteoclasts, inflammatory macrophages and dendritic cells. Two forms of TRACP circulate in human blood, TRACP 5a derived from macrophages and dendritic cells, and TRACP 5b derived from osteoclasts. Recent data have demonstrated the utility of TRACP 5b as a marker of osteoclast number and bone resorption, and serum TRACP 5a as a marker of inflammatory conditions. This review summarizes the scientific knowledge on the role of TRACP in osteoclastic bone resorption, the mechanism of TRACP 5b generation in osteoclasts and its secretion into the blood circulation, the methodology of measuring TRACP 5b, diagnostic evidence for the use of TRACP 5b as a resorption marker, and characteristics of TRACP 5b compared to other commonly used bone turnover markers.

Laboratory-based diagnosis of brucellosis--a review of the literature. Part II: serological tests for brucellosis.

Abstract: Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease transmittable to humans from infected animal reservoirs. Malta, Rock, Gibraltar, Cyprus or Mediterranean fever, Bang's disease, intermittent typhoid or typho-malarial fever, undulant fever, etc. are just various synonyms for brucellosis. Patients suffering from this disease show unspecific symptoms, e.g. fever, chills, malaise, arthralgia, headache, tiredness and weakness. Human brucellosis may be caused by four of totally six genetically and phenotypically closely related Brucella species, i.e. B. melitensis, B. abortus, B. suis and B. canis. Although many organ systems may be involved, brucellosis is rarely fatal. Therapeutic failure and relapses, chronic courses and severe complications like bone and joint involvement, neurobrucellosis and endocarditis are characteristic for the disease. A definite diagnosis requires the isolation of Brucellae from blood, bone marrow or other tissues. However, cultural examinations are time-consuming, hazardous and not sensitive. Thus, clinicians often rely on the indirect proof of infection. The detection of high or rising titers of specific antibodies in the serum allows a tentative diagnosis. A variety of serological tests has been applied, but at least two serological tests have to be combined to avoid false negative results. Usually, the serum agglutination test is used for a first screening and complement fixation or Coombs' test will confirm its results. As Brucella ELISAs are more sensitive and specific than other serological tests, they may replace them step by step. This review will summarize advantages and disadvantages of the serological techniques used in clinical laboratories for indirect verification of human brucellosis.

Haptoglobin: function and polymorphism.

Abstract: Haptoglobin is an acute phase protein capable of binding haemoglobin, thus preventing iron loss and renal damage. Haptoglobin also acts as an antioxidant, has antibacterial activity and plays a role in modulating many aspects of the acute phase response. There are 3 major haptoglobin phenotypes--Hp(1-1), Hp(2-1) and Hp(2-2). Possession of a particular phenotype has been associated with a variety of common disorders (e.g. cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, malignancy), a fact which can only be explained by the idea that possession of a particular phenotype offers some protection against the development of these disorders. Knowledge of phenotype could therefore aid in the prognosis of disease and allow treatment to be better tailored to suit an individuals' needs.