Latest news with #clinicaldiagnosis
Medscape
13-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
DIF Microscopy Helps Diagnose Pediatric Skin Diseases
Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) microscopy showed a 15.5% positivity rate in pediatric patients and changed the clinical diagnosis in 16.7% of those cases. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a retrospective review of DIF data from 986 patients aged 0-18 years (mean age, 12 years) at the Mayo Clinic's reference immunodermatology laboratory between August 2017 and November 2023. Biopsy sites included head and neck (cutaneous), head and neck (mucosal), trunk, pelvic region, upper extremities, and lower extremities. Results were classified as positive if characteristic immunofluorescence patterns were observed (pemphigoid pattern, pemphigus pattern, lupus pattern, dermatitis herpetiformis pattern, linear immunoglobulin A [IgA] bullous dermatosis pattern, vasculitis/vasculopathy pattern, or lichenoid tissue reaction pattern). During the same period, 40,859 DIF specimens from adults were also interpreted. TAKEAWAY: The DIF positivity rate was 15.5% in children and 20.9% in adult specimens. IgA-predominant vasculitis was the most frequent DIF pattern in children (55.5%), followed by lichenoid tissue reaction (13.7%), pemphigoid disorders (7.2%), lupus (7.2%), dermatitis herpetiformis (5.2%), linear IgA bullous dermatosis (4.6%), pemphigus (3.3%), and non-IgA predominant vasculitis (3.3%). Of the 114 positive DIF patterns with a pretest diagnosis, researchers observed 'relatively high' concordance between the clinical pretest diagnosis and DIF results (83.3%), but in 16.7% of cases, the initial clinical impression differed from positive DIF results. Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (100%) and dermatitis herpetiformis (100%) showed the highest concordance. Specimens from the lower extremities showed the highest yield of positive DIF compared with all other sites (19.7% vs 12.2%; P = .001). IN PRACTICE: The study findings showed that 'similar thresholds for DIF biopsy are held' for pediatric and adult patients and 'high concordance rates between positive DIF studies and clinical pretest diagnosis imply acceptable test specificity,' the study authors wrote. 'The study demonstrated that DIF results provided information that changed the clinical impressions in a substantial percentage of cases, supporting the utility of DIF biopsy when immune-mediated dermatoses are clinically suspected,' they added. SOURCE: The study was led by Clint Christian T. Garbanzos, MD, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, and was published online on May 29 in Pediatric Dermatology . LIMITATIONS: Limitations included the retrospective design and lack of a negative analysis. False-positive and false-negative results could not be determined. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by the American Society of Dermatopathology Mentorship in Dermatopathology Award. The authors declared having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. Credit Lead image: Frontline Medical Communications Medscape Medical News © 2025 WebMD, LLC Cite this: Edited by Deepa Varma. Direct Immunofluorescence Microscopy Helps Diagnose Pediatric Skin Diseases - Medscape - June 13, 2025.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Ambassador Yin Chengwu and Liberian Defense Minister Inspect China-Aided Project in Liberia
On May 15, Ambassador Yin Chengwu and Liberia's Minister of National Defense, Hon. Geraldine Janet George, jointly inspected the China-Aid Project of National Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Laboratory in Liberia. Yin stated that the project demonstrates China's firm commitment to implementing the outcomes of the meeting between the two heads of state and the FOCAC Beijing Summit. He emphasized that the initiative stands as a significant achievement in advancing practical cooperation between the two nations. He urged the construction team to prioritize safety, ensure timely and high-quality completion of the project, and contribute further to the development of China-Liberia relations. Defense Minister George expressed Liberia's high regard for the project, pledging full support to coordinate with the Chinese construction team and ensure the initiative aligns with Liberia's AIID agenda. The project manager provided a progress update, affirming that all efforts will be made to accelerate construction in accordance with the requirements. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Liberia.
