Developing and validating anti-ADA2 single-chain antibodies coupled to alkaline phosphatase for diagnosing pleural tuberculosis.

Introduction: Adenosine deaminases ADA1 and ADA2 reduce adenosine concentrations, which regulate cellular immune responses to activation signals. It has been shown that ADA2 activity increases in the pleural fluid of patients with tuberculosis (TB).

Methods: We engineered recombinant scFv-AP antibodies using phage display technology to select high-affinity binders against ADA2.

Pleural fluid biomarkers to predict response to pleurodesis or indwelling pleural catheter for malignant pleural effusion: still a long way to go.

This letter summarizes the current literature on pleural fluid biomarkers that predict treatment response to chemical pleurodesis and indwelling pleural catheters in patients with malignant pleural effusion. We found evidence on pleural fluid biomarkers to be limited to a few small studies, where the biomarkers prognostic value was not tested in separate validation cohorts. Although low pleural fluid LDH, high glucose, and high pH levels are associated with pleurodesis success, no clinically valuable biomarker has been identified.

Pleural fluid C-C class chemokines 22 and pleural effusion due to heart failure: a prospective and double-blind diagnostic accuracy test.

Background: Previous studies have indicated that C-C class chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22) is involved in the pathogenesis of tuberculous pleural effusion and malignant pleural effusion. However, the diagnostic role of pleural fluid CCL22 levels in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions remains to be elucidated.

Methods: We prospectively recruited patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion who visited two centres (Hohhot and Changshu) in China.

Percutaneous core needle biopsy guided by ultrasound: a narrative review.

Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) is a highly effective technique for diagnosing tumoral and inflammatory/infectious diseases. The procedure provides real-time visualization of anatomical structures such as vessels and nerves, reducing complications and enhancing accuracy. Traditionally performed by interventional radiologists, CNB can also be safely and effectively conducted by another specialists, including general physicians, thanks to the widespread availability of Point-of-Care Ultrasound.

Development and validation of a diagnostic prediction model for heart failure-related pleural effusions: the BANCA score.

Aim: Heart failure (HF) is a common cause of pleural effusion (PE); however, its diagnosis can be challenging owing to overlapping clinical features with other causes. Measuring N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels is diagnostically useful, but the optimal cut-off point must be determined. This study aimed to optimise NT-proBNP cut-offs for diagnosing HF-related PEs and develop a scoring model to improve diagnostic precision.

The combination of cytospin Diff-Quik and conventional cytological examination increases the diagnostic yield for malignant pleural effusion.

https://bit.ly/4eGJmip.

Thoracic ultrasound in hemodialysis: Assessing fluid overload and dialysis efficacy.

Fluid overload in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) usually results in pleural effusions (PEs). While volume overload remains the primary etiology of PE, other possible causes must be ruled out. Thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) is a practical and efficient method for evaluating volume in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), although evidence regarding its usefulness in this context is limited.

Predictors of Survival in Metastatic Malignant Pleural Effusions: The GASENT Score.

Objective: The therapeutic approach for metastatic malignant pleural effusion depends on the patient's life expectancy. Can survival be accurately estimated in these patients using a risk-prediction model?

Methods: A prospective, single-center study was conducted to examine the prognostic value of pre-established variables (multivariate Cox model). Subsequently, a prognostic score was developed and validated.

Current Trends in Treating Malignant Pleural Effusion: Evidence, Guidelines, and Best Practice Recommendations.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is common in individuals with cancer and typically reflects advanced disease. Most cases are symptomatic, with dyspnea and pain having a severe effect on the patient's quality of life (QOL). The management of MPE aims to relieve symptoms, improve QOL, prevent repeated pleural interventions, and minimize hospital admissions.

Pleural Effusion Identified by Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Septic Shock: Impact on Clinical Outcomes.

To analyze the association between pleural effusion detected by chest point of care ultrasound (POCUS) and clinical outcomes in patients with septic shock admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). A prospective evaluation of ICU patients with septic shock in whom chest POCUS was performed during the first 24 hours of diagnosis to identify the presence and characteristics of pleural effusion. Of 45 patients with septic shock, 17 (38%) had pleural effusion.

Association of Smoking with Disease Progression in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: Smoking remains a significant issue that increases the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its progression to secondary progressive forms. Objectives: The goal is to identify the relationship between smoking and disease progression in MS patients who have undergone autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) at the Centro de Hematología y Medicina Interna, Clínica Ruiz, Puebla, Mexico. Methods: This retrospective study involved MS patients treated with auto-HSCT, followed for 12 months.

Ultrasound for body composition assessment: a narrative review.

Ultrasound has become an increasingly valuable tool for the assessment of body composition, offering several applications and indications in clinical practice. Ultrasound allows bedside evaluation of muscle mass, fat compartments, and extravascular water, providing a cost-effective, portable, and accessible alternative to traditional methods, such as Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), Computed Tomography (CT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). It is particularly useful in evaluating conditions, such as malnutrition, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity, which require poor muscle mass to establish a diagnosis.

Pleural pro-gastrin releasing peptide is a potential diagnostic marker for malignant pleural effusion induced by small-cell lung cancer.

Background: Serum pro-gastrin releasing peptide (proGRP) is a well-recognized diagnostic marker for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Pleural effusion is common in patients with advanced SCLC. The diagnostic accuracy of pleural proGRP for malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has not yet been established.

Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has become an increasingly prevalent complication in oncological patients, negatively impacting their quality of life and casting a shadow over their prognosis. Owing to the pathophysiological mechanisms involved and the heterogeneous nature of the underlying disease, this entity is both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Advances in the understanding of MPE have led to a shift in the treatment paradigm towards a more personalized approach.

ERS statement on benign pleural effusions in adults.

The incidence of non-malignant pleural effusions far outweighs that of malignant pleural effusions and is estimated to be at least 3-fold higher. These so-called benign effusions do not follow a "benign course" in many cases, with mortality rates matching and sometimes exceeding those of malignant pleural effusions. In addition to the impact on patients, healthcare systems are also significantly affected, with recent US epidemiological data demonstrating that 75% of resource allocation for pleural effusion management is spent on non-malignant pleural effusions (excluding empyema).

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy: A Focus on Indications, Techniques and Complications.

The main purpose of this narrative review is to educate general practitioners about a crucial pleural procedure, namely local anesthetic thoracoscopy (LAT), and to provide established respiratory physicians with an expert opinion-based summary of the literature. This narrative review focuses on the indications, technical aspects and complications of LAT, highlighting its safety and high degree of diagnostic sensitivity for patients who present with an unexplained pleural effusion and have a high pre-test probability of cancer.

Erratum: Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion.

An erratum was issued for: Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion. The Authors section was updated from: Uffe Bodtger José M. Porcel Rahul Bhatnagar Mohammed Munavvar Casper Jensen Paul Frost Clementsen Daniel Bech Rasmussen Respiratory Research Unit PLUZ, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark Pleural Medicine Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, IRBLleida Respiratory Department, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust Academic Respiratory Unit, University of Bristol Lancashire Teaching Hospitals University of Central Lancashire Centre for HR and Education, Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation to: Uffe Bodtger José M.