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The diagnosis is made on the clinical picture. Routine blood tests (complete blood count, electrolytes, renal function, liver enzymes) are typically performed. Mast cell tryptase levels may be elevated if the attack was due to an acute allergic (anaphylactic) reaction. When the patient has been stabilized, particular investigations may clarify the exact cause; complement levels, especially depletion of complement factors 2 and 4, may indicate deficiency of "C1-inhibitor". HAE type III is a diagnosis of exclusion consisting of observed angioedema along with normal C1 levels and function.
The hereditary form (HAE) often goes undetected for a long time, as its symptoms resemble those of more common disorders, such as allergy or intestinal colic. An important clue is the failure of hereditary angioedema to respond to antihistamines or steroids, a characteristic that distinguishes it from allergic reactions. It is particularly difficult to diagnose HAE in patients whose episodes are confined to the gastrointestinal tract. Besides a family history of the disease, only a laboratory analysis can provide final confirmation. In this analysis, it is usually a reduced complement factor C4, rather than the C1-INH deficiency itself, that is detected. The former is used during the reaction cascade in the complement system of immune defense, which is permanently overactive due to the lack of regulation by C1-INH.
Angioedema is classified as either hereditary or acquired.
In acquired angioedema, HAE types I and II, and nonhistaminergic angioedema, antifibrinolytics such as tranexamic acid or ε-aminocaproic acid may be effective. Cinnarizine may also be useful because it blocks the activation of C4 and can be used in patients with liver disease, while androgens cannot.
In terms of genetic testing, while it is done for "type 1" of this condition, "type 2" will only render (or identify) those genes which place the individual at higher risk. Other methods/exam to ascertain if an individual has autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 2 are:
- CT scan
- MRI
- Ultrasound
Management of autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 2 consists of the following:
The basic tests performed when an immunodeficiency is suspected should include a full blood count (including accurate lymphocyte and granulocyte counts) and immunoglobulin levels (the three most important types of antibodies: IgG, IgA and IgM).
Other tests are performed depending on the suspected disorder:
- Quantification of the different types of mononuclear cells in the blood (i.e. lymphocytes and monocytes): different groups of T lymphocytes (dependent on their cell surface markers, e.g. CD4+, CD8+, CD3+, TCRαβ and TCRγδ), groups of B lymphocytes (CD19, CD20, CD21 and Immunoglobulin), natural killer cells and monocytes (CD15+), as well as activation markers (HLA-DR, CD25, CD80 (B cells).
- Tests for T cell function: skin tests for delayed-type hypersensitivity, cell responses to mitogens and allogeneic cells, cytokine production by cells
- Tests for B cell function: antibodies to routine immunisations and commonly acquired infections, quantification of IgG subclasses
- Tests for phagocyte function: reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium chloride, assays of chemotaxis, bactericidal activity.
Due to the rarity of many primary immunodeficiencies, many of the above tests are highly specialised and tend to be performed in research laboratories.
Criteria for diagnosis were agreed in 1999. For instance, an antibody deficiency can be diagnosed in the presence of low immunoglobulins, recurrent infections and failure of the development of antibodies on exposure to antigens. The 1999 criteria also distinguish between "definitive", "probable" and "possible" in the diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency. "Definitive" diagnosis is made when it is likely that in 20 years, the patient has a >98% chance of the same diagnosis being made; this level of diagnosis is achievable with the detection of a genetic mutation or very specific circumstantial abnormalities. "Probable" diagnosis is made when no genetic diagnosis can be made, but the patient has all other characteristics of a particular disease; the chance of the same diagnosis being made 20 years later is estimated to be 85-97%. Finally, a "possible" diagnosis is made when the patient has only some of the characteristics of a disease are present, but not all.
Given the definition of basophilia, diagnosis is made from a complete blood count where there are more than 10 basophils per liter of blood.
The treatment of primary immunodeficiencies depends foremost on the nature of the abnormality. Somatic treatment of primarily genetic defects is in its infancy. Most treatment is therefore passive and palliative, and falls into two modalities: managing infections and boosting the immune system.
Reduction of exposure to pathogens may be recommended, and in many situations prophylactic antibiotics or antivirals may be advised.
In the case of humoral immune deficiency, immunoglobulin replacement therapy in the form of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) may be available.
In cases of autoimmune disorders, immunosuppression therapies like corticosteroids may be prescribed.
Complement 2 deficiency is a type of complement deficiency caused by any one of several different alterations in the structure of complement component 2.
It has been associated with an increase in infections.
It can present similarly to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Basophilia is a condition where the basophil quantity is abnormally elevated (more than 10 basophils per liter of blood). Basophilia is associated with pruritus (itching) due to the release of histamine.
No major organization recommends universal screening for diabetes as there is no evidence that such a program improve outcomes. Screening is recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in adults without symptoms whose blood pressure is greater than 135/80 mmHg. For those whose blood pressure is less, the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against screening. There is no evidence that it changes the risk of death in this group of people. They also recommend screening among those who are overweight and between the ages of 40 and 70.
The World Health Organization recommends testing those groups at high risk and in 2014 the USPSTF is considering a similar recommendation. High-risk groups in the United States include: those over 45 years old; those with a first degree relative with diabetes; some ethnic groups, including Hispanics, African-Americans, and Native-Americans; a history of gestational diabetes; polycystic ovary syndrome; excess weight; and conditions associated with metabolic syndrome. The American Diabetes Association recommends screening those who have a BMI over 25 (in people of Asian descent screening is recommended for a BMI over 23).
Brittle asthma is a type of asthma distinguishable from other forms by recurrent, severe attacks.
There are two subtypes divided by symptoms: Type 1 and Type 2, depending on the stability of the patient's maximum speed of expiration, or peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Type 1 is characterized by sustained, chronic variability of PEFR, while type 2 is distinguished by sudden unpredictable drops in PEFR where asthma symptoms are otherwise well controlled and the function of the lungs is not substantially impaired.
Brittle asthma is one of the "unstable" subtypes of "difficult asthma", a term used to characterize the less than 5% of asthma cases that do not respond to maximal inhaled treatment, including high doses of corticosteroids combined with additional therapies such as long-acting beta-2 agonists.
In addition to any issues of treatment compliance, and maximised corticosteroids (inhaled or oral) and beta agonist, brittle asthma treatment also involves for type 1 additional subcutaneous injections of beta2 agonist and inhalation of long acting beta-adrenoceptor agonist, whilst type 2 needs allergen avoidance and self-management approaches. Since catastrophic attacks are unpredictable in type 2, patients may display identification of the issue, such as a MedicAlert bracelet, and carry an epinephrine autoinjector.
There are no known ways of preventing LADA type 1 diabetes, though some researchers believe it could be stopped at a very early stage if a diagnosis is made prior to the body's destruction of its beta cells.
Howel–Evans syndrome is an extremely rare condition involving thickening of the skin in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet (hyperkeratosis). This familial disease is associated with a high lifetime risk of esophageal cancer. For this reason, it is sometimes known as tylosis with oesophageal cancer (TOC).
The condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, and it has been linked to a mutation in the "RHBDF2" gene. It was first described in 1958.
Glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA), islet cell autoantibodies (ICA), insulinoma-associated (IA-2) autoantibodies, and zinc transporter autoantibodies (ZnT8) are all associated with LADA; GADAs are commonly found in cases of diabetes mellitus type 1.
The presence of Islet Cell Complement Fixing Autoantibodies also aids in a differential diagnosis between LADA and type 2 diabetes. Persons with LADA often test positive for ICA, whereas type 2 diabetics only seldom do.
Persons with LADA usually test positive for Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies, whereas in type 1 diabetes these antibodies are more commonly seen in adults rather than in children. In addition to being useful in making an early diagnosis for type 1 diabetes mellitus, GAD antibodies tests are used for differential diagnosis between LADA and type 2 diabetes and may also be used for differential diagnosis of gestational diabetes, risk prediction in immediate family members for type 1, as well as a tool to monitor prognosis of the clinical progression of type 1 diabetes.
Acute Cerebellar ataxia is a diagnosis of exclusion. Urgent CT scan is necessary to rule out cerebellar tumor or hemorrhage as cause of the ataxia; however in acute cerebellar ataxia, the CT will be normal. CSF studies are normal earlier in the course of disease. Later on CSF shows moderate elevation of proteins.
The differential diagnosis is quite extensive and includes
- Buschke–Fischer–Brauer disease
- Curth–Macklin ichthyosis
- Gamborg Nielsen syndrome
- Greither disease
- Haber syndrome
- Hereditary punctate palmoplantar keratoderma
- Jadassohn–Lewandowsky syndrome
- Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans
- Keratosis linearis with ichthyosis congenital and sclerosing keratoderma syndrome
- Meleda disease
- Mucosa hyperkeratosis syndrome
- Naegeli–Franceschetti–Jadassohn syndrome
- Naxos disease
- Olmsted syndrome
- Palmoplantar keratoderma and leukokeratosis anogenitalis
- Pandysautonomia
- Papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud
- Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome
- Punctate porokeratotic keratoderma
- Richner–Hanhart syndrome
- Schöpf–Schulz–Passarge syndrome
- Unna Thost disease
- Vohwinkel syndrome
- Wong's dermatomyositis
Hypersensitivity (also called hypersensitivity reaction or intolerance) is a set of undesirable reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. They are usually referred to as an over- reaction of the immune system and these reactions may be damaging, uncomfortable, or occasionally fatal. Hypersensitivity reactions require a pre-sensitized (immune) state of the host. They are classified in four groups after the proposal of P. G. H. Gell and Robin Coombs in 1963.
In the classic presentation of the disease death usually occurs within 3 years, however there are rarely both fast and slower progressions. Faster deterioration in cases of acute fulminant SSPE leads to death within 3 months of diagnosis.
If the diagnosis is made during stage 1 of the SSPE infection then it may be possible to treat the disease with oral isoprinosine (Inosiplex) and intraventricular interferon alfa, but the response to these drugs varies from patient to patient. However, once SSPE progresses to stage 2 then it is universally fatal in all occurrences. The standard rate of decline spans anywhere between 1–3 years after the onset of the infection. The progression of each stage is unique to the sufferer and cannot be predicted although the pattern or symptoms/signs can be.
Although the prognosis is bleak for SSPE past stage 1, there is a 5% spontaneous remission rate—this may be either a full remission that may last many years or an improvement in condition giving a longer progression period or at least a longer period with the less severe symptoms.
FEVR is, as its name suggests,
familial and can be inherited in an
autosomal dominant, autosomal
recessive or X-linked recessive pattern.1-3 It is caused by mutations in
FZD4, LRP5, TSPAN12 and NDP
genes, which impact the wingless/
integrated (Wnt) receptor signaling
pathway. 3 Disruption of this path
way leads to abnormalities of vascu-
lar growth in the peripheral retina. 2,3
It is typically bilateral, but asymmetric, with varying degrees of
progression over the individual’s
lifetime. Age of onset varies, and
visual outcome can be strongly
influenced by this factor. Patients
with onset before age three have a
more guarded long-term prognosis
whereas those with later onset are
more likely to have asymmetric
presentation with deterioration of
vision in one eye only. 2-3 However,
because FEVR is a lifelong disease,
these patients are at risk even as
adults.2 Ocular findings and useful
vision typically remain stable if the
patient does not have deterioration
before age 20.2,4 Due to the variability and unpredictability of the
disease course, patients with FEVR
should be followed throughout
their lifetime.
Clinical presentation can vary
greatly. In mild variations, patients
may experience peripheral vascular
changes, such as peripheral avascular zone, vitreoretinal adhesions,
arteriovenous anastomoses and a
V-shaped area of retinochoroidal
degeneration. 4 Severe forms may
present with neovascularization,
subretinal and intraretinal hemorrhages and exudation. 4 Neovascularization is a poor prognostic
indicator and can lead to retinal
folds, macular ectopia and tractional retinal detachment. 2,4 Widefield FA has been crucial in
helping to understand this disease,
as well as helping to confirm the
diagnosis. An abrupt cessation
of the retinal capillary network
in a scalloped edge posterior to
fibrovascular proliferations can
be made using FA.2,3,5 Patients can
also show delayed transit filling on
FA as well as delayed/patchy choroidal filling, bulbous vascular terminals, capillary dropout, venous/venous shunting and abnormal
branching patterns. 2,3,5 The staging of FEVR is similar
to that of retinopathy of prematurity. The first two stages involve an
avascular retinal periphery with or
without extraretinal vascularization (stage 1 and 2, respectively). 4 Stages three through five delineate
levels of retinal detachment; stage 3
is subtotal without foveal involvement, stage 4 is subtotal with foveal
involvement and stage 5 is a total
detachment, open or closed funnel.4
Because there was neovascularization in the absence of retinal detachment, our patient was
considered to have
stage 2.
Supportive treatment is the only intervention for acute cerebellar ataxia of childhood. Symptoms may last as long as 2 or 3 months.
Biochemical markers include a normal GGT for PFIC-1 and -2, with a markedly elevated GGT for PFIC-3. Serum bile acid levels are grossly elevated. Serum cholesterol levels are typically not elevated, as is seen usually in cholestasis, as the pathology is due to a transporter as opposed to an anatomical problem with biliary cells.
Treatment is based
on the stage of the disease. Stage 1 does not
require treatment and
should be observed. 4
Neovascularization
(stage 2) responds well
to laser ablation or
cryotherapy.2,4 Eyes
with retinal detachments (stages
3 through 5) require surgery, with
earlier stages requiring scleral
buckles and later stages ultimately
needing vitrectomy. 2,4
More recently, the efficacy of
anti-VEGF intravitreal injections
has been studied. In one study,
these injections, as an in adjunct
with laser, helped early stages
achieve stabilization, but further
investigation is needed.6
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by recurrent or persistent high blood sugar, and is diagnosed by demonstrating any one of the following:
- Fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 7.0 mmol/l (126 mg/dl)
- Plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dl) two hours after a 75 g oral glucose load as in a glucose tolerance test
- Symptoms of high blood sugar and casual plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dl)
- Glycated hemoglobin (HbA) ≥ 48 mmol/mol (≥ 6.5 DCCT %).
A positive result, in the absence of unequivocal high blood sugar, should be confirmed by a repeat of any of the above methods on a different day. It is preferable to measure a fasting glucose level because of the ease of measurement and the considerable time commitment of formal glucose tolerance testing, which takes two hours to complete and offers no prognostic advantage over the fasting test. According to the current definition, two fasting glucose measurements above 126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l) is considered diagnostic for diabetes mellitus.
Per the World Health Organization people with fasting glucose levels from 6.1 to 6.9 mmol/l (110 to 125 mg/dl) are considered to have impaired fasting glucose. people with plasma glucose at or above 7.8 mmol/l (140 mg/dl), but not over 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dl), two hours after a 75 g oral glucose load are considered to have impaired glucose tolerance. Of these two prediabetic states, the latter in particular is a major risk factor for progression to full-blown diabetes mellitus, as well as cardiovascular disease. The American Diabetes Association since 2003 uses a slightly different range for impaired fasting glucose of 5.6 to 6.9 mmol/l (100 to 125 mg/dl).
Glycated hemoglobin is better than fasting glucose for determining risks of cardiovascular disease and death from any cause.
The World Health Organization definition of diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) is for a single raised glucose reading with symptoms, otherwise raised values on two occasions, of either:
- fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/l (126 mg/dl)
- with a glucose tolerance test, two hours after the oral dose a plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dl)
A random blood sugar of greater than 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dL) in association with typical symptoms or a glycated hemoglobin (HbA) of ≥ 48 mmol/mol (≥ 6.5 DCCT %) is another method of diagnosing diabetes. In 2009 an International Expert Committee that included representatives of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) recommended that a threshold of ≥ 48 mmol/mol (≥ 6.5 DCCT %) should be used to diagnose diabetes. This recommendation was adopted by the American Diabetes Association in 2010. Positive tests should be repeated unless the person presents with typical symptoms and blood sugars >11.1 mmol/l (>200 mg/dl).
Threshold for diagnosis of diabetes is based on the relationship between results of glucose tolerance tests, fasting glucose or HbA and complications such as retinal problems. A fasting or random blood sugar is preferred over the glucose tolerance test, as they are more convenient for people. HbA has the advantages that fasting is not required and results are more stable but has the disadvantage that the test is more costly than measurement of blood glucose. It is estimated that 20% of people with diabetes in the United States do not realize that they have the disease.
Diabetes mellitus type 2 is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. This is in contrast to diabetes mellitus type 1 in which there is an absolute insulin deficiency due to destruction of islet cells in the pancreas and gestational diabetes mellitus that is a new onset of high blood sugars associated with pregnancy. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can typically be distinguished based on the presenting circumstances. If the diagnosis is in doubt antibody testing may be useful to confirm type 1 diabetes and C-peptide levels may be useful to confirm type 2 diabetes, with C-peptide levels normal or high in type 2 diabetes, but low in type 1 diabetes.