Articles related to TESTING/LABS

Allergy testing in asthma is most useful when results could change management, with clinical history guiding targeted sensitization testing and total IgE serving a limited role outside anti-IgE biologic assessment.

A review of prematurity-associated lung disease (PLD) argues that respiratory follow-up should extend beyond early childhood and focus on current symptoms and lung-function trajectories rather than relying exclusively on a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

A prospective multicenter study of 970 adults with suspected mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) found that a rapid point-of-care blood test measuring GFAP and UCH-L1 achieved 96.5% sensitivity and 96.5% negative predictive value for detecting CT-positive intracranial injury, supporting its potential role in reducing unnecessary head CT imaging.

A retrospective study of 606 pediatric patients found serum specific IgE testing for allergic rhinitis was frequently negative in children younger than 3 years and became more informative with age. Findings may aid diagnostic decision-making, though prospective validation is needed.

Analysis of 900 fungal isolates from pediatric invasive fungal infections found low overall resistance rates to azoles and echinocandins across most species. Isavuconazole demonstrated activity comparable to established triazoles against many clinically important molds and yeasts.

A man in his early 30s presenting with post-viral chest pain and bilateral forearm numbness posed a diagnostic challenge when automated ECG interpretation missed findings later consistent with acute pericarditis, including diffuse concave-upward ST elevation, PR depression, and a positive Spodick sign.