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Presently, the diagnosis of syphilis is dependent mainly on serological tests. The most widely used screening tests for syphilis are the VDRL and the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and for confirmation, the fluorescent treponemal antibody (FTA) and the treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) tests. The four alternative modes for diagnosis of syphilis can be a) VDRL + FTA, b) VDRL + TPHA, c) RPR + FTA and d) RPR + TPHA. Here the author reports an evaluation of cost utility of these tests in medical practice. It is shown that the cost per accurate diagnosis with VDRL + TPH is the least expensive choice. Therefore, this alternative is the best method for serological diagnosis for syphilis, based on medical laboratory economics principles.

Renal cell carcinoma is a rare but serious malignancy. Since a reduction in the level of retinoic acid receptor beta 2 (RARbeta2) expression in cancer cells due in part to histone hypoacetylation which is controlled by histone deacetylase (HD), the study on the interaction between cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins II (CRABP II), which is proposed to have its potential influence on retinoic acid (RA) response, and HD can be useful. Comparing to CARBP II and HD, the CARBP II-HD poses the same function and biological process as HD. This can confirm that HD has a significant suppressive effect on the expression of CARBP II. Therefore, reduction in the level of RARbeta2 expression in cancer cells can be expected and this can lead to failure in treatment of renal cell carcinoma with RA. The author hereby purpose that additional HD inhibitor should be added into the regiment of RA to increase the effectiveness of treatment.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common disorder affecting individuals of all ages. Similar to general population, DM can also be seen in HIV infected cases. The prevalence of insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and diabetes in the HIV-infected population has increased dramatically following the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HIV disease being an important global problem, increasing prevalence of DM among these patients in the HAART era can be expected. Primary care for HIV-infected with reference to DM and follow up for related complications is therefore important

The incidence of venomous snake bites, especially by green pit viper, has been increasing every year in Thailand. The bite of green pit viper causes bleeding because of thrombin–like property of the venom and it has been reported that the mean platelet volume decreases in those bitten by this snake. The objective of this study was to study the effect of green pit viper venom (Trimeresurus albolabris) on platelet volume (MPV), number of platelets and platelet morphology in vitro. The test was carried out by washing platelet in phosphate buffer pH 7.2 so as to get rid of fibrinogen, then the washed platelets were mixed with green pit viper venom. The mean platelet volume and number of platelets were determined by flow cytometry. The results showed that there was a decrease in the number of platelets (216±101 x 109/l and 78.1±43.4 x 109/l; P< 0.05) and also the MPV (8.9±1.2fl and 4.8±1.3fl, P< 0.05). The platelet size was smaller than normal, ranging from 1.1-1.2 micrometers. In conclusion, the green pit viper venom had a direct effect on platelet morphology, especially by decreasing platelet volume and numbers.

Presently, the screening of syphilis is dependent mainly on serological tests. In the sexually transmitted disease clinic, syphilis serology is a basic screening test. The results VDRL test among of 150 HIV (82 males, 68 females) infected, regardless to immune status (CD4+ count), were studied. It was found that in 2 cases, the VDRL was biologically false reactive (VDRL positive, TPHA negative), who had CD4+ count >200 /L, giving the incidence rate equal to 1.3 % (1.2 % for male and 1.5 % for female).