Does the Alpha-defensin Test for Periprosthetic Joint Infection respond to a Wide Spectrum of Organisms?
The alpha-defensin test provides consistent results regardless of the organism type, Gram type, species, or virulence of the organism and should be seriously considered to be a standard diagnostic tool in the evaluation for PJI. Future research should focus on the performance of this test in specific clinical scenarios such as the immediate postoperative period in the setting of severe immunocompromise and in the setting of a native joint.
Serum ChE is an excellent biomarker of cirrhosis with good sensitivity and specificity. It shows good correlation with serum albumin, PT INR and MELD score. Since it distinguishes DC from CC well, low levels in cirrhosis may serve as a useful prognostic marker of advanced liver disease. Long-term follow-up studies are warranted to define its exact role in clinical practice.