The diagnosis of Hansen's disease was essentially clinical and supported by a demonstration of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in skin biopsy.
Although histopathological illustration of epithelioid cells is highly suggestive, a definitive diagnosis requires demonstration of acid-fast bacilli, isolation of mycobacteria by culture, or molecular detection of mycobacterial DNA in the aspirated material.
An episode of microbiologically proven tuberculosis disease is defined as: (1) isolation of M. tuberculosis by culture from a clinical specimen, or (2) demonstration of M. tuberculosis in a clinical specimen by nucleic acid amplification test, or (3) demonstration of acid-fast bacilli in a clinical specimen when a culture has not been or cannot be obtained or is falsely negative or contaminated.
The diagnostic assays currently available for detection of bovine TB in cattle and wildlife species could be divided mainly into 2 categories; direct assays (i.e. bacterial culture, microscopic demonstration of acid-fast bacilli and polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) and indirect assays (i.e. detection of cellular or humoral immune response) [ 5, 6].
TB is presumptively diagnosed when there is demonstration of acid-fast bacilli in a clinical specimen, or in a histopathological lesion when a culture is not available, in a person with signs or symptoms compatible with tuberculosis; or evidence of resolution of disease where treatment with two or more anti-tuberculosis medications have been prescribed and follow-up has been instigated.
Demonstration of deficient acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) enzyme activity is diagnostic, and molecular testing is available for confirmation or clarification.
Demonstration of several acid-fast bacteria localized within the necrotic RPE cells in an earlier report by Rao et al. supports the possibility of tubercular uveitis as an immune response to these sequestered bacteria within the RPE cells [27].
Based on the clinical, radiological (X-ray and CT of chest) findings, demonstration of positivity of acid-fast bacilli in sputum and with exclusion of other causes of thrombocytopenia, immune thrombocytopenic purpura due to pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed.
Our results represent the first demonstration that activation of acid sphingomyelinase is necessary and sufficient for microparticle release from glial cells and define key molecular effectors of microparticle formation and IL-1β release, thus, opening new strategies for the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases.
However, there have been several interesting demonstrations of nucleic acid circuits that rely upon proteins for an integral portion of their function.
