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Mycobacteriology and Aerobic ActinomycetesDiagnostic Accuracy of Interferon Gamma-Induced Protein 10 mRNA Release Assay for TuberculosisInterferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) are increasingly used to test for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection. Although highly specific, IGRAs have a relatively high false-negative rate in active TB patients. A more sensitive assay is needed. IFN-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10) is an alternative biomarker with a 100-fold-higher expression level than IFN-γ, allowing for different analysis platforms, including molecular detection. The...
Special Issue VirologyComparison of Commercially Available and Laboratory-Developed Assays for In Vitro Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Clinical LaboratoriesMultiple laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) and commercially available assays have emerged to meet diagnostic needs related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. To date, there is limited comparison data for these different testing platforms. We compared the analytical performance of a LDT developed in our clinical laboratory based on CDC primer sets and four commercially available, FDA emergency...
ParasitologyIs Real-Time PCR Targeting Rep 529 Suitable for Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Patients Infected with Non-Type II Strains in North America?Toxoplasma gondii DNA detection is essential to antenatally diagnose a congenital infection and reactivation of a past infection in an immunocompromised patient. Initially, PCR methods targeted the 35-fold repetitive B1 gene, and more recently, coding sequence Rep 529 has been preferred, as it was reported to be repeated 200- to 300-fold and yielded far better...
BacteriologyMolecular Diagnosis of Vaginitis: Comparing Quantitative PCR and Microbiome Profiling Approaches to Current Microscopy Scoring...Vaginitis is often diagnosed by microscopy and limited to testing for bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis. Approximately 10% of vaginal swabs are negative but designated “altered flora” by BV Nugent score, leaving clinicians unsure how to treat patients. Accurate and comprehensive vaginitis diagnostics are needed to direct treatment and reduce risks of recurrent or more severe infections.
