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VirologySelf-Collected Anterior Nasal and Saliva Specimens versus Health Care Worker-Collected Nasopharyngeal Swabs for the Molecular Detection of SARS-CoV-2We prospectively compared health care worker-collected nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) to self-collected anterior nasal swabs (ANS) and straight saliva for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 354 patients. The percent positive agreement between NPS and ANS or saliva was 86.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76.7 to 92.9%) and 93.8% (95% CI, 86.0 to 97.9%), respectively. The percent negative agreement was 99.6% (95% CI, 98....
ImmunoassaysDetection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG Targeting Nucleocapsid or Spike Protein by Four High-Throughput Immunoassays Authorized for Emergency UseA total of 1,200 serum samples that were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody using the Abbott Architect immunoassay targeting the nucleocapsid protein were run in 3 SARS-CoV-2 IgG immunoassays targeting spike proteins (DiaSorin Liaison, Ortho Vitros, and Euroimmun). Consensus-positive and consensus-negative interpretations were defined as qualitative agreement in at least 3 of the 4 assays. Agreement of the 4 individual assays with a...
BacteriologyA Phylogeny-Informed Proteomics Approach for Species Identification within the Burkholderia cepacia ComplexAncestral genetic exchange between members of many important bacterial pathogen groups has resulted in phylogenetic relationships better described as networks than as bifurcating trees. In certain cases, these reticulated phylogenies have resulted in phenotypic and molecular overlap that challenges the construction of practical approaches for species identification in the clinical microbiology laboratory....
VirologyAnalysis of Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by Specimen Transport Media, Nucleic Acid Extraction Reagents, Detergents, and FixativesThe COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a multifaceted rapid response by the scientific community, bringing researchers, health officials, and industry together to address the ongoing public health emergency. To meet this challenge, participants need an informed approach for working safely with the etiological agent, the novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Work with infectious SARS-CoV-2 is currently restricted to high-containment...
CommentaryChallenges and Controversies to Testing for COVID-19The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has placed the clinical laboratory and testing for SARS-CoV-2 front and center in the worldwide discussion of how to end the outbreak. Clinical laboratories have responded by developing, validating, and implementing a variety of molecular and serologic assays to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This has played an essential role in identifying cases, informing isolation decisions, and helping to...
VirologySerological Screening of Influenza A Virus Antibodies in Cats and Dogs Indicates Frequent Infection with Different SubtypesInfluenza A viruses (IAVs) infect humans and a variety of other animal species. Infections with some subtypes of IAV were also reported in domestic cats and dogs. In addition to animal health implications, close contact between companion animals and humans also poses a potential risk of zoonotic IAV infections. In this study, serum samples from different cat and dog cohorts were analyzed for IAV antibodies against seven IAV subtypes,...
VirologyLow-Cost Polyester-Tipped Three-Dimensionally Printed Nasopharyngeal Swab for the Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Case identification, isolation, and contact tracing are fundamental strategies used to control the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This has led to widespread testing that interrupted the supply chain for testing materials around the world. A prospective study was conducted to compare inexpensive and easily sourced 3-dimensionally (3D)-printed polylactic acid and polyester nasopharyngeal swabs to commercially manufactured...
VirologyEvidence for Missing Positive Results for Human Papilloma Virus 45 (HPV-45) and HPV-59 with the SPF10-DEIA-LiPA25 (Version 1) Platform Compared to Type-Specific Real-Time Quantitative PCR Assays and Impact on Vaccine Effectiveness EstimatesHuman papillomavirus (HPV) epidemiological and vaccine studies require highly sensitive HPV detection systems. The widely used broad-spectrum SPF10-DEIA-LiPA25 (SPF10 method) has reduced sensitivity toward HPV-45 and -59. Therefore, anogenital samples from the PASSYON study were retrospectively analyzed with type-specific (TS) HPV-45 and -59 real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays. The SPF10...
Mycobacteriology and Aerobic ActinomycetesPopulation Structure of Mycobacterium bovis in Germany: a Long-Term Study Using Whole-Genome Sequencing Combined with Conventional Molecular Typing MethodsMycobacterium bovis is the primary cause of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and infects a wide range of domestic animal and wildlife species and humans. In Germany, bTB still emerges sporadically in cattle herds, free-ranging wildlife, diverse captive animal species, and humans. In order to understand the underlying population structure and estimate the population size...
MycologyPerformance of the Lateral Flow Assay and the Latex Agglutination Serum Cryptococcal Antigen Test in Cryptococcal Disease in Patients with and without HIVCryptococcal epidemiology is shifting toward HIV-negative populations who have diverse presentations. Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) testing is also changing, with development of the lateral flow assay (LFA) having reported increased sensitivity and specificity, but with minimal knowledge in the HIV-negative population. In this study, we evaluate the real-life performance of CrAg testing in patients with cryptococcal disease. We conducted...