Differences among diagnostic testing algorithms in the time from HIV diagnosis to care.

Background: The association between the type of diagnostic testing algorithm for HIV infection and the time from diagnosis to care has not been fully evaluated. Here we extend an earlier analysis of this association by controlling for patient and diagnosing facility characteristics.

Study Design: Descriptive analysis of HIV infection diagnoses during 2016 reported to the National HIV Surveillance System through December 2017.

Trends in testing algorithms used to diagnose HIV infection, 2011-2015, United States and 6 dependent areas.

Background: In 2014 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) issued updated laboratory testing recommendations for the diagnosis of HIV infection.

Objectives: To examine trends in the use of HIV diagnostic testing algorithms, and determine whether the use of different algorithms is associated with selected patient characteristics and linkage to HIV medical care.

Study Design: Analysis of HIV infection diagnoses during 2011-2015 reported to the National HIV Surveillance System through December 2016.

Strengthening public health laboratory capacity in Thailand for International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005).

Introduction: Thailand conducted a national laboratory assessment of core capacities related to the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), and thereby established a baseline to measure future progress. The assessment was limited to public laboratories found within the Thai Bureau of Quality and Safety of Food, National Institute of Health and regional medical science centres.

Methods: The World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory assessment tool was adapted to Thailand through a participatory approach.

Immunoassay of infectious agents.

Immunoassays have evolved for a broad range of applications since the pioneering work of Yalow and Berson who developed the first competitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) for human insulin in 1959. Immunoassay detection of specific antigens and host-produced antibodies directed against such antigens consitutes one of the most widely used and successful methods for diagnosing infectious diseases (IDs). The number and variety of new assay systems that are continually being developed reflect the increasing demand for immunoassays possessing greater sensitivity, speed, and ease of use.

Rapid diagnostic assays in the genomic biology era: detection and identification of infectious disease and biological weapon agents.

In this special section of BioTechniques, we examine the role of rapid molecular technologies in the detection and identification of agents of infectious disease (ID) and biological weapons (BWs). Besides the threat posed by the global proliferation of BW technologies, there are numerous emerging and reemerging ID agents with significant public health consequences. Further compounding this already complicated situation are the estimated 600 million international tourists annually, many with the potential to the spread disease globally in a matter of hours.

Rapid and sensitive detection of biological warfare agents using time-resolved fluorescence assays.

We have achieved sensitive, rapid and reproducible detection of three biological threat agents in a variety of biological and environmental matrices using the DELFIA time-resolved fluorometry (TRF) assay system (Perkin-Elmer Life Sciences, Akron, OH). Existing ELISA assays for the detection of Francisella tularensis, Clostridium botulinum A/B neurotoxin (BotNT A/B), and Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB) were converted to TRF assays. They use 100 microl of positive control or unknown per test well and require just over 2 h to run.