Performance evaluation of fully automated cobas® 6800 CMV PCR for the detection and quantification of cytomegalovirus DNA in neonatal urine and saliva, and adult urine, saliva, and vaginal secretion.

Laboratory testing for cytomegalovirus (CMV) in bodily fluids is essential to manage congenital and prenatal CMV infection. The rapid and fully automated cobas® CMV PCR is approved only for the testing of plasma in transplant patients. To evaluate the performance of the cobas® CMV to detect and quantify CMV DNA in neonatal and adult female urine, saliva, and vaginal secretion, the limit of detection (LoD), limit of quantification (LoQ), imprecision, linearity, PCR efficiency, bias, analytical specificity, cross-reactivity, and cross-contamination of the cobas® CMV for urine, saliva, and vaginal secretion was determined.

Detecting human cytomegalovirus in urine, vagina and saliva: Impact of biological fluids and storage durations and temperatures on CMV DNA recovery.

Sample collection, transport and storage conditions vary in the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) shedding literature. Currently, limited data exist on the impact of biological fluids and pre-analytical sample handling on the detection of CMV DNA. To evaluate CMV DNA recovery from urine, vaginal fluid and saliva stored in different conditions, adult urine, vaginal and saliva fluids and swabs, stored with or without selected nucleic acid preservation media at various durations and temperatures, was compared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) quantitation of spiked samples and self-collected urine (n = 45) and vaginal swabs (n = 58) from CMV seropositive pregnant women.

The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are essential dairy starter cultures that are significantly employed for the manufacture of fermented dairy products such as yogurt and cheese. LAB predominantly produce lactic acid as a major end product of fermentation, and they synthesize important metabolites that impart the organoleptic characteristics of fermented food products. LAB are fastidious bacteria that thrive in many environments when adequate nutritional requirements are fulfilled.

Screening for cytomegalovirus shedding in vagina and saliva: Significant differences between biological fluids, swab types and storage durations in DNA recovery.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) shedding in genital and oral secretions during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes. Sample collection methods between studies are not uniform and currently there are limited data on the impact of biological fluids, swab types and storage durations on the detection of CMV DNA.

Objectives: To evaluate the absorption efficiency and CMV DNA recovery of various commercially available swabs in vaginal and saliva fluids.

Changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards cytomegalovirus in pregnancy through film-based antenatal education: a feasibility randomised controlled trial of a digital educational intervention.

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection globally, however information about CMV is not routinely included in antenatal education in the United Kingdom. This feasibility study aimed to gather the essential data needed to design and power a large randomised controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the efficacy of a digital intervention in reducing the risk of CMV acquisition in pregnancy. In order to do this, we carried out a single-centre RCT, which explored the knowledge, attitudes and risk reduction behaviours in women in the intervention and treatment as usual groups, pre- and post-intervention.

Screening for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Within a Psychiatric Hospital and Considerations for Limiting Transmission Within Residential Psychiatric Facilities - Wyoming, 2020.

In the United States, approximately 180,000 patients receive mental health services each day at approximately 4,000 inpatient and residential psychiatric facilities (1). SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), can spread rapidly within congregate residential settings (2-4), including psychiatric facilities. On April 13, 2020, two patients were transferred to Wyoming's state psychiatric hospital from a private psychiatric hospital that had confirmed COVID-19 cases among its residents and staff members (5).

The management of sexually transmitted infections: a scoping survey in primary care.

Background: National guidelines for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in primary care exists but their management is uncertain.

Aim: To assess the management of STIs against national standards in primary care.

Design & Setting: A questionnaire based study in London and Brighton.

Implementation of the cobas Liat influenza point-of-care test into an emergency department during a high-incidence season: a retrospective evaluation following real-world implementation.

The cobas Liat influenza A/B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) assay (Liat) was used in the adult emergency department of a large London hospital from 21 January 2018 to 14 April 2018. Influenza was detected in 308 of 1027 (30%) samples tested; influenza A in 157 (15.3%), influenza B in 149 (14.

Implementation of influenza point-of-care testing and patient cohorting during a high-incidence season: a retrospective analysis of impact on infection prevention and control and clinical outcomes.

Background: During high-incidence influenza seasons, a robust infection prevention and control policy is imperative to reduce nosocomial transmission of influenza.

Aim: To assess the impact of influenza point-of-care testing (POCT) in an emergency department (ED) and patient cohorting on an influenza ward on infection prevention and control and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Influenza POCT was operational in the study ED from 21 January 2018 and patient cohorting was operational on an influenza ward from 25 January 2018.

Characterization of minority HIV-1 drug resistant variants in the United Kingdom following the verification of a deep sequencing-based HIV-1 genotyping and tropism assay.

Background: The widespread global access to antiretroviral drugs has led to considerable reductions in morbidity and mortality but, unfortunately, the risk of virologic failure increases with the emergence, and potential transmission, of drug resistant viruses. Detecting and quantifying HIV-1 drug resistance has therefore become the standard of care when designing new antiretroviral regimens. The sensitivity of Sanger sequencing-based HIV-1 genotypic assays is limited by its inability to identify minority members of the quasispecies, i.

Verification of the Roche cobas 6800 PCR 200 µl and 500 µl protocols for the quantification of HIV-1 RNA, HBV DNA and HCV RNA and evaluation with COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan assays.

Purpose: The analytical performance of the cobas 6800 HIV-1, HBV and HCV assays was verified and evaluated to the COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan assays.

Methodology: The precision, limit of detection (LoD), limit of quantification (LoQ) and linearity were verified using pooled residual clinical samples. The analytical specificity was verified with negative plasma.

Restrictive Arteriopathy in Late-Onset Pompe Disease: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is an adult type of classical Pompe disease and presents without cardiomyopathy. Neuroimaging in LOPD is typically limited to posterior circulation and involves dilative arteriopathy, especially dolichoectasia and intracranial aneurysms. We report an interesting case of an established diagnosis of asymptomatic LOPD in a young man with a restrictive-variant pattern in posterior vasculature.

Diagnosis of treponemal co-infection in HIV-infected West Africans.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of two enzyme immunoassays (EIA), Murex and ICE, and the Determine TP point-of-care test (POCT) in diagnosing treponemal infection (syphilis or yaws) in patients attending a large HIV clinic in Ghana; to determine the prevalence of treponemal co-infections; and to characterise demographic and clinical features of patients with infection.

Methods: Samples were tested with EIAs and rapid plasma reagin (RPR), then POCT and reference assays for Treponema pallidum to determine prevalence of active and past infection. Sensitivity and specificity of each assay were calculated and demographic and clinical characteristics of patients compared.

Shared care approach to managing ophthalmological disease in patients with positive treponemal serology: a case series.

Ocular syphilis presenting initially as various manifestations of intraocular inflammation is a rare but an important manifestation of syphilis. Ocular phenotypes are varied and mimic other infectious and non-infectious ocular diseases. Uncertainties exist in optimal management of ocular manifestations of syphilis due to a lack of evidence from randomized controlled trials.

Molecular epidemiology of a large community-based outbreak of hepatitis B in Bristol, U.K.

Background: A large outbreak of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the U.K. occurred between 2001 and 2005 in Bristol, U.

Comparative performance of culture using swabs transported in Amies medium and the Aptima Combo 2 nucleic acid amplification test in detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from genital and extra-genital sites: a retrospective study.

Background: Nucleic acid amplification tests are being increasingly used for the routine diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), although culture remains essential for monitoring antimicrobial resistance. The authors investigated how symptoms and infection site influenced test sensitivity.

Methods: This was a retrospective study at two centres of patients diagnosed as having GC by Aptima Combo 2 (AC2) confirmed with Aptima GC and/or culture.

Varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox) infection in pregnancy.

Congenital varicella syndrome, maternal varicella-zoster virus pneumonia and neonatal varicella infection are associated with serious fetomaternal morbidity and, not infrequently, mortality. Vaccination against varicella-zoster virus can prevent the disease, and outbreak control limits the exposure of pregnant women to the infectious agent. Maternal varicella-zoster immunoglobulin administration before rash development, with or without antiviral medication, can modify the progression of the disease.

An analysis of three opportunistic infections in an outpatient HIV clinic in Jamaica.

Objectives: To determine the occurrence of opportunistic infection (OI) in HIV-positive patients and to identify any risk factors which may be associated with such.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of all patients attending the HIV out-patient clinic was conducted. Their hospital notes were examined between January 1 and December 31, 2007 inclusive, to identify any occurrence of opportunistic infection.

Investigation of a large community-based outbreak of hepatitis B infection in the United Kingdom.

We describe the largest outbreak of hepatitis B virus infection reported to date in the UK. Between July 2001 and December 2005, 237 cases were identified in Avon, South West England. The likely route of transmission was injecting drug use in 44% (104/237) and heterosexual intercourse in 30% (71/237) of cases.

Evaluation of adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in adults in Jamaica.

Background And Purpose: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has improved morbidity and mortality and quality of life, revitalized communities and transformed the perception of HIV/AIDS from being a "death sentence" to a chronic illness. Strict and sustained adherence to medication is essential long-term viral suppression. In April 2005, an Adherence Support Programme was introduced to Jamaica's HIV Programme, whereby Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who had achieved high levels of adherence were trained to provide support to other PLWHA in order to increase their adherence to HAART regimens.

A comprehensive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jamaica: a review of the past 20 years.

Jamaica has a well-established, comprehensive National Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) programme that has slowed the HIV epidemic and mitigated its impact. Adult HIV prevalence has been stable at approximately 1.5% since 1996.

Differential susceptibility of adenovirus clinical isolates to cidofovir and ribavirin is not related to species alone.

Background: We have previously reported that human adenovirus (HAdV) reference strains clearly show species-dependent resistance to ribavirin, whereas different species of HAdV are equally sensitive to cidofovir. All the serotypes tested were susceptible to cidofovir, whereas only serotypes from species C were sensitive to ribavirin. Here, we aimed to extend these investigations to clinical isolates.