A Countrywide Survey of hrp2/3 Deletions and kelch13 Mutations Co-occurrence in Ethiopia.

Malaria elimination relies on detection of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich proteins 2/3 (HRP2/3) through rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and treatment with artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs). Data from the Horn of Africa suggest increasing hrp2/3 gene deletions and ACT partial resistance kelch13 (k13) mutations. To assess this, 233 samples collected during a national survey from 7 regions of Ethiopia were studied for hrp2/3 deletions with droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) and k13 mutations with DNA sequencing.

The airway microbiome of persons with cystic fibrosis correlates with acquisition and microbiological outcomes of incident infection.

Rationale: Chronic infection with in persons with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) has been linked to an increased risk of pulmonary exacerbations and lung function decline. We sought to establish whether baseline sputum microbiome associates with risk of incident infection and persistence in pwCF.

Methods: pwCF experiencing incident infections attending the Calgary Adult CF Clinic from 2010-2018 were compared with -negative sex, age (+/-2 years), and birth-cohort-matched controls.

Clinical validation of loop-mediated isothermal amplification for the detection of sequence type complex 131.

Unlabelled: The dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) STc131 is related to its persistence in the human gastrointestinal tract as efficient gut colonizers. Infection and prevention measures are the cornerstones for preventing STc131 spread. Oral decolonization therapies that target ST131 are being developed.

Amplicon Deep Sequencing Reveals Multiple Genetic Events Lead to Treatment Failure with Atovaquone-Proguanil in Plasmodium falciparum.

Atovaquone-proguanil (AP) is used as treatment for uncomplicated malaria, and as a chemoprophylactic agent against Plasmodium falciparum. Imported malaria remains one of the top causes of fever in Canadian returning travelers. Twelve sequential whole-blood samples before and after AP treatment failure were obtained from a patient diagnosed with P.

Ultrasensitive Reverse Transcriptase Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (US-LAMP)-Based Detection of Malaria Infection from Dried Blood Spots.

Submicroscopic malaria diagnosis requires highly sensitive tools instead of the conventional microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). While polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is more sensitive than RDTs and microscopy, the required capital cost and technical expertise hinder implementation of PCR in low- and middle-income countries. This chapter describes an ultrasensitive reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (US-LAMP) test for malaria with a high sensitivity and specificity, while also being practical to implement in low-complexity laboratory settings.

SARS-CoV-2 variant detection with ADSSpike.

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge to global pandemic response and preparedness. With the continuous appearance of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, it is imperative to implement tools for genomic surveillance and diagnosis in order to decrease viral transmission and prevalence. The ADSSpike workflow was developed with the goal of identifying signature SNPs from the S gene associated with SARS-CoV-2 variants through amplicon deep sequencing.

A metagenomics workflow for SARS-CoV-2 identification, co-pathogen detection, and overall diversity.

An unbiased metagenomics approach to virus identification can be essential in the initial phase of a pandemic. Better molecular surveillance strategies are needed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and potential co-pathogens triggering respiratory symptoms. Here, a metagenomics workflow was developed to identify the metagenome diversity by SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis (n = 65; n = 60), symptomatology status (n = 71; n = 54) and anatomical swabbing site (n = 96; n = 29) in 125 individuals.

The Role of Ultrasensitive Molecular Methods for Detecting Malaria-The Broader Perspective.

Ultrasensitive molecular diagnostics are lowering the limit of detection for malaria parasites in the blood and providing insights not captured by conventional tools such as microscopy and rapid antigen tests. Low-level malaria infections identified by molecular tools may influence clinical outcomes, transmission events, and elimination efforts. While many ultrasensitive molecular methods require well-equipped laboratories, technologies such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification and recombinase polymerase amplification provide more portable and analytically sensitive solutions.

Asymptomatic malaria in the clinical and public health context.

: Historically, the global community has focused on the control of symptomatic malaria. However, interest in asymptomatic malaria has been growing, particularly in the context of malaria elimination.: We undertook a comprehensive PubMed literature review on asymptomatic malaria as it relates to detection and elimination with emphasis between 2014 and 2019.