Comparison of carbapenem MIC for NDM-producing Enterobacterales by different AST methods.

Introduction: This study compared the performance of MIC test strip (ETEST), automated AST card (Vitek 2) and broth microdilution (BMD) in determining carbapenem susceptibility and MIC values of NDM-producing Enterobacterales.

Methods: NDM-producing Enterobacterales recovered from clinical specimens were included. The presence of was confirmed by PCR.

Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Variants Enzymatic Detection (SAVED) by CRISPR-Cas12a.

The continuous and rapid surge of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with high transmissibility and evading neutralization is alarming, necessitating expeditious detection of the variants concerned. Here, we report the development of rapid RS-CoV-2 ariants nzymatic etection (SAVED) based on CRISPR-Cas12a targeting of previously crucial variants, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Lambda, Mu, Kappa, and currently circulating variant of concern (VOC) Omicron and its subvariants BA.1, BA.

Application of digital PCR to determine the reliability of Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay with envelope (E) gene negative and nucleocapsid (N2) gene positive results.

This study used digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) to determine whether envelope (E) gene-negative and nucleocapsid (N2) gene-positive (E-N+) results obtained with the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay are reliable. Using droplet digital PCR results as a reference, 18 of 22 E-N+ samples with a low viral load (81.8%) were identified as true positives.

Evaluation of the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV Assay for Simultaneous Detection of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and B Viruses, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Nasopharyngeal Specimens.

Patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A (flu A), influenza B (flu B), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have overlapping clinical presentations, but the approaches to treatment and management of infections caused by these viruses are different. Therefore, rapid diagnosis in conjunction with infection prevention measures is important to prevent transmission of the diseases. Recently, a new Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV (Xpert 4-in-1) assay enables the detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2, flu A, flu B, and RSV in upper respiratory tract specimens.

Evaluation on testing of deep throat saliva and lower respiratory tract specimens with Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay.

Background: Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay is only validated on nasopharyngeal specimens for detection of SARS-CoV-2. Other specimen types such as deep throat saliva (DTS), also known as posterior oropharyngeal saliva and lower-respiratorytract specimens (LRT) including sputum, tracheal aspirate and bronchoalveolar lavage are not validated. These non-validated specimen types, however, do have significant diagnostic value.

Deep throat saliva as an alternative diagnostic specimen type for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) are widely accepted as specimens for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019. However, the collection procedures for NPS specimens causes sneezing and coughing in most patients, which generate droplets or aerosol particles that are hazardous to the healthcare workers collecting these specimens. In this study, 95 patient-matched paired deep throat saliva (DTS) and NPS specimens from 62 patients were analyzed.

Emergence of Carbapenem-Resistant ST195 Harboring Isolated from Bacteremia in Hong Kong.

The aim of the study was to analyze the epidemiology of and investigate the genetic characteristics of carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) isolates isolated from blood cultures in a regional hospital in Hong Kong. Twenty blood culture isolates were collected from a regional hospital in Hong Kong from 2014 to 2017. Twenty isolates were grouped into five existing sequence types (STs) and five new STs within the following prevalence: ST195 was predominant with a prevalence of 45% ( = 9), followed by ST373 and ST447 (10%;  = 2 each), and ST176 and ST345 (5%;  = 1 each).

Admission Screening of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus with Rapid Molecular Detection in Intensive Care Unit: A Three-Year Single-Centre Experience in Hong Kong.

Background. The admission screening of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by rapid molecular assay is considered to be an effective method in reducing the transmission of MRSA in intensive care unit (ICU). Method.