Molecular Surveillance and Prediction of Antimicrobial Resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Northern Alberta, Canada, 2015 to 2018.

Background: The aims of this study was to describe molecular surveillance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the North Zone of Alberta (NZ) and to determine its value in predicting antimicrobial resistance.

Methods: Sequence types (STs) and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays were performed on nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) samples. Sequence types of NAATs were matched to ST of cultures from across Alberta.

Molecular Characterization and Antimicrobial Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Nunavut Region of Inuit Nunangat, Canada, 2018-2019.

We assessed antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Nunavut, Canada, using remnant gonorrhea nucleic acid amplification test-positive urine specimens. This study confirms the feasibility of conducting N. gonorrhoeae AMR surveillance and highlights the diversity of gonococcal sequence types and geographic variation of AMR patterns in the territory.

Impact of reverse sequence syphilis screening on new diagnoses of late latent syphilis in Edmonton, Canada.

After the introduction of reverse sequence syphilis screening in Alberta, Canada, there was an increase in the diagnosis of late latent syphilis in individuals screening positive with the treponemal test; these cases required additional public health follow-up.

Demographic, clinical and microbiological characteristics of maternity patients: a Canadian clinical cohort study.

Objective: To determine the demographic, clinical and microbiological characteristics of a representative Canadian obstetrical population.

Design: A one-year cohort study of all maternity patients who were followed to delivery, using detailed patient questionnaires containing more than 60 demographic and clinical variables, and three microbiological evaluations during gestation - first trimester, 26 to 30 weeks, and labour and delivery. Outcome measurements included birth weight and gestational age.

Bartonella seropositivity in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura.

Background: An association between Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) and seropositivity for Bartonella henselae (BH) has been described. The objective of this study was to see if such an association exists in northern Alberta.

Methods: Immunofluorescent antibody testing utilizing an antigen prepared from B.

Field evaluation of the Merlin immediate HIV-1 and -2 test for point-of-care detection of human immunodeficiency virus antibodies.

The Merlin Immediate HIV-1 and -2 Test (Merlin point-of-care [POC] test; Merlin Biomedical & Pharmaceutical) is a nitrocellulose membrane flow immunoassay performed at the POC with the use of blood obtained from a fingerprick. The results of this test were compared with those of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) performed on venous blood samples in the laboratory. Positive results of both tests were confirmed by a Western blot (WB).