Multicenter Evaluation of the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV Test.

With the approach of respiratory virus season in the Northern Hemisphere, clinical microbiology and public health laboratories will need rapid diagnostic assays to distinguish severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections for diagnosis and surveillance. In this study, the clinical performance of the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV test (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) for nasopharyngeal swab specimens was evaluated in four centers: Johns Hopkins Medical Microbiology Laboratory, Northwell Health Laboratories, NYC Public Health Laboratory, and Los Angeles County/University of Southern California (LAC+USC) Medical Center. A total of 319 nasopharyngeal swab specimens, positive for SARS-CoV-2 ( = 75), influenza A virus ( = 65), influenza B virus ( = 50), or RSV ( = 38) or negative ( = 91) by the standard-of-care nucleic acid amplification tests at each site, were tested using the Cepheid panel test.

The influence of obesity on operating room time and perioperative complications in cochlear implantation.

Objective: The rising incidence of obesity in the United States is associated with increased healthcare expenditures and resource allocation. Obesity has been associated with prolonged operating times during surgical procedures. The primary objective of this study is to compare body mass index (BMI) to length of surgery during cochlear implantation.

Hearing Loss in Pediatric Patients With Cerebral Palsy.

Objective: This study evaluates the prevalence, type, and severity of hearing impairment in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to analyze audiologic and otologic outcomes in these patients.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of the AudGen Database.

Setting: Tertiary academic referral center.

Characteristics and Progression of Hearing Loss in Children with Down Syndrome.

Objectives: To evaluate hearing impairment in children with Down syndrome, and to describe the factors that influence the severity of hearing loss or changes in hearing over time.

Study Design: Using the Audiological and Genetic Database (AudGenDB), audiograms of children with Down syndrome were analyzed retrospectively for type, severity, and laterality of hearing loss, as well as changes over time. Medical charts and imaging results were reviewed to identify factors influencing hearing loss.

Hearing loss in children with growth hormone deficiency.

Objective: Although insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) has been shown to be important for inner-ear development in animal models, little is known about the otologic and audiologic findings of children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). The goal of this study is to evaluate the prevalence, type, and severity of hearing impairment in children with GHD.

Methods: Audiologic, otologic, and demographic data were recorded for children with a diagnosis of GHD in the AudGen database.