Genetic diversity of dengue virus circulating in the Philippines (2014-2019) and comparison with dengue vaccine strains.

Dengue virus has four distinct serotypes and the genetic diversity within each of the four serotypes contribute to its complexity. An important aspect of dengue molecular evolutionary studies has been the dissection of the extent and structure of genetic variation among major genotypes within each serotype. It is important to understand the role of dengue genetic variability and its potential role and impact in the effectiveness of the dengue vaccine.

Outbreak of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Health Service Education and Training Center, September 25-October 10, 2023.

In the last week of September 2023, a surge of influenza-like illness was observed among students of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Health Service Education and Training Center, where 48 (27 males and 21 females; age in years: mean 33, range 27-41) of 247 military students at the Center presented with respiratory symptoms. Between September 25 and October 10, 2023, all 48 symptomatic students were evaluated with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and sequencing for both influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Thirteen (27%) students were found positive for influenza A/H3 only, 6 (13%) for SARS-CoV-2 only, and 4 (8%) were co-infected with influenza A/H3 and SARS-CoV-2.

Exploring histopathological and serum biomarkers in lung adenocarcinoma: Clinical applications and translational opportunities (Review).

Lung cancer represents one of the most common neoplasms and the main cause of cancer‑associated death worldwide. Its relationship with different risk factors such as tobacco, which is its main etiological factor, has been clearly established and despite the numerous advances achieved in the diagnosis, treatment and follow‑up of these patients, the life expectancy of these patients is notably limited. Furthermore, its treatment is not exempt from comorbidities and frequently it neither provides optimal control of the disease nor improve the quality of life of these patients.

Clinical characterization of COVID-19 breakthrough infections, Philippines.

We clinically characterized PCR detected breakthrough infections among partially/fully vaccinated cases with majority given an inactivated vaccine, CoronaVac. From 1 March to 15 July 2021, we detected 182 SARS-CoV-2 infections among vaccinated cases with 129 classified as breakthrough infections. Majority were male, 30-39 y.

Coding-Complete Genome Sequences of 11 SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 Variants from Metro Manila, Philippines.

Here, we report the complete genome sequences of 11 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants from the Philippines. Lineage analysis showed 3 B.1.

Osimertinib in advanced EGFR-T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients treated within the Special Use Medication Program in Spain: OSIREX-Spanish Lung Cancer Group.

Background: AURA study reported 61% objective response rate and progression-free survival of 9.6 months with osimertinib in patients with EGFR/T790M+ non-small cell lung cancer. Due to lack of real-world data, we proposed this study to describe the experience with osimertinib in Spain.

Performance of a Rapid Diagnostic Test for Influenza in a Tertiary Military Hospital, Philippines.

Introduction: It is important to evaluate the performance of existing rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) and the factors that can affect performance especially when the circulation dynamics of influenza strains change such as the displacement and replacement of the circulating seasonal influenza strains.

Materials And Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from patients presenting at V Luna Medical Center, Armed Forces of the Philippines Health Service Command, with influenza-like illness (ILI) with one swab tested using Quickvue (QV) influenza A+B RIDT (Quidel) and the other swab tested using the ABI 7500 (Applied Biosystems) real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were estimated.

A multi-country field validation of the FluChip-8G Insight Assay.

Introduction: It is critical to rapidly detect novel and non-seasonal influenza strains. Currently available assays have limited sensitivity in detecting novel influenza subtypes. We performed a multi-country field validation of the FluChip-8G Insight, an assay able to detect and characterize influenza A/B viruses and non-seasonal influenza viruses.

SARS-CoV-2 Among Military and Civilian Patients, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) belonging to the family Coronaviridae and genus Betacoronavirus is the causative agent of COVID-19 disease and was first identified in Wuhan, China. SARS-CoV-2 spread globally with >28 million cases and 911,000 deaths recorded worldwide as of September 12, 2020. The Philippines reported the first case of community transmission on March 5, 2020, and despite the government imposing one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in Southeast Asia, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases still surged with >250,000 cases and 4,000 deaths reported as of September 12, 2020.

Coding-Complete Genome Sequences of 23 SARS-CoV-2 Samples from the Philippines.

Here, we report the coding-complete genome sequences of 23 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) samples from the Philippines. Sequences were obtained from nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive patients. Mutation analysis showed the presence of the D614G mutation in the spike protein in 22 of 23 genomes.

Clinical-pathological and molecular characterization of long-term survivors with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Long-term survivors (LS) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without driver alterations, displaying an overall survival (OS) of more than 3 years, comprise around 10% of cases in several series treated with chemotherapy. There are classical prognosis factors for these cases [stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), etc.], but more data are required in the literature.

First report of the mcr-1 colistin resistance gene identified in two Escherichia coli isolates from clinical samples, Philippines, 2018.

Objectives: The first report of a plasmid-borne colistin resistance gene (mcr-1) detected in an Escherichia coli isolate from China heralded the emergence of pandrug-resistant bacteria. Since then, the mcr-1 gene has been detected worldwide, but to date it has not been reported in the Philippines.

Methods: In this study, 123 antimicrobial-resistant isolates collected from January-June 2018 from patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines, were characterised.

Impact of a Barcode Medication Administration System on Patient Safety .

Objectives: To determine the impact of barcode medication administration (BCMA) on the incidence of medication administration errors among patients in an onco-hematology day hospital and to identify the characteristics of medication errors in that setting.
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Sample & Setting: 715 patients treated in the onco-hematology day unit at the Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital in Madrid, Spain.

Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae and Nonfermentative Bacteria, the Philippines, 2013-2016.

During 2013-2016, we isolated bla- and bla-harboring Enterobacteriaceae and nonfermentative bacteria from patients in the Philippines. Of 130 carbapenem-resistant isolates tested, 45 were Carba NP-positive; 43 harbored bla, and 2 harbored bla. Multidrug-resistant microbial pathogen surveillance and antimicrobial drug stewardship are needed to prevent further spread of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase variants.