Evaluation of rapid antigen detection kits for detection of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 virus.

Currently, there is lack of data regarding rapid antigen detection (RAD) kits to detect SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.

Analytical sensitivity and clinical sensitivity of the three rapid antigen detection kits for detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Background: Numerous rapid antigen detection (RAD) kits for diagnosing COVID-19 patients are available in the market recently.

Objective: To compare analytical sensitivity and clinical sensitivity for the three commercially available RAD kits.

Study Design: Analytical sensitivity for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus was determined by limit of detection (LOD) using RT-PCR as a reference method.

Evaluation of rapid antigen test for detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Background: The rapid diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is essential to reduce the disease spread. Rapid antigen detection (RAD) tests are available, however, there is scanty data on the performance of RAD tests.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of the commercially available BIOCREDIT COVID-19 Ag test and compare it with RT-PCR for detecting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus.

Global update on the susceptibility of human influenza viruses to neuraminidase inhibitors, 2013-2014.

Four World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centres for Reference and Research on Influenza and one WHO Collaborating Centre for the Surveillance, Epidemiology and Control of Influenza (WHO CCs) tested 10,641 viruses collected by WHO-recognized National Influenza Centres between May 2013 and May 2014 to determine 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) data for neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir and laninamivir. In addition, neuraminidase (NA) sequence data, available from the WHO CCs and from sequence databases (n=3206), were screened for amino acid substitutions associated with reduced NAI susceptibility. Ninety-five per cent of the viruses tested by the WHO CCs were from three WHO regions: Western Pacific, the Americas and Europe.

The impact of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 on the circulation of respiratory viruses 2009-2011.

Surveillance of respiratory viruses has been conducted for many years at the public health laboratory in Hong Kong. With the occurrence of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, we observed a change in the seasonality of influenza activity with a seemingly corresponding change in the activity of respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and adenovirus during 2009-2011. This phenomenon could most likely be explained by virus interference.

Sero-immunity and serologic response to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus in Hong Kong.

To study the serologic response to the new pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus in Hong Kong, the level of immunity was measured before and after the occurrence of the outbreak, and the titer of antibody to the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus in serum samples of laboratory confirmed cases. The presence of pre-outbreak pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus antibodies in 37% of individuals older than >65 years suggested previous exposures to heterologous virus strains may have elicited cross-reacting antibody. Following large outbreaks of pandemic influenza A 2009 virus that peaked in September 2009, there is a change in immunity level in various age groups consistent with the attack rates among population in Hong Kong.

Performance of laboratory diagnostics for the detection of influenza A(H1N1)v virus as correlated with the time after symptom onset and viral load.

Background: To diagnose influenza A(H1N1)v virus infection, accurate and rapid detection are important. However, there is scanty data on the performance of various laboratory diagnostics.

Objective: To compare the performance of rapid antigen test (RAT), viral culture and RT-PCR for the detection of influenza A(H1N1)v virus and to correlate their performance with the time after symptom onset and viral load.

Antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli outpatient urinary isolates from women: emerging multidrug resistance phenotypes.

This study evaluated the antimicrobial resistance profile of outpatient urinary Escherichia coli isolated from women obtained throughout Hong Kong during 2004-2005. Of 1067 single patient isolates analyzed, 60.1% were resistant to ampicillin, 34% were resistant to co-trimoxazole, and 22.

Pediatric hospitalization for pneumococcal diseases preventable by 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Hong Kong.

In a population-based study, we use ICD-9-CM codes to estimate the hospitalization rates for pneumococcal disease among young children in Hong Kong, 2000-2005 and the preventable burden using several outcome indicators. For children aged View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Epidemiology and genetic diversity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in residential care homes for elderly persons in Hong Kong.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains among residents in residential care homes for the elderly in Hong Kong.

Design: Cross-sectional and descriptive study.

Participants: A total of 949 residents in 13 residential care homes for elderly persons in Hong Kong in January 2005.

Molecular epidemiology and household transmission of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Hong Kong.

This study evaluated the clinical and epidemiologic features of individuals with community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in Hong Kong from January 2004 through December 2005. Twenty-four episodes of skin and soft tissue infections and 1 episode of meningitis due to CA-MRSA were identified. CA-MRSA infections or carriage was found in 6 (13%) of 46 household contacts.

Escherichia coli producing CTX-M beta-lactamases in food animals in Hong Kong.

A study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Escherichia coli from fecal samples of healthy food animals in Hong Kong. Rectal or cloacal swabs were obtained from cattle, pigs, chicken, ducks, geese, and pigeons in slaughterhouses or wholesale markets over a 5- month period in 2002. Antibiotic-containing medium was used for selective isolation of potentially ESBL-producing E.

Reduced levofloxacin susceptibility and tetracycline resistance in a clinical isolate of Haemophilus quentini identified by 16S rRNA sequencing.

This paper reports the first case of Haemophilus quentini bacteremia with reduced susceptibility to levofloxacin and resistance to nalidixic acid identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. There was an S 84 L substitution in gyrA and an S 84 I substitution in par C. The isolate had co-resistance to ampicillin (beta-lactamase positive) and tetracycline mediated by the tet(B) gene.

Occurrence and molecular analysis of extended-spectrum {beta}-lactamase-producing Proteus mirabilis in Hong Kong, 1999-2002.

Objectives: A study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence and characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) among blood isolates of Proteus mirabilis collected over a 4 year period in Hong Kong.

Methods: Production of ESBLs among 99 consecutive and non-duplicate isolates was evaluated by the double-disc synergy test. The ESBLs were characterized by isoelectric focusing and PCR sequencing using specific primers.

Detection and characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases among bloodstream isolates of Enterobacter spp. in Hong Kong, 2000-2002.

Objectives: A total of 139 consecutive and non-duplicate bloodstream isolates of Enterobacter spp. collected from inpatients in Hong Kong during 2000-2002 were studied for production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs).

Methods: All isolates were evaluated by the modified double-disc synergy test (m-DDST), the combined disc method (CDM) and the three-dimensional (3D) test.

Decreased levofloxacin susceptibility in Haemophilus influenzae in children, Hong Kong.

Among 563 strains of Haemophilus influenzae from young children in Hong Kong, 5 (0.9%) had decreased susceptibility to quinolones. The five strains had a Ser-84-Lys or Asp-88-Asn substitution in GyrA.