Increased rates of blood culture contamination during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

We observed a higher rate of blood-culture contamination during the COVID-19 pandemic at our institution compared to a prepandemic period. Given the potential implications of blood contamination in antibiotic and diagnostic test utilization as well as added cost, it is imperative to continue efforts to minimize these episodes during the pandemic.

Clinical Validation of a SARS-CoV-2 Real-Time Reverse Transcription PCR Assay Targeting the Nucleocapsid Gene.

Background: Detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA is important for the diagnosis and management of COVID-19.

Methods: We present a clinical validation of a reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay for the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N1) gene. Off-board lysis on an automated nucleic acid extraction system was optimized with endemic coronaviruses (OC43 and NL63).

Abbott ARCHITECT Syphilis TP Chemiluminescent Immunoassay Accurately Diagnoses Past or Current Syphilis in Pregnancy.

Objective: We evaluate diagnostic accuracy of the ARCHITECT chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA) screening test in pregnancy, and evaluate pregnancy outcomes among screen-positive women.

Study Design: Samples from routine prenatal rapid plasma reagin (RPR) tests were collected between June 22 and August 18, 2017 and frozen. Samples were batch-tested with the Abbott ARCHITECT syphilis TP immunoassay (CIA, index test).

Susceptibility of Cardiac Troponin Assays to Biotin Interference.

Objectives: To investigate biotin interference on three cardiac troponin (cTn) assays and demonstrate a method to overcome biotin interference.

Methods: cTn levels were measured in (1) plasma from healthy volunteers on 10-mg daily biotin supplementation mixed with a plasma with known elevated troponin, (2) plasmas with known elevated cTn after mixing in reagent biotin to simulate supplementation, and (3) biotin-spiked plasma specimens pretreated with streptavidin-agarose beads.

Results: Daily biotin ingestion (10 mg) and studies simulating daily biotin use resulted in significant interference in the Gen5 cardiac troponin T (cTnT) assay; the contemporary Gen 4 cTnT and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) assays were unaffected.

Impact of Hormone Therapy on Laboratory Values in Transgender Patients.

Background: For transgender individuals taking hormone therapy (HT), data on laboratory values are limited, and the effects on laboratory values cannot be easily predicted. We evaluated the impact on common laboratory analytes in transgender individuals before and after initiation of HT.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of transgender patients identified at transgender-specific clinics at an urban county hospital and community clinic.

UV-triggered affinity capture identifies interactions between the Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (PfMDR1) and antimalarial agents in live parasitized cells.

A representative of a new class of potent antimalarials with an unknown mode of action was recently described. To identify the molecular target of this class of antimalarials, we employed a photo-reactive affinity capture method to find parasite proteins specifically interacting with the capture compound in living parasitized cells. The capture reagent retained the antimalarial properties of the parent molecule (ACT-213615) and accumulated within parasites.