Digital PCR to Measure SARS-CoV-2 RNA, Variants, and Outcomes in Youth.

Background: The role of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in predicting contagiousness, disease severity, transmissibility, and clinical decision-making continues to be an area of great interest. However, most studies have been in adults and have evaluated SARS-CoV-2 loads using cycle thresholds (Ct) values, which are not standardized preventing consistent interpretation critical to understanding clinical impact and utility. Here, a quantitative SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription digital PCR (RT-dPCR) assay normalized to WHO International Units was applied to children at risk of severe disease diagnosed with COVID-19 at St.

A prospective bacterial whole-genome-sequencing-based surveillance programme for comprehensive early detection of healthcare-associated infection transmission in paediatric oncology patients.

Background: Bacterial whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and determination of genetic relatedness is an important tool for investigation of epidemiologically suspected outbreaks.

Aim: This prospective cohort study evaluated a comprehensive, prospective bacterial WGS-based surveillance programme for early detection of transmission of most bacterial pathogens among patients at a paediatric oncology hospital.

Methods: Cultured bacterial isolates from clinical diagnostic specimens collected prospectively from both inpatient and outpatient encounters between January 2019 and December 2021 underwent routine WGS and core genome multi-locus sequence typing to determine isolates' relatedness.

Clinical Correlation of Adenoviral Load in the Respiratory Tract Measured by Digital PCR in Immunocompromised Children.

Immunocompromised patients can have life-threatening adenoviral infection. Viral load in blood and stool is commonly used to guide antiviral therapy. We developed and evaluated a digital polymerase chain reaction assay to quantify human adenovirus in the respiratory tract and showed that higher peak load correlates with disseminated infection, mechanical ventilation, and death.

Prediction of Symptomatic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection by Quantitative Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction Normalized to International Units.

Although numerous studies have evaluated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection using cycle threshold (Ct) values as a surrogate of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) load, few studies have used standardized, quantitative methods. We validated a quantitative SARS-CoV-2 digital polymerase chain reaction assay normalized to World Health Organization International Units and correlated viral RNA load with symptoms and disease severity.

Molecular Epidemiology and Genetic Relatedness of Clostridioides difficile Isolates in Pediatric Oncology and Transplant Patients Using Whole Genome Sequencing.

Background: The incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) has been rising among hospitalized children, with poor understanding of genomic variability of C. difficile isolates in this population.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of CDI in inpatient and outpatient pediatric oncology and cell transplant patients (POTPs) in 2016 and 2017.