MALDI-TOF direct identification of positive blood cultures: A four-year analytical evaluation of A Triton based workflow.

Rapid and reliable identification of the causal organism in bloodstream infections and sepsis is crucial for both individual patient care and public health. We have implemented a rapid in-house identification protocol (with 10 % Triton) using MALDI-TOF MS for identifying the causative organism in positive blood cultures without prior culture. Our objective was to retrospectively analyze data collected over a four-year period while implementing this rapid in-house identification protocol and to develop a guide for evaluating and reporting the obtained results.

Evaluation of the applicability of internal controls on self-collected samples for high-risk human papillomavirus is needed.

Background: Self-collection of cervical samples to detect high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) is a trending topic in primary cervical cancer screening. This study evaluates the applicability of a self-sampling device to routine molecular procedures for hr-HPV detection.

Methods: In a primary health care facility in Kinshasa, Congo, 187 self-collected samples (Evalyn Brush) were gathered and sent to Ghent University Hospital (UZ Ghent) and Algemeen Medisch Labo (AML) in Belgium where routine tests for hr-HPV were applied (Abbott RealTime hr-HPV and qPCR (E6/E7), respectively).

Cycle Threshold Probability Score for Immediate and Sensitive Detection of B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 Lineage.

Background: Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern associated with immune escape is important to safeguard vaccination efficacy. We describe the potential of delayed N gene amplification in the Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Assay (Seegene) for screening of the B.1.

Multicenter evaluation of the FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis assay in a routine setting.

The FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (FA-ME) Panel (Biofire, Salt Lake City, Utah, US) enables fast and automated detection of 14 pathogens in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The performance of the FA-ME panel in a real routine setting has not yet been described and could lead to better patient management in cases of good performance. This multicenter study verified the FA-ME panel analytical performance in a routine hospital setting.

Performance Evaluation of the Siemens SARS-CoV-2 Total Antibody and IgG Antibody Test.

Objective: In this study, the performance of 2 commercially available SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays is evaluated.

Methods: The Siemens SARS-CoV-2 Total (COV2T) and IgG (COV2G) antibody tests were evaluated on a Siemens Atellica IM1300 analyzer. Imprecision was assessed with the CLSI EP15 protocol using positive controls.

Infection prevention and control challenges in Flemish homecare nursing: a pilot study.

Home nursing is evolving towards more invasive care. Nevertheless, no national data are available on the prevalence of HAI in this setting. The aim of this pilot study is to explore the Flemish home care setting as a first step toward a national surveillance program.

The impact of repeated freeze-thaw cycles on antiphospholipid antibody titer.

Background: Pre-analytical factors, like freeze-thaw cycles (FTC), can potentially affect results and clinical interpretation. According to the SSC-ISTH recommendations for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) testing, additional FTC should be avoided to maintain the best performance. Patient samples are often analyzed in batch and having one frozen sample aliquot for all aPL tests, that may hamper daily routine work-out.

Evaluation of the CellaVision DM96 advanced RBC application for screening and follow-up of malaria infection.

CellaVision DM96 is a digital cell morphology system for automated classification of white and red blood cells. CellaVision Advanced RBC application (ARBCA) pre-classifies RBC in 21 categories, including parasitized RBC, and allows re-classification by the operator. In this study, the performance of the software for detection of malaria and calculation of parasitemia was evaluated and compared to microscopy (n=40).