Culture-Negative Fusobacterium nucleatum Brain Abscess and Pleural Empyema Cases Revealed by 16S rRNA Sequencing.

Background: We reported two Fusobacterium nucleatum cases each of brain abscesses and pleural empyema, using 16S rRNA sequencing technology.

Methods: We reviewed clinical records and microbiological findings in four patients with F. nucleatum infection.

Comparative Evaluation of Two Automated Multiplex RT-PCR Tests for Rapid Detection of Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Viruses.

Background: Rapid and accurate diagnosis of influenza virus (Flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is important for managing both the patient and laboratory. We compared the cobas Influenza A/B & RSV assay (cobas Liat) with the Simplexa Flu A/B & RSV assay (Simplexa) to evaluate which test method is more advantageous considering the resources of the laboratory and results of test performance.

Methods: A total of 236 respiratory specimens from patients referred for respiratory virus testing were retrospectively evaluated; 53 specimens tested positive for each of Flu A, Flu B, and RSV, and 77 specimens tested negative based on the results of the reference method, i.

Epidemiologic Linkage of COVID-19 Outbreaks at Two University-affiliated Hospitals in the Seoul Metropolitan Area in March 2020.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks emerged at two university-affiliated hospitals in Seoul (hospital A) and Uijeongbu City (hospital S) in the metropolitan Seoul area in March 2020. The aim of this study was to investigate epidemiological links between the outbreaks using whole genome sequencing (WGS) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Methods: Fifteen patients were enrolled in the study, including four non-outbreak (A1-A4) and three outbreak cases (A5-A7) in hospital A and eight cases (S1-S8) in hospital S.

Evaluation of Four Commercial Kits for SARS-CoV-2 Real-Time Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Approved by Emergency-Use-Authorization in Korea.

SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse-transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) is the most effective testing system currently available to counter COVID-19 epidemics when potent treatments and vaccines are unavailable. Therefore, four SARS-CoV-2 rRT-PCR kits have been approved by the emergency-use-authorization (EUA) without clinical validation in Korea until March 15, 2020. This study evaluated the analytical and clinical performance of these kits.