Correction: Improved sensitivity, safety, and rapidity of COVID-19 tests by replacing viral storage solution with lysis buffer.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Don't rash it! The clinical significance of positive Varicella zoster virus PCR in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neurological symptoms.

Background: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is among the leading pathogens causing meningitis and encephalitis. While VZV-PCR-positive CSF is considered a gold-standard for diagnosis, it is not-uncommon to detect VZV-DNA in CSF of patients with other acute or chronic illness. Our goal was to determine the clinical relevance of VZV-PCR-positive CSF when investigating patients with neurological symptoms.

Recurrent congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a sequential pregnancy with severe sequelae, and a possible association with prophylactic valacyclovir treatment: a case report.

Recurrent congenital cytomegalovirus infections in consecutive pregnancies are rarely reported. Due to the risk of fetal infection from preconception maternal infection, a 6-month interval after primary maternal infection is generally advised before a new conception. Recently, high-dose valacyclovir treatment was shown to prevent fetal infection in first trimester primary infections.

Improved sensitivity, safety, and rapidity of COVID-19 tests by replacing viral storage solution with lysis buffer.

Conducting numerous, rapid, and reliable PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 is essential for our ability to monitor and control the current COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we tested the sensitivity and efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 detection in clinical samples collected directly into a mix of lysis buffer and RNA preservative, thus inactivating the virus immediately after sampling. We tested 79 COVID-19 patients and 20 healthy controls.

Multi-center nationwide comparison of seven serology assays reveals a SARS-CoV-2 non-responding seronegative subpopulation.

Background: An Israeli national taskforce performed a multi-center clinical and analytical validation of seven serology assays to determine their utility and limitations for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis.

Methods: Serology assays from Roche, Abbott, Diasorin, BioMerieux, Beckman-Coulter, Siemens, and an in-house RBD ELISA were included. Negative samples from 2391 individuals representative of the Israeli population, and 698 SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive patients, collected between March and May 2020, were analyzed.

Diagnosing congenital cytomegalovirus by saliva on Guthrie paper.

Background: In recent years, interest in universal newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) has intensified. consequently, reliable and simple methods of mass screening for cCMV, are essential. Herein, we present a novel approach of using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in saliva with direct inoculation onto Guthrie paper.

Universal neonatal cytomegalovirus screening using saliva - report of clinical experience.

Objectives: To analyze the results of a neonatal universal screen for congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) using saliva real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR).

Study Design: During one year (15/5/2011-15/5/2012), saliva was collected from 9845 infants (97% of 10,137 newborns). Viral DNA was extracted by Magna-Pure LC (Roche) and was tested for the presence of CMV IE and gB genes.

Newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus using real-time polymerase chain reaction in umbilical cord blood.

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (C-CMV) infection affects 0.4-2% of newborn infants in Israel, most of whom are asymptomatic. Of these, 10-20% will subsequently develop hearing impairment and may have benetitted from early detection by neonatal screeing.

Cytomegalovirus positive ulcerative colitis: A single center experience and literature review.

Aim: To compare the clinical outcome of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-positive ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with and without antiviral therapy.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-controlled study. The database of UC patients in our institution was scanned for documented presence of CMV on colonic biopsies.

Pregestational, periconceptional, and gestational primary maternal cytomegalovirus infection: prenatal diagnosis in 508 pregnancies.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the vertical transmission rate and fetal risk following primary maternal cytomegalovirus infection before and around conception.

Study Design: Data of patients referred to fetal medicine clinic in 1 tertiary center in Israel were evaluated. Each included subject had primary maternal cytomegalovirus infection determined by serology, precise gestational dating, and testing of fetal infection.

Insight into the intrinsic sensitivity of the PCR assay used to detect CMV infection in amniotic fluid specimens.

Background: PCR detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in amniotic fluid (AF) is the most sensitive tool for diagnosis of fetal infection, but has sub-optimal sensitivity. It has been suggested that inhibition by AF reduces the sensitivity of this assay, however this assumption has never been thoroughly studied. Several PCR assays have been shown to improve sensitivity, but comparative studies are insufficient to choose the optimal approach.