A multi-country comparative study of two treponemal tests for the serodiagnosis of syphilis amongst men who have sex with men (MSM): Chemo-luminescent assay vs Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay.

Introduction: International guidelines recommend routine screening for syphilis (aetiological agent: Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum) amongst key populations and vulnerable populations using tests detecting treponemal and non-treponemal antibodies. Whilst treponemal tests have high sensitivities and specificities, they differ regarding subjective or objective interpretation, throughput and workload. Chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIAs) are cost- and time-effective automated methods for detecting treponemal antibodies.

Independent clinic-based evaluation of dual POCTs for screening for HIV and syphilis in men who have sex with men in Italy, Malta, Peru, and the United Kingdom.

Introduction: Globally, the incidence of HIV and syphilis can be reduced by the use of validated point of care tests (POCTs). As part of the WHO PRoSPeRo Network, we aimed to evaluate the performance, acceptability, and operational characteristics of two dual HIV/syphilis POCTs (Bioline HIV/Syphilis Duo (Abbott) and DPP® HIV-Syphilis assay (Chembio) for the screening of HIV and syphilis amongst men who have sex with men (MSM).

Method And Analyses: A cross sectional study of 2,577 MSM in Italy, Malta, Peru, and the United Kingdom (UK) presenting to seven clinic sites, were enrolled.

Carboxylated graphene oxide nanosheets as efficient electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors.

In the presence of dry ice, a series of graphitic materials with carboxylated edges (ECGs) were synthesized by ball milling graphite for varied times (24, 36, and 46 h). The influence of carboxylation on the physiochemical characteristics and electrochemical performance as effective electrodes for supercapacitors were assessed and compared with pure graphite. Several characterization techniques were employed to investigate into the morphology, texture, microstructure, and modification of the materials.

Resistance-guided treatment of infection at a UK sexual health centre.

We evaluated the ResistancePlus® MG assay in providing macrolide resistance-guided treatment (RGT) for infection at a UK sexual health centre. -positive samples from men with urethritis and women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) were tested for macrolide resistance-mediating mutations (MRMMs). MRMM-positive infections were given moxifloxacin 400 mg; otherwise 2 g azithromycin (1 g single dose and then 500 mg OD) was given.

Microbial contamination of powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) used by healthcare staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: an in situ microbiological study.

Background: Powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) are an option for healthcare workers requiring respiratory protection during the current COVID-19 pandemic; they are shared between multiple people. PAPR hoods are intended for multiple uses by a single user and may pose an infection risk between wearers.

Methods: Internal components of PAPR hoods and corrugated air supply hoses were swabbed for evidence of bacterial, fungal, common respiratory viruses and severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) contamination.

Clearance of Mycoplasma genitalium Infection With Moxifloxacin in the Presence of Quinolone Resistance-Associated Mutations.

We present 2 cases of Mycoplasma genitalium infection that were successfully treated with moxifloxacin despite the presence of quinolone resistance-associated mutations in these strains.

High rates of treatment failure for among men and women attending a sexual health clinic.

Background: (Mgen) causes non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) and is believed to cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). High rates of macrolide resistance are well documented globally for Mgen. In Brighton, patients with NGU and PID are tested for Mgen and test of cure (TOC) offered post-treatment.

Three-dimensional hierarchical frameworks based on molybdenum disulfide-graphene oxide-supported magnetic nanoparticles for enrichment fluoroquinolone antibiotics in water.

Recently, water pollution caused by antibiotics is rapidly increasing. Thus, developing efficient, fast and sensitive detection methods for environmental antibiotics monitoring are still remaining elusive. Herein, a method for antibiotics analysis including lecofloxacin, pazcofloxacin and gatifloxacin in water by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using molybdenum disulfide-graphene oxide-supported magnetic nanoparticles (FeO/GO/MoS) as the adsorbent of magnetic solid-phase extraction was developed.

Sensitive and selective colorimetric nitrite ion assay using silver nanoparticles easily synthesized and stabilized by AHNDMS and functionalized with PABA.

Nitrite ions (NO ), as one of the important inorganic anions, exhibit considerable effects towards the environment and human health. Moreover, over intake of this anion may cause dangerous diseases. Herein, we successfully fabricated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using 4-amino-5-hydroxynaphthalene-2, 7-disulphonic acid monosodium salt (AHNDMS) and functionalized them with -aminobenzoic acid (PABA), and used the functionalised AgNPs as a sensitive and selective colorimetric sensor for nitrite ions.

A simple yet sensitive colorimetric nitrite ions assay based on diazotization with p‑Aminobenzoic and coupling with phloroglucinol in acidic medium.

Immoderate intake of nitrite (NO) is deleterious human health and may result in causing dangerous diseases. In this study, nitrite detection system was successfully fabricated based on a unique diazo-coupling reaction of p‑Aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and phloroglucinol (1, 3, 5‑trihydroxybenzene). Upon the presence of NO in an acid medium, p‑Aminobenzoic acid could not only form diazonium ion easily but also couple with p‑Aminobenzoic acid, and results forming yellow water-soluble azo dye that shows maximum absorption at 434 nm.

A colorimetric indicator-displacement assay for cysteine sensing based on a molecule-exchange mechanism.

In this study, we developed an ingenious yet effective strategy for cysteine detection. The colorimetric cysteine assay is established through an indicator displacement process, where Cu and pyrocatechol violet (PV) was employed as receptor and indicator, respectively. Proof-of-concept trials demonstrated that the stronger binding affinity of Cu receptor toward cysteine than PV indicator endowed our colorimetric sensor with high selectivity and excellent sensitivity as well as with a lower detection limit (4.

Hepatitis C core antigen testing: a reliable, quick, and potentially cost-effective alternative to hepatitis C polymerase chain reaction in diagnosing acute hepatitis C virus infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is increasingly common among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men. We evaluated the efficacy of HCV core antigen in diagnosing acute HCV in an HIV-infected cohort. Compared with HCV polymerase chain reaction, core antigen proved sensitive (100%) and specific (97.

Hepatitis E infection is an under recognized cause of acute decompensation in patients with chronic liver disease.

Background/aims: We aimed to assess characteristics of patients with a positive hepatitis E virus serology with emphasis on acute on chronic liver disease.

Methods: This was a retrospective audit performed at a large teaching hospital.

Results: Of the 164 patients tested, 15(9.