Implementation and evaluation of a novel real-time multiplex assay for SARS-CoV-2: in-field learnings from a clinical microbiology laboratory.

The unprecedented scale of testing required to effectively control the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated urgent implementation of rapid testing in clinical microbiology laboratories. To date, there are limited data available on the analytical performance of emerging commercially available assays for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and integration of these assays into laboratory workflows. Here, we performed a prospective validation study of a commercially available assay, the AusDiagnostics Coronavirus Typing (8-well) assay.

Health service impact of testing for respiratory pathogens using cartridge-based multiplex array versus molecular batch testing.

There is increasing demand for access to rapid microbiological testing, with a view to improving clinical outcomes. The possibility of rapid testing has been facilitated by development of cartridge-based random access molecular technologies that are now widely available. Whether the expense of cartridge-based assays is justified in terms of clinical or laboratory cost savings is controversial.

Mannan-MUC1-pulsed dendritic cell immunotherapy: a phase I trial in patients with adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: Tumor antigen-loaded dendritic cells show promise for cancer immunotherapy. This phase I study evaluated immunization with autologous dendritic cells pulsed with mannan-MUC1 fusion protein (MFP) to treat patients with advanced malignancy.

Experimental Design: Eligible patients had adenocarcinoma expressing MUC1, were of performance status 0 to 1, with no autoimmune disease.

Characterization of a CD46 transgenic pig and protection of transgenic kidneys against hyperacute rejection in non-immunosuppressed baboons.

Human membrane cofactor protein (CD46) controls complement activation and when expressed sufficiently as a transgene protects xenografts against complement-mediated rejection, as shown here using non-immunosuppressed baboons and heterotopic CD46 transgenic pig kidney xenografts. This report is of a carefully engineered transgene that enables high-level CD46 expression. A novel CD46 minigene was validated by transfection and production of a transgenic pig line.

A CD46CD[55-46] chimeric receptor, eight short consensus repeats long, acts as an inhibitor of both CD46 (MCP)- and CD150 (SLAM)-mediated cell-cell fusion induced by CD46-using measles virus.

According to their cellular receptor use, measles virus (MV) strains can be separated into two phenotypes, CD46-using and CD46-non-using. A long chimeric receptor, CD46CD[55-46], was generated from the CD46 backbone, encompassing the four short consensus repeat (SCR) domains of CD46 linked via a flexible glycine hinge to SCR1 and SCR2 of CD55, SCR3 and SCR4 of CD46 and the STP, transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail of CD46. This chimeric receptor was proficient for MV binding but deficient in mediating MV-induced cell-to-cell fusion and virus replication, possibly due to the extended distance between the MV haemagglutinin (H) binding site (CD46 SCR1-SCR2) and the cell membrane.