Evaluation of FilmArray respiratory panel multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of pathogens in adult outpatients with acute respiratory tract infection.

Although viruses are the major pathogen that causes upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and acute bronchitis, antibiotics have been prescribed. This was a prospective observational study in influenza epidemics that enrolled adult outpatients who visited a hospital with respiratory tract infection symptoms. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of FilmArray respiratory panel (RP).

Performance evaluation of the VerigeneClostridium difficile nucleic acid test, an automated multiplex molecular testing system for detection of C. difficile toxin.

The VerigeneClostridium difficile nucleic acid test (Verigene CDF test) is an automatic and rapid detection system for the genes encoding tcdA, tcdB, binary toxin, and the single nucleotide deletion at base pair 117 in the tcdC based on microarray and PCR amplification. We compared the performance of the Verigene CDF test to that of two enzyme immunoassays, C. DIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE and X/Pect Toxin A/B, using 118 specimens.

The effect of intraperitoneal 22-oxacalcitriol on secondary hyperparathyroidism in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients (IPOX study).

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a major complication in uremic patients undergoing dialysis. Various active metabolites of vitamin D are used as oral treatment; however, in some patients, parathyroid hormone (PTH) is not ideally suppressed. Intravenous injection of an active form of vitamin D inhibits PTH more effectively than does oral administration.