Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria from cutaneous sarcoidosis lesions by reverse blot hybridization assay.

While the etiology of sarcoidosis remains uncertain, mycobacteria have been suggested as a causative infectious agent. To investigate the causal relationship between mycobacteria and sarcoidosis, we performed a reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA) to identify mycobacteria from the skin samples of nine patients with sarcoidosis. Six of the nine samples were shown to be positive for mycobacteria by REBA, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

Clinical Characteristics and Genetic Variations in Early-Onset Atopic Dermatitis Patients.

Background: Hereditary factors contribute to atopic dermatitis (AD) development. We developed the reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA) kit to simultaneously detect variations in skin barrier- and immune response-related genes prevalent in Korean AD patients.

Objective: To identify genetic variations and clinical characteristics that could predict early AD development.

HPV , , and mRNA RT-qPCR Assay for Detecting High-Grade Cervical Lesion with Microscope Slides.

After breast and colon cancer, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer of women worldwide. Since human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is known to be the predominant cause of cervical cancer, molecular HPV screening is currently used along with cytological and histological examination methods for precancer diagnosis. Nevertheless, the sensitivity of the current HPV test is less than 80%; thus, many cervical cancer cases are not able to be diagnosed by HPV screening alone, and likewise, patients with cervical cancer are often determined to be HPV-negative by the current screening methods.

Analytical performance evaluation of the HPV OncoCheck assay for detection of high-risk HPV infection in liquid-based cervical samples.

Recent studies have demonstrated low specificity (false positive) of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing for the screening and diagnosis of cervical samples. Therefore, we evaluated the performance of the HPV OncoCheck assay, which is an HPV E6/E7 mRNA-based assay, for the detection of 16 high-risk (HR)-HPVs including HPV 16 and HPV 18 genotypes in cervical samples using multiplex reverse transcriptase-quantitative PCR. In the present study, the analytical performance of the assay was evaluated using 16 HPV single strand DNAs.

Clinical characteristics and genetic variation in atopic dermatitis patients with and without allergic contact dermatitis.

In patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), the risk of contact sensitization may be higher as the disrupted skin barrier may increase the penetration of contact allergens. Therefore, it is necessary to screen for concurrent allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in AD patients. To identify the clinical characteristics and genetic variation in AD patients with concurrent ACD.

Diagnostic performance of the E6/E7 mRNA-based Optimygene HR-HPV RT-qDx assay for cervical cancer screening.

Objectives: Pap smear and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA testing are the most widely applied methods for cervical cancer screening, but both methods are limited by their low specificity and lack of association with patient prognoses. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and prognostic significance of HPV E6/E7 mRNA as an early biomarker with cytology and HPV DNA detection in cervical cancer screening.

Methods: This study evaluated the performance of the Optimygene HR-HPV RT-qDx assay, which is an HPV E6/E7 mRNA-based assay, to detect 16 HR-HPV subtypes: HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, and 69.

Direct Detection of Rifampin-Resistant in Respiratory Specimens Using Quantamatrix Multiplexed Assay Platform (QMAP) System: A Multicenter Study in Korea.

Rapid and accurate detection of rifampin-resistant (MTB) is of primary importance for infection control and selection of anti-tuberculosis drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a newly developed multiplexed, bead-based bioassay (Quantamatrix Multiplexed Assay Platform, QMAP) for the direct detection of rifampin-resistant MTB in respiratory specimens. A total of 400 respiratory specimens collected from patients with clinically suspected tuberculosis or non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections were tested with the culture-based conventional species identification and QMAP system.

Detection of Rifampicin- and Isoniazid-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Using the Quantamatrix Multiplexed Assay Platform System.

Background: The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) infection represents a global public health emergency. We evaluated the usefulness of a newly developed multiplexed, bead-based bioassay (Quantamatrix Multiplexed Assay Platform [QMAP], QuantaMatrix, Seoul, Korea) to rapidly identify the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and detect rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) resistance-associated mutations.

Methods: A total of 200 clinical isolates from respiratory samples were used.

Differences in Genetic Variations Between Treatable and Recalcitrant Atopic Dermatitis in Korean.

Purpose: Variations in barrier- or immune response-related genes are closely related to the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). This study was designed to identify genetic variations and clinical features to predict 'recalcitrant AD.'

Methods: AD patients were classified as treatable and recalcitrant.

Simultaneous detection of barrier- and immune-related gene variations in patients with atopic dermatitis by reverse blot hybridization assay.

Background: Hereditary factors are involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, AD-related gene variations are significantly different across ethnicities.

Aim: To identify mutations and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in barrier- or immune-related genes from Korean patients with AD and compare the variations with those observed in nonatopic healthy controls (HCs), and to use novel reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA) for AD-related gene variants.

MiR-9, miR-21, and miR-155 as potential biomarkers for HPV positive and negative cervical cancer.

Background: Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death among female patients with cancer in the world. High risk human papillomavirus has causal roles in cervical cancer initiation and progression by deregulating several cellular processes. However, HPV infection is not sufficient for cervical carcinoma development.

Evaluation of the Quantamatrix Multiplexed Assay Platform system for simultaneous detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the rifampicin resistance gene using cultured mycobacteria.

Background: The differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) from non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is of primary importance for infection control and the selection of anti-tuberculosis drugs. Up to date data on rifampicin (RIF)-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is essential for the early management of multidrug-resistant TB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a newly developed multiplexed, bead-based bioassay (Quantamatrix Multiplexed Assay Platform, QMAP) for the rapid differentiation of 23 Mycobacterium species including MTBC and RIF-resistant strains.

Performance of the Quantamatrix Multiplexed Assay Platform system for the differentiation and identification of Mycobacterium species.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a new diagnostic multiplexed bead-based bioassay (Quantamatrix Multiplexed Assay Platform; QMAP) system with shape-encoded silica microparticles for the rapid and accurate detection and identification of 23 mycobacterial species/groups, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC).

Methodology: A total of 295 mycobacterial clinical isolates cultured from respiratory specimens were used for identification of MTBC and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) using the QMAP system and the results were confirmed with PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the rpoB gene, rpoB sequence analysis and PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA).Results/Key findings.

Comparison of FFPE histological versus LBP cytological samples for HPV detection and typing in cervical cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is closely associated with cervical cancer. This study analyzed HPV genotype prevalence in 75 cases of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from patients diagnosed with cervical cancer. Genotype prevalence was assessed using Reverse Blot Assay (REBA) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), which target the HPV L1 and HPV E6/E7 genes, respectively.

Development of a Rapid Reverse Blot Hybridization Assay for Detection of Clinically Relevant Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Blood Cultures Testing Positive for Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Rapid and accurate identification of the causative pathogens of bloodstream infections is crucial for the prompt initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy to decrease the related morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a newly developed PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA) for the rapid detection of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and their extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC β-lactamase, and carbapenemase resistance genes directly from the blood culture bottles. The REBA-EAC (ESBL, AmpC β-lactamase, carbapenemase) assay was performed on 327 isolates that were confirmed to have an ESBL producer phenotype, 200 positive blood culture (PBCs) specimens, and 200 negative blood culture specimens.

Quantamatrix Multiplexed Assay Platform system for direct detection of bacteria and antibiotic resistance determinants in positive blood culture bottles.

Objectives: Rapid and accurate identification of the causative pathogens of bloodstream infections (BSIs) is crucial for initiating appropriate antimicrobial therapy, which decreases the related morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a newly developed multiplexed, bead-based bioassay system, the Quantamatrix Multiplexed Assay Platform (QMAP) system, obtained directly from blood culture bottles, to simultaneously detect the presence of bacteria and identify the genes for antibiotic resistance.

Methods: The QMAP system was used to evaluate 619 blood culture bottles from patients with BSIs and to compare the results of conventional culture methods.

Clinical Usefulness of a One-Tube Nested Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Evaluating Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 mRNA Overexpression in Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded Breast Cancer Tissue Samples.

Background: Currently, the two main methods used to analyze human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification or overexpression have a limited accuracy and high costs. These limitations can be overcome by the development of complementary quantitative methods.

Methods: In this study, we analyzed HER2 mRNA expression in clinical formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples using a one-tube nested reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay.

Skin Barrier Function Is Not Impaired and Kallikrein 7 Gene Polymorphism Is Frequently Observed in Korean X-linked Ichthyosis Patients Diagnosed by Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization and Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization.

X-linked ichthyosis (XLI) is a recessively inherited ichthyosis. Skin barrier function of XLI patients reported in Western countries presented minimally abnormal or normal. Here, we evaluated the skin barrier properties and a skin barrier-related gene mutation in 16 Korean XLI patients who were diagnosed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and array comparative genomic hybridization analysis.

Comparison of multiplex real-time PCR and PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay for the direct and rapid detection of bacteria and antibiotic resistance determinants in positive culture bottles.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a commercially available multiplex real-time PCR assay and a PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay (PCR-REBA) for the rapid detection of bacteria and identification of antibiotic resistance genes directly from blood culture bottles and to compare the results of these molecular assays with conventional culture methods. The molecular diagnostic methods were used to evaluate 593 blood culture bottles from patients with bloodstream infections. The detection positivity of multiplex real-time PCR assay for Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and Candida spp.

Evaluation of the Punch-it™ NA-Sample kit for detecting microbial DNA in blood culture bottles using PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay.

DNA extraction efficiency affects the success of PCR-based method applications. The Punch-it™ NA-Sample kit for extracting DNA by using paper chromatography is technically easy to use and requires just two reagents and only 10min to complete. The Punch-it™ NA-Sample kit could be offered as a rapid, accurate, and convenient method for extracting bacterial and fungal DNA from blood culture bottles.

PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay for fast and accurate identification of causative species in superficial fungal infections.

Background: Superficial fungal infections are a very common problem in dermatological clinics. The diagnostic method of fungal culture is time-consuming and has inconsistent sensitivity. Therefore, a practical method for rapid and accurate identification of the species causing superficial fungal infections is needed.

Diagnostic Performance of HPV E6/E7 mRNA and HPV DNA Assays for the Detection and Screening of Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus Infection among Woman with Cervical Lesions in China.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide and it is responsible for most cases of cervical uterine cancer. Although HPV infections of the cervix do not always progress to cancer, 90% of cervical cancer cases have been found to be associated with high risk HPV (HR- HPV) infection. HPV DNA testing is widely used, along with Papanicolaou (Pap) testing, to screen for cervical abnormalities.

Performance of the Real Fungus-ID kit based on multiplex RT-PCR assay for the rapid detection and identification of Trichophyton spp. and Microsporum spp. in clinical specimens with suspected dermatophyte infection.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a commercially available multiplex RT-PCR assay for the rapid detection and identification of dermatophytes directly from clinical samples and cultures.

Methods And Results: The multiplex RT-PCR assay was used to evaluate 118 clinical isolates from various specimen types and a total of 140 known specimens were compared with both conventional methods, commercially available PCR-REBA, and ITS sequence analysis. In this study, multiplex RT-PCR assay yield significantly more positive results than culture (91·9 vs 39·5%) and conventional methods including KOH microscopy (91·9 vs 71·3%).

Performance of PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay for detection of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium leprae.

Drug resistance in Mycobacterium leprae is a significant problem in countries where leprosy is endemic. A sensitive, specific, and high-throughput reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA) for the detection of genotypic resistance to rifampicin (RIF) was designed and evaluated. It has been shown that resistance to RIF in M.