Diagnostics

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Associations Found Between Plasma SARS-CoV-2 Viral RNA and COVID-19 Severity, Mortality

By

Sweta Gupta

Researchers conducted a study to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA detected in the bloodstreams of patients with COVID-19 is reflective of viremia or related to host immune responses and outcomes.

Accuracy of Self-Collected Saliva and Anterior Nasal Swab Samples Used to Test for SARS-CoV-2 Infection

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

Researchers compared the results of self-collected saliva and anterior nasal swab samples vs nasopharyngeal swab samples collected by healthcare workers used to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Accuracy of a Novel 29-Messenger RNA Host-Response Assay for Detecting Bacterial and Viral Infections

By

Sweta Gupta

Researchers conducted a study to determine the accuracy of a novel 29-messenger RNA blood-based host-response assay for identifying bacterial and viral infections in patients admitted to the emergency department.

Time to Positivity as Effective Predictor of Mortality in Patients With Enterococcal Bloodstream Infections

By

Sweta Gupta

Researchers investigated the role of time to positivity as a prognostic and diagnostic tool for patients with bloodstream infections caused by Enterococcus spp.

Rapid PCR Bests Traditional Culture in Correlation of Clinical Variables in Pneumonia

By

Estie Mermelstein, MSN, FNP-BC

Researchers assessed the performance of a pneumonia panel in relation to clinical measures and outcome variables.

Inexpensive SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Avidity Test Shows Immunity Months After Infection in All Ages

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

The researchers’ main goal was to assess whether the marked increase in avidity of antibodies noted 7 to 8 months after an infection was also substantial in older adults.

Risk for Post COVID-19 Clinical Sequelae Examined in Adults

Risk increased for new sequelae attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection, including chronic respiratory failure, myocarditis, anxiety, fatigue.

SARS-CoV-2 Self-Test Results Comparable With Professional Test Results

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

This study’s main objective was to compare the SARS-CoV-2 test results using a self-collected swab sample with the results of a professionally collected swab sample.

Predictors of Persistent HIV Viremia Among Patients in Hyper-Endemic Regions in South-Central Uganda

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

The study authors gathered data on individual HIV viral load trajectories at the population-level following the introduction of universal test and treat in sub-Saharan Africa.

Rapid Antigen Test Can ID Contagious People in SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak

Researchers conducted testing during a nursing home outbreak where paired respiratory specimens were collected to assess performance of the BinaxNOW antigen test compared to virus culture and RT-PCR.

Home-Based SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Testing Could Aid Pandemic Control

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

Investigators adapted a simple compartmental epidemic model to simulate SARS-CoV-2 spread, death, and associated costs in the US in an effort to understand the role of at home testing.

Routine Cancer Screenings Declined Significantly at Start of Pandemic

Researchers examined mammography and colonoscopy rates among commercially insured US adults before and after the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency to assess changes in screening.

FDA OKs Marketing of First AI Device Used to Detect Lesions During Colonoscopy

Using artificial intelligence algorithm techniques, the system identifies regions of interest during colonoscopy, which can help clinicians determine whether further assessment is needed.

Chest CT Indicates Mortality Risk in COPD

Researchers examined correlations between SAT, IMAT, and pectoralis PM areas from chest CT with mortality in individuals with COPD.

NAAT Nasopharyngeal Swabs Still Gold Standard for Diagnosing SARS-CoV-2

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

Researchers systematically reviewed literature to understand the performance and sensitivity of alternative sample types compared with that of nasopharyngeal swabs for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.

FDA Clears Point-of-Care Test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea

By

Diana Ernst, RPh

The io instrument processes a single-use cartridge that contains all reagents for testing collected vaginal swabs and male urine samples.

Community Exposures Tied to SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity in Health Care Workers

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study among HCP at 4 large health care systems in 3 US states to assess the risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity.

Expansion of SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Required for Epidemic Prevention

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

Study authors assessed the economic trade-offs of expanding and accelerating testing for SARS-CoV-2 across the United States in different transmission scenarios.

COVID-19 Testing: Saliva NAAT Comparable to Nasopharyngeal Swabs

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

Study authors assessed the diagnostic accuracy of saliva NAAT for COVID-19 due to the increased resources, such as trained personnel, required for nasopharyngeal swab NAAT.

New Test for Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Meningitis in Patients With HIV

By

Brandon May

A new point-of-care lateral flow assay featured the same sensitivity as mycobacterial culture in detecting tuberculosis meningitis in adults with HIV.