scholarly journals 473. Using Serosurveillance for SARS-CoV-2 to Conserve PCR Tests in a Resource Constrained Combat Environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S303-S303
Author(s):  
Brian K White ◽  
Mohit Sachdeva ◽  
Jacob Bova ◽  
Shawnn Nichols ◽  
Rory P Stuart ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In March 2020, COVID-19 threatened combat operations in Afghanistan. At that time, the NATO Resolute Support mission involved nearly 17,000 troops from 38 partner nations, plus civilians who support the mission, scattered throughout Afghanistan. While Afghanistan did not initially report many confirmed cases, large numbers of cases were reported from neighboring countries with known migration across the borders (sometimes thousands/day). Military medical leaders advised commanders regarding the potential health risks to the force, balancing with risks to the mission. Quarantine and isolation protocols were established. Public health interventions of social distancing, cloth mask wear, enhanced environmental cleaning, active case finding, and emphasis on hand hygiene and cough etiquette were enforced. However, many base locations were unable to alleviate close living quarters. Testing was identified as a means to assess risk to the population. Testing capabilities were limited, particularly PCR. When this testing strategy was established, the utilization and interpretation of antibody tests was quite controversial. With rapid antibody kits, the time to detection of both IgM and IgG are similar; detection of either cannot identify the time since exposure. Methods A novel surveillance plan was established whereby subpopulations at highest risk for exposure to the virus were screened with antibody tests from 17 Apr-1 Jun, 2020. High risk populations included: those leaving quarantine, base defense guards, isolation unit guards, medical personnel, dining facility workers, and those who interact with local populations. Individuals with detectable antibody (either IgM or IgG) were further evaluated with PCR tests. Results In the first six weeks of this testing strategy, 1957 antibody tests were utilized. A total of 37 specimens were identified antibody positives with seroprevalence of 2% (Figure 1). Thirteen were identified to have positive IgG, 22 with IgM, and 2 with both. PCR was performed on those with detectable antibody, 13 (35%) had positive PCR. Conclusion Serosurveillance of populations at high risk for exposure to the virus is a logical way to conserve testing resources in a constrained combat environment. Disclosures Alex M. Case, n/a, United States Air Force (Employee)

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keri Pinna ◽  
Maria Pacella ◽  
Norah Feeny ◽  
Brittain Lamoureux

Author(s):  
D. Teoh ◽  
E.K. Hill ◽  
W. Goldsberry ◽  
L. Levine ◽  
A. Novetsky ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Stacey Willcox-Pidgeon ◽  
Richard Franklin ◽  
Peter Leggat ◽  
Sue Devine ◽  
Justin Scarr

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 436
Author(s):  
Monika Maria Biernat ◽  
Anna Kolasińska ◽  
Jacek Kwiatkowski ◽  
Donata Urbaniak-Kujda ◽  
Paweł Biernat ◽  
...  

The use of convalescent plasma in the treatment of COVID-19 may lead to a milder course of infection and has been associated with improved outcomes. Determining optimal treatments in high risk populations is crucial, as is the case in those with hematological malignancies. We analyzed a cohort of 23 patients with hematological malignancies and COVID-19 who had received plasma 48–72 h after the diagnosis of infection and compared it with a historical group of 22 patients who received other therapy. Overall survival in those who received convalescent plasma was significantly higher than in the historical group (p = 0.03460). The plasma–treated group also showed a significantly milder course of infection (p = 0.03807), characterized by less severe symptoms and faster recovery (p = 0.00001). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that convalescent plasma is an effective treatment and its early administration leads to clinical improvement, increased viral clearance and longer overall survival in patients with hematological malignancies and COVID-19. To our knowledge, this is the first report to analyze the efficacy of convalescent plasma in a cohort of patients with hematological malignancies.


Open Heart ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001761
Author(s):  
Mirvat Alasnag ◽  
Tara L Jones ◽  
Yasmin Hanfi ◽  
Nicola Ryan

Balancing ischaemic and bleeding risks in high-risk populations undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions has become an everyday dilemma for clinicians. It is particularly difficult to make decisions concerning combinations and duration of antiplatelet regimens in women given the poor representation of women in trials that have shaped current practice. Several contemporary landmark trials have recently been presented at the American College of Cardiology. The trials included the Harmonising Optimal Strategy for Treatment of coronary artery diseases-EXtended Antiplatelet Monotherapy, Ticagrelor With Aspirin or Alone in High-Risk Patients After Coronary Intervention and the TicAgrelor versus CLOpidogrel in Stabilised Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction. In this article, we summarise the main findings of these trials and include the The Polymer-free Drug-Coated Coronary Stents in Patients at High Bleeding Risk (LEADERS FREE) in search for evidence based best practices for women patients. Although some of these trials had prespecified a subanalysis of sex differences, women constituted only 17%–30% of participants making sex-specific analyses challenging. Data suggest that women benefit from de-escalation to both ticagrelor and clopidogrel monotherapy. However, given the increased bleeding risks observed in women further randomised controlled trials are necessary to determine the most appropriate combination and duration of dual antiplatelet therapy as well as maintenance single antiplatelet therapy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Coric ◽  
D. E. Bullard ◽  
V. V. Patel ◽  
J. T. Ryaby ◽  
B. L. Atkinson ◽  
...  

Objectives Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation was evaluated after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures in a randomized, controlled clinical study performed for United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. PEMF significantly increased fusion rates at six months, but 12-month fusion outcomes for subjects at elevated risk for pseudoarthrosis were not thoroughly reported. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of PEMF treatment on subjects at increased risk for pseudoarthrosis after ACDF procedures. Methods Two evaluations were performed that compared fusion rates between PEMF stimulation and a historical control (160 subjects) from the FDA investigational device exemption (IDE) study: a post hoc (PH) analysis of high-risk subjects from the FDA study (PH PEMF); and a multicentre, open-label (OL) study consisting of 274 subjects treated with PEMF (OL PEMF). Fisher’s exact test and multivariate logistic regression was used to compare fusion rates between PEMF-treated subjects and historical controls. Results In separate comparisons of PH PEMF and OL PEMF groups to the historical control group, PEMF treatment significantly (p < 0.05, Fisher’s exact test) increased the fusion rate at six and 12 months for certain high-risk subjects who had at least one clinical risk factor of being elderly, a nicotine user, osteoporotic, or diabetic; and for those with at least one clinical risk factor and who received at least a two- or three-level arthrodesis. Conclusion Adjunctive PEMF treatment can be recommended for patients who are at high risk for pseudoarthrosis. Cite this article: D. Coric, D. E. Bullard, V. V. Patel, J. T. Ryaby, B. L. Atkinson, D. He, R. D. Guyer. Pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation may improve fusion rates in cervical arthrodesis in high-risk populations. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:124–130. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.72.BJR-2017-0221.R1.


Spinal Cord ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenz Leitner ◽  
Shawna McCallin ◽  
Thomas M. Kessler

AbstractBacterial infections are the leading cause of death in people with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that solely infect and kill bacteria. The idea of using phages to treat bacterial infections, i.e., phage therapy, is very promising and potentially allows a more specific and personalized treatment of bacterial infections than antibiotics. While multi-drug resistant infections affect individuals from the general population, alternative therapeutic options are especially warranted in high-risk populations, such as individuals with SCI. However, more clinical data must be collected before phage therapy can be implemented in clinical practice, with numerous possible, subsequent applications.


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