scholarly journals Individuals With SARS-CoV-2 Infection During the First and Second Waves in Catalonia, Spain: Retrospective Observational Study Using Daily Updated Data (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Alves-Cabratosa ◽  
Marc Comas-Cufí ◽  
Jordi Blanch ◽  
Ruth Martí-Lluch ◽  
Anna Ponjoan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Condition ◽  
Positive Test ◽  
Respiratory Care ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Wave Versus ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Transmissible Infection

BACKGROUND A description of individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection comparing the first and second waves could help adapt health services to manage this highly transmissible infection. OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe the epidemiology of individuals with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the characteristics of patients with a positive test comparing the first and second waves in Catalonia, Spain. METHODS This study had 2 stages. First, we analyzed daily updated data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals from Girona (Catalonia). Second, we compared 2 retrospective cohorts of patients with a positive reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2. The severity of patients with a positive test was defined by their admission to hospital, admission to intermediate respiratory care, admission to the intensive care unit, or death. The first wave was from March 1, 2020, to June 24, 2020, and the second wave was from June 25, 2020, to December 8, 2020. RESULTS The numbers of tests and cases were lower in the first wave than in the second wave (26,096 tests and 3140 cases in the first wave versus 140,332 tests and 11,800 cases in the second wave), but the percentage of positive results was higher in the first wave than in the second wave (12.0% versus 8.4%). Among individuals with a positive diagnostic test, 818 needed hospitalization in the first wave and 680 in the second; however, the percentage of hospitalized individuals was higher in the first wave than in the second wave (26.1% versus 5.8%). The group that was not admitted to hospital included older people and those with a higher percentage of comorbidities in the first wave, whereas the characteristics of the groups admitted to hospital were more alike. CONCLUSIONS Screening systems for SARS-CoV-2 infection were scarce during the first wave, but were more adequate during the second wave, reflecting the usefulness of surveillance systems to detect a high number of asymptomatic infected individuals and their contacts, to help control this pandemic. The characteristics of individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first and second waves differed substantially; individuals in the first wave were older and had a worse health condition.

Identification of Bacteroides forsythus in Subgingival Dental Plaque with the Aid of a Rapid PCR Method

1997 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 1376-1380 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.H. Meurman ◽  
J. Wahlfors ◽  
A. Korhonen ◽  
P. Alakuijala ◽  
P. Väisänen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dental Plaque ◽  
Subgingival Plaque ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Rapid Pcr ◽  
Microbiological Methods ◽  
Pcr Method ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Culture Positive ◽  
Positive Results

Bacteroides forsythus has been shown to be prevalent among patients with periodontitis. Conventional microbiological methods used to identify this bacterium, however, are laborious and time-consuming and are therefore not well-suited for screening purposes. We have developed a polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) method which is rapid, specific, and simple to perform and does not require other sample pre-treatment except a brief centrifugation. This method was applied to the detection of B. forsythus in subgingival plaque of 58 periodontitis patients. When compared with the results of conventional culturing, the PCR method always confirmed the culture-positive results, while none of the PCR negative samples was shown to be culture-positive. The PCR method appeared to give more than double the number of samples positive for B. forsythus than culturing (89.7% vs. 37.9%). The analysis requires less than 4 hrs to perform, and is specific only to B. forsythus and sensitive enough to detect fewer than 5 bacteria.

Studies on Diagnosis of Bovine Brucellosis by Immunocyto-chemistry and Immunohistochemistry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.S. Lakshmikanth ◽  
N.S. Sharma ◽  
D. Pathak ◽  
Paviter Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Analysis ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Bovine Brucellosis ◽  
Reproductive Disorders ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Positive Results

Background: Brucellosis is a major threat to livestock economy and an important zoonotic disease. A rapid and accurate diagnosis is a necessity to curb the spread and progress of the disease. The current study aimed to evaluate sensitivity of Immunocytochemistry and Immunohistochemistry methods for detection of Brucella spp.Methods: A total of 50 samples comprising of fetal stomach content, vaginal discharges and placenta were collected from cattle and buffaloes suffering from abortions and other reproductive disorders in and around Ludhiana, Punjab during the period 2017-2018. All the samples were processed for isolation and confirmed with biochemical analysis and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The isolates obtained and 43 clinical samples excluding placental samples were subjected to Immunocytochemistry (ICC). Immunohistochemistry (ICH) was performed on placental samples.Result: A total of four isolates were recovered from the screened samples. The four isolates also yielded positive results in Immunocytochemistry. Among the 43 clinical samples screened by Immunocytochemistry, five were positive, however only 3 isolates were recovered on isolation. A total of seven placental tissue samples were processed and subjected to immunohistochemistry. Of the three placental samples positive by immunohistochemistry, only one sample was isolated on culture. The results suggest that both immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry are sensitive diagnostic techniques in comparison to isolation.

scholarly journals PCR - based diagnosis to evaluate the performance of malaria reference centers

2004 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 183-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Maria Di Santi ◽  
Karin Kirchgatter ◽  
Karen Cristina Sant'Anna Brunialti ◽  
Alessandra Mota Oliveira ◽  
Sergio Roberto Santos Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Blood Smear ◽  
Plasmodium Species ◽  
Thick Blood Smear ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Ssrrna Gene

Although the Giemsa-stained thick blood smear (GTS) remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of malaria, molecular methods are more sensitive and specific to detect parasites and can be used at reference centers to evaluate the performance of microscopy. The description of the Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale ssrRNA gene sequences allowed the development of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that had been used to differentiate the four species. The objective of this study was to determine Plasmodium species through PCR in 190 positive smears from patients in order to verify the quality of diagnosis at SUCEN's Malaria Laboratory. Considering only the 131 positive results in both techniques, GTS detected 4.6% of mixed and 3.1% of P. malariae infections whereas PCR identified 19.1% and 13.8%, respectively.

scholarly journals An Investigation into the Estimation of a Positive Case of COVID-19: A Comparative Study between Two Phases of the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-95
Author(s):  
Yasuyuki Yamaoka ◽  
Hiroko Oe
Keyword(s):  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Insurance Coverage ◽  
Multiple Regression Model ◽  
Unexpected Result ◽  
Actual Number ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Over Time

In Japan, the policy for polymerase chain reaction (hereafter PCR) testing changed significantly after 7 May 2020; from 4 February to 6 May, PCR testing was limited to certain patients with severe symptoms. After 7 May, the PCR test was made available to a broader range of patients due to health insurance coverage. The study aims to test whether there is a significant relationship between the conditions under which PCR tests are performed, the number of tests after 7 May, and the positive results. Using a multiple regression model, we obtained the unexpected result even if we assume that PCR testing had been carried out during 4 February to 6 May at the same level as after 7 May. The number of positive cases would have been even lower than the actual number, which we have attained. This suggests that even if PCR testing had been plentiful throughout the entire period, the number of positives that would have been captured would not necessarily have been more significant than the actual number. This estimation might suggest that the infectivity of COVID-19 varied over time. It may suggest that, over time, the infectiousness and spreading power of COVID may be transformed. Therefore, further research investigating the epidemic impact of COVID is required, which is critical for humankind.

scholarly journals Severity assessment of single-dose Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccinated individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Southeast Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
pp. 220-226
Author(s):  
Eaftekhar Ahmed Rana ◽  
Pronesh Dutta ◽  
Md. Sirazul Islam ◽  
Tanvir Ahmad Nizami ◽  
Tridip Das ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Infection Period ◽  
Respiratory Problems ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Taste And Smell

Background and Aim: A vaccine program for coronavirus illness (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) is currently underway in numerous regions of the world, including Bangladesh, but no health data on those who have been vaccinated are available at this time. The study aimed to investigate the health condition of people who had received their first dose of the Oxford- AstraZeneca vaccine and were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Materials and Methods: To detect SARS-CoV-2, a standard virological approach, real-time reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), was used. Several health indicators from vaccinated patients were collected using pre-structured questionnaires during the infection phase. Results: A total of 6146 suspicious samples were analyzed, and 1752 were found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2, with 200 people receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. One hundred and sixty-five (82.5%) were not hospitalized among the vaccinated people, and 177 (88.5%) did not have any respiratory problems. Only 8% of patients required further oxygen support, and 199 (99.5%) did not require intensive care unit intervention. Overall, oxygen saturation was recorded at around 96.8% and respiratory difficulties did not extend more than 5 days during the infection period. Among the vaccinated COVID-19-positive people, 113 (56.5%) and 111 (55.5%) had typical physiological taste and smell. Surprisingly, 129 (64.5%) people had diverse comorbidities, with high blood pressure (27.9%) and diabetes (32 [24.8%]) being the most common. The major conclusion of the current study was that 199 (99.5%) of vaccinated patients survived in good health and tested negative for RT-qPCR. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, administering the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine considerably reduces health risks during the COVID-19 infection period.

scholarly journals Etiology of Diarrhea Requiring Hospitalization in Bangladesh by Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction, 2014–2018

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mami Taniuchi ◽  
Kamrul Islam ◽  
Md Abu Sayeed ◽  
James A Platts-Mills ◽  
Md Taufiqul Islam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Vibrio Cholerae ◽  
Coefficient Of Variation ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Background Diarrhea remains a major public health problem and characterization of its etiology is needed to prioritize interventions. However, most data are from single-site studies of children. We tested samples from participants of any age from 11 geographically diverse hospitals in Bangladesh to describe pathogen-specific burdens of diarrhea. Methods We utilized 2 existing diarrhea surveillance systems: a Nationwide network at 10 sentinel hospitals and at the icddr,b hospital. We tested stools from enrolled participants and nondiarrheal controls for enteropathogens using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and calculated pathogen-specific attributable fractions (AFs) of diarrhea. Results We analyzed 5516 patients with diarrhea and 735 controls. Overall, rotavirus had the highest attributable burden of diarrhea (Nationwide AF, 17.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 14.3–20.9%; icddr,b AF, 39.9%; 38.0–41.8%), followed by adenovirus 40/41 (Nationwide AF, 17.9%; 95% CI: 13.9–21.9%; icddr,b AF, 16.6%; 95% CI, 14.4–19.4%) and Vibrio cholerae (Nationwide AF, 10.2%; 95% CI, 9.1–11.3%; icddr,b AF, 13.3%; 95% CI: 11.9–15.1%). Rotavirus was the leading pathogen in children <5 years and was consistent across the sites (coefficient of variation = 56.3%). Adenovirus 40/41 was the second leading pathogen in both children and adults. Vibrio cholerae was the leading pathogen in individuals >5 years old, but was more geographically variable (coefficient of variation = 71.5%). Other attributable pathogens included astrovirus, norovirus, Shigella, Salmonella, ETEC, sapovirus, and typical EPEC. Conclusions Rotavirus, adenovirus 40/41, and V. cholerae were the leading etiologies of infectious diarrhea requiring hospitalization in Bangladesh. Other pathogens were important in certain age groups or sites.

scholarly journals Performance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Antibody Assays in Different Stages of Infection: Comparison of Commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays and Rapid Tests

2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Traugott ◽  
Stephan Walter Aberle ◽  
Judith Helene Aberle ◽  
Hannah Griebler ◽  
Mario Karolyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Commercial Enzyme ◽  
Antibody Assays ◽  
Rapid Tests ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Immunosorbent Assays ◽  
Positive Results

Abstract We comparatively assessed sensitivities and specificities of 4 commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and 2 rapid tests in 77 patients with polymerase chain reaction–confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, grouped by interval since symptom onset. Although test sensitivities were low (<40%) within the first 5 days after disease onset, immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgA, and total antibody ELISAs increased in sensitivity to >80% between days 6 and 10 after symptom onset. The evaluated tests (including IgG and rapid tests) provided positive results in all patients at or after the 11th day after onset of disease. The specificities of the ELISAs were 83% (IgA), 98% (IgG), and 97% (IgM and total antibody).

scholarly journals Comparison of Four Polymerase Chain Reaction Methods for the Rapid Detection of Human Fecal Pollution in Marine and Inland Waters

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave S. Bachoon ◽  
Cortney M. Miller ◽  
Christen P. Green ◽  
Ernesto Otero
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Fecal Pollution ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Bifidobacterium Adolescentis ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Pcr Method ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Human Specific

We compared the effectiveness of three PCR protocols for the detection ofBifidobacterium adolescentisand one PCR protocol for detectingBacteroidalesas indicators of human fecal pollution in environmental samples. Quantitative PCR indicated that a higher concentration ofB. adolescentisDNA was recovered from sewage samples on the 0.2 μm filters compared to the 0.45 μm filters, and there was no evidence of qPCR inhibitors in the DNA extracts. With the Matsuki method (1999),B. adolescentiswas detected only in undiluted sewage samples. The King method (2007) performed well and detectedB. adolescentisin all of the sewage dilutions (from undiluted to10−4). In contrast, the Bonjoch approach (2004) was effective at detectingB. adolescentisat lower dilutions (10−3) of sewage samples and it gave false positive results with some (3/8) pig fecal samples. Human-specificBacteroidales(HuBacs) were detected in the lower diluents of sewage samples but was positive in pig (6/8) and cattle fecal samples. PCR detection ofB. adolescentisin marine samples from Puerto Rico and freshwater samples from Georgia indicated that the PCR method of King et al. (2007) and the modified Layton method for HuBac were in agreement in detecting human fecal pollution in most sites.

The prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis detected by wet mount and polymerase chain reaction in Sydney women

Sexual Health ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivy Kwon ◽  
Anna McNulty ◽  
Phillip Read
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Wet Mount ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Objectives Although Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) has a low profile in urban Australia, local data has estimated the prevalence in women to be 10 times higher when using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) versus wet mount microscopy (4.8% v. 0.4%). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of TV in Sydney women using both wet mount and PCR. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted of women requiring sexually transmissible infection screening at the Sydney Sexual Health Centre. Vaginal swabs were examined for TV using PCR and wet mount microscopy. Results: In total, 781 of 1263 eligible women were tested; 3 out of 781 tested positive by PCR and 1 out of 781 by wet mount, giving a prevalence of 0.38% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14–1.12%) and 0.13% (95% CI: 0.03–0.71%) respectively. There was not enough power to compare PCR and wet mount. Conclusions: The results of this analysis indicate that in our female urban population, TV is a very rare sexually transmissible infection,with 0.38% prevalence, and routine screening by PCR is not indicated.

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