SARS-CoV-2 RNA stability in saliva and dry swabs for storage and transport at ambient temperature for at least 9 days: A cost efficient and practical alternative

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, different methods have been used to evaluate patients suspected with infection of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we evaluate the longevity of saliva and dry swab samples to retain SARS-CoV-2 for storage and transport at different environmental settings. Our results show that at ambient temperature of 20°C, SARS-CoV-2 RNA remains stable for up to 9 days giving a long span of time for transport and storage without compromising clinical results. Additionally, this study demonstrates that saliva and dry swabs specimens can also be stored at -20°C and +4°C for up to 26 days without affecting RT-qPCR results. Our data is relevant for low-and middle-income countries, which have limited access to rapid refrigerated transport and storage of samples representing an economical alternative. Finally, our study demonstrates that dry swabs provide clear advantages over using transport medium.

Download Full-text

The general movement assessment in non-European low- and middle-income countries

Revista de Saúde Pública ◽

10.11606/s1518-8787.2018052000332 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 52 ◽

pp. 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Iris Tomantschger ◽

Dafne Herrero ◽

Christa Einspieler ◽

Cristina Hamamura ◽

Mariana Calil Voos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Fetal Life ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Movement Assessment ◽

General Movements ◽

Cost Efficient ◽

General Movement ◽

Low And Middle Income

Abnormal general movements are among the most reliable markers for cerebral palsy. General movements are part of the spontaneous motor repertoire and are present from early fetal life until the end of the first half year after term. In addition to its high sensitivity (98%) and specificity (91%), the assessment of general movements is non-invasive and time- and cost-efficient. It is therefore ideal for assessing the integrity of the young nervous system, most notably in lowresource settings. Studies on the general movements assessment in low- and middle-income countries such as China, India, Iran, or South Africa are still rare but increasing. In Brazil, too, researchers have demonstrated that the evaluation of general movements adds to the functional assessment of the young nervous system. Applying general movements assessment in vulnerable populations in Brazil is therefore highly recommended.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of cognition enhancing activity of pioglitazone in albino mice

International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology ◽

10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20174797 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (11) ◽

pp. 2733

Author(s):

Shruthi S. L. ◽

Kalabharathi H. L. ◽

Siddamma Amoghimath

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Ambient Temperature ◽

Control Group ◽

Free Atmosphere ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Ad Libitum

Background: Worldwide, 47.5 million people have dementia, with just over half (58%) living in low- and middle-income countries. Every year, there are 7.7 million new cases. The estimated proportion of the general population aged 60 and over with dementia at a given time is between 5 to 8 per 100 people. The total number of people with dementia is projected to be 75.6 million in 2030 and almost triple by 2050 to 135.5 million.Methods: All animals were allowed to acclimatize with laboratory conditions at least two weeks before starting the experiment and they were maintained under the same condition throughout the experiment. They were given food and water ad libitum. The experiments were performed as per the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision on Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) guidelines. The animals were subjected to experimentation between 0900-1600 hours in noise free atmosphere with ambient temperature 23-300ºC.Results: The Pioglitazone treated groups showed statistically significant results in the SDL when compared to the control group (p<0.01 on both days) and the scopolamine group (p<0.01 on both days) on both acquisition day and retention day.Conclusions: There was no significant difference in SDL in standard and Pioglitazone treated groups on both acquisition day and retention day.

Download Full-text

Proactive risk assessment of vincristine use process in a teaching and referral hospital in Kenya and the implications

Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/1078155219869439 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 666-679 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Emmanuel K Kurgat ◽

Irene Weru ◽

David Wata ◽

Brian Godman ◽

Amanj Kurdi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Failure Modes ◽

Single Point ◽

Referral Hospital ◽

Control Measures ◽

Flow Diagram ◽

Effect Analysis ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Potential Failure ◽

And Storage

Introduction The chemotherapy use process is potentially risky for cancer patients. Vincristine, a “High Alert” medicine, has been associated with fatal but preventable medication errors. Consequently, there is a need to improve the use of vincristine especially in lower- and middle-income countries where there are constraints with resources and often a lack of trained personnel to administer cancer medicines. However, where there is a rising prevalence of cancer cases. These concerns can be addressed by performing proactive risk assessments using Healthcare Failure Mode Effect Analysis (HFMEA) and implementing the findings. Methods A multidisciplinary health team driven by pharmacists identified and evaluated potential failure modes based on a vincristine use process flow diagram using a hazard scoring matrix in a leading referral hospital in Kenya. Results The processes evaluated were: prescribing, preparation and dispensing, transportation and storage, administration and monitoring of the use of vincristine. Seventy-seven failure modes were identified over the three-month study period, of which 25 were classified as high risk. Thirteen were adequately covered by existing control measures while 12 including one combined mode required new strategies. Two of the failure modes were single-point weaknesses. Recommendations were subsequently made for improving the administration of vincristine. Conclusions HFMEA is a useful tool to identify improvements to medication safety and reduction of patient harm. The HFMEA process brings together the multidisciplinary team involved in patient care in actively identifying potential failure modes and owning the recommendations made, which are now being actively followed up in this hospital. Pharmacists are a key part of this process.

Download Full-text

External quality assessment for HIV rapid tests: challenges and opportunities in Haiti

BMJ Global Health ◽

10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001074 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (6) ◽

pp. e001074

Author(s):

Frantz Jean Louis ◽

Marie Lina Excellent ◽

Renette Anselme ◽

Josiane Buteau ◽

Magalie Stanislas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Low Income ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Continuous Training ◽

External Quality ◽

Laboratory Personnel ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Cost Efficient

HIV rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are instrumental in scaling-up HIV testing services (HTS) in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). HIV misdiagnosis is a growing concern in the era of expanded and decentralised access to HTS. External quality assurance (EQA) programme including proficiency testing (PT) for HIV RDTs is a priority to guarantee the accuracy and reliability of the patients’ result. Here we are sharing Haiti’s 11 years’ experience in implementing HIV RDTs EQA programme to help address some of the challenges faced by other LMICs. HTS is expanding beyond laboratory walls and HIV RDTs are increasingly performed by non-laboratory personnel and closer to the community. EQA programmes for HIV RDTs in Haiti have faced significant challenges. In expanded HTS settings, non-laboratory personnel (nurses, aid-nurses) involved in HIV RDT are usually undertrained and participate poorly in PT programs. In more than half of the lab enrolled in the PT programme in Haiti, the panels are always tested by the most experienced technician, defying the purpose of the program which is to evaluate the performance of the technician performing the test daily. EQA programme in Haiti and other LMICs are usually not tailored to address community HIV testing challenges. With decreased funding and absence of government financial commitment to HIV RDTs EQA programmes, more innovative and cost-efficient strategies are sought to ensure the quality of HIV diagnosis in LMICs. Qualified human resources, continuous training, supervision and community-tailored PT programmes remain key components for the success of HIV RDT quality management.

Download Full-text