BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread rapidly in Shanghai in February 2022. Patients with asymptomatic and mild symptoms were admitted to Fangcang shelter hospitals for centralized quarantine.
METHODS: A total of 5,217 non-severe patients hospitalized in the Longyao Fangcang and Shilong Fangcang hospitals were included in the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidity, exposure history, treatment and disease duration were analyzed. Univariate analysis and binomial logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the factors influencing nucleic acid change from positive to negative over 14 days.
RESULTS: Consecutive positive nucleic acid test results (days) were significantly associated with advanced age (OR = 1.343, 95% CI 1.143 to 1.578, p < 0.001), smoking (OR = 0.510, 95% CI 0.327 to 0.796, p = 0.003) and vaccination (OR = 0.728, 95% CI 0.641 to 0.827, p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between asymptomatic and mild symptomatic patients (p = 0.187). In univariate analysis, comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular system, malignant tumors, autoimmune diseases and cerebral apoplexy were associated with consecutive positive nucleic acid test results, but there was no significant difference in binomial logistics regression analysis.
CONCLUSIONS: Aging and comorbid conditions lead to the prolongation of positive nucleic acid test results for several days. Improving vaccination coverage is beneficial for prevention and control of the epidemic. The management and treatment methods of Shanghai Fangcang shelter hospitals had important referential significance, which can provide valuable guidance for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic in the future.

The rapid and precise detection of pathogenic agents is critical for public health and societal stability. The detection of biological warfare agents (BWAs) is especially vital within military and counter-terrorism contexts, essential in defending against biological threats. Traditional methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are limited by their need for specific settings, impacting their adaptability and versatility. This study introduces a cell-free biosensor for BWA detection by converting the 16S rRNA of targeted pathogens into detectable functional protein molecules. The modular nature of this approach allows for the flexible configuration of pathogen detection, enabling the simultaneous identification of multiple pathogenic 16S rRNAs through customized reporter proteins for each targeted sequence. Furthermore, we demonstrate how this method integrates with techniques utilizing retroreflective Janus particles (RJPs) for facile and highly sensitive pathogen detection. The cell-free biosensor, employing RJPs to measure the reflection of non-chromatic white light, can detect 16S rRNA from BWAs at femtomolar levels, corresponding to tens of colony-forming units per milliliter of pathogenic bacteria. These findings represent a significant advancement in pathogen detection, offering a more efficient and accessible alternative to conventional methodologies.

OBJECTIVE: In Canada, plasma sent for fractionation is tested for both parvovirus B19 (B19V) and hepatitis A virus (HAV). This study compared positivity rates of B19 and HAV nucleic acid tests (NATs) in Canadian plasma samples for the pre-COVID-19 restriction era (2015 to end of February 2020 [Q1] 2020) and the post-COVID-19 restriction era.
METHODS: Pooled EDTA plasma specimens were tested within 24 months of blood draw using the Procleix Panther System (Grifols Diagnostic Solutions Inc, San Diego, CA, USA) for B19V and HAV detection. Reactive pools were resolved by individual specimen testing.
RESULTS: Between 1 January 2015, and 31 March 2022, 3,928,619 specimens from Canadian plasma donors were tested for B19V. For the same period, 3,922,954 specimens were tested for HAV. To account for a lag in specimen testing for up to 24 months, the data were divided into: (1) a pre-pandemic period (1 January 2015-31 March 2020; B19V tested n = 2,412,701, B19V NAT-positive n = 240 [0.01%], HAV tested n = 2,407,036, HAV NAT-positive n = 26 [0.001%]); (2) a two-year mixed-impact period (1 April 2020-31 March 2022; B19V tested n = 968,250, B19V NAT-positive n = 14 [0.001%], HAV tested n = 968,250, HAV NAT-positive n = 2 [0.0002%]); and (3) a pandemic-impact period (1 April 2022-31 March, 2023; B19V tested n = 597,668, B19V NAT-positive n = 3 [0.0005%], HAV tested n = 597,668, HAV NAT-positive n = 1 [0.0002%]).
CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of B19V- and HAV-positive donations was significantly reduced from the pre-pandemic period to the pandemic-impact period.

In the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), several types of instruments and reagents for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing have been introduced to meet clinical needs. We evaluated the clinical performances of ID NOW™ COVID-19 2.0 (ID NOW™ 2.0), which is capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2 within 12 min as part of point-of-care testing (POCT). Patients who displayed COVID-19 related symptoms, and who were tested for screening purposes, were recruited to this study. Two nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and tested using the ID NOW™ 2.0 test. Reference testing was performed using the cobas 8800 or 6800 (reagents: cobas SARS-CoV-2 and Flu A/B). A total of 38 samples and 46 samples were tested positive and negative, respectively, by the reference test. The ID NOW™ 2.0 showed a sensitivity of 94.7% (95% CI: 82.3-99.4) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 92.3-100). Samples that were positive by reference testing had cycle threshold (Ct) values ranging from 11.90 to 35.41. Among these reference positive samples, two samples were negative by ID NOW™ 2.0 with Ct values of 35.25 and 35.41. For samples with Ct values < 35, the sensitivity of ID NOW™ 2.0 was 100%. In Japan, the restrictions related to COVID-19 have been relaxed, however the COVID-19 epidemic still continues. ID NOW™ 2.0 is expected to be used as a rapid and reliable alternative to laboratory-based RT-PCR methods.

Children represent only a small proportion of those infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared to adults. Nevertheless, a substantial number of children have chronic HCV infection and are at risk of complications including cirrhosis, portal hypertension, hepatic decompensation with hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatocellular carcinoma in adulthood. The overall prevalence of the HCV in children was estimated to be 0.87% worldwide. The HCV spreads through the blood. Children born to women with chronic hepatitis C should be evaluated and tested for HCV due to the known risk of infection. The course of treatment for hepatitis C depends on the type of HCV. Currently, there are two pan-genotype HCV treatments (Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) for children. We aim to review the updated clinical guidelines on the management of HCV infection in children, including screening, diagnosis, and long-term monitoring, as well as currently published clinical trials and ongoing research on direct acting antiviral hepatitis C treatment in children.

UNASSIGNED: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), immediately became a pandemic. Therefore, nosocomial infection control is necessary to screen for patients with possible COVID-19.
UNASSIGNED: This study aimed to investigate commonly measured clinical variables to predict COVID-19.
UNASSIGNED: This cross-sectional study enrolled 1087 patients in the isolation ward of a university hospital. Conferences were organized to differentiate COVID-19 from non-COVID-19 cases, and multiple nucleic acid tests were mandatory when COVID-19 could not be excluded. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to determine the clinical factors associated with COVID-19 at the time of hospitalization.
UNASSIGNED: Overall, 352 (32.4%) patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. The majority of the non-COVID-19 cases were predominantly caused by bacterial infections. Multivariate analysis indicated that COVID-19 was significantly associated with age, sex, body mass index, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, and malignancy.
UNASSIGNED: Some clinical factors are useful to predict patients with COVID-19 among those with symptoms similar to COVID-19. This study suggests that at least two real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions of SARS-CoV-2 are recommended to exclude COVID-19.

Salmonella spp., as one of the foodborne pathogens, is a severe threat to global public health. Rapid screening of salmonella spp. in contaminated food with low infective doses is the key to preventing food poisoning. In this study, a fast visualization method for detecting Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) was developed based on photonic PCR and AuNPs lateral-flow immunochromatography strip (LFIS). In addition, quantitative detection of target bacteria could be achieved by utilizing the photothermal effect of AuNPs, and the sensitivity could be improved by amplifying the photothermal signal. On the optimized conditions, the developed photonic PCR-LFIS assay was highly sensitive, with a detection limit as low as 19 cfu mL-1 of bacteria in pure culture after laser irradiation, and highly specific, exhibiting no cross-reaction with Salmonella enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Notably, S. typhimurium could be detected in pork, egg white, and milk without pre-treatment, with the recovery rates of the three samples between 81 % and 109 %. In conclusion, the photonic PCR-LFIS assay realizes sensitive, simple, and rapid detection of S. typhimurium.

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UNASSIGNED: Faster turnaround times can lead to rapid patient treatment. Implementing a point-of-care (POC) molecular COVID-19 test requires careful planning. In the POC setting, there are numerous operators and regular monitoring of their activities is key to the successful implementation of a POC molecular test. Test errors can arise from samples, operators, reagents, the testing system, and even from the environment. These sources of error should be considered when implementing a new test.
UNASSIGNED: We outline the importance of establishing well-defined policies for staff to follow at the preanalytic, analytic and postanalytic phases of SARS-CoV-2 testing. As these factors are crucial for the accuracy and reliability of the test results. The key discussion points are from the CLSI EP23-Ed2 document on developing individualized quality control plans and medical literature search engines such as EMBASE, MEDLINE and MedlinePlus.
UNASSIGNED: The risk management principles applied when implementing nucleic acid POC tests can identify specific control processes to help mitigate common sources of error when conducting molecular testing at the POC.

UNASSIGNED: Despite the increasing reports of re-positive SARS-CoV-2 cases after recovery and discharge from hospitals, our knowledge remains very limited regarding the contributing factors of re-positivity and its roles in the transmission and epidemiology of the Omicron variant.
UNASSIGNED: In this retrospective study, re-positivity is defined as the positive nucleic acid result (Ct < 35) following two consecutive negative results during hospitalization. A total of 751 patients from Shanghai Shelter Cabin Hospital were enrolled and divided with a ratio of about 1:2 into the re-positivity group and the non-re-positivity group. Patients required three consecutive negative results daily as the de-isolation criterion. The follow-up time of discharged patients lasted five weeks. Univariate regression analysis was used to compare variables between the re-positivity and non-re-positivity groups, and the single re-positivity and multiple re-positivity groups, with P < 0.05 defined as the statistical significance of differences. Subsequently, variables with P < 0.2 were subjected to multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate the odds ratio (OR) of re-positivity and the influencing factors of re-positivity of the Omicron variant.
UNASSIGNED: The re-positivity group had a higher proportion of males (68.1% vs 58.1%, p = 0.000), a higher education level (31.9% vs 12.7%, p = 0.007), a longer hospitalization duration (13 days vs 8 days, p = 0.000), and a higher Convidecia vaccination rate (6.0% vs 2.4%, p = 0.011). Further multivariable analysis showed male (OR = 2.168, p = 0.000), Convidecia vaccination (OR = 2.634, p = 0.014), hospitalization duration (OR = 2.146, p = 0.000) and education level (OR = 1.595, p = 0.007) were associated with re-positivity. The average rate of re-positivity was 25% during hospitalization and decreased to 0.4% among discharged patients. Re-positivity was more common in the period with a larger number of hospitalized patients and in larger wards with a larger number of patients.
UNASSIGNED: A large number of hospitalized patients, large-sized wards, and gender are significant contributing factors to re-positivity. Division of the shelter cabin hospital into small independent wards and requirement of three consecutive results daily as the de-isolation criterion might be more beneficial to the control and prevention of the spread of the Omicron variant.