Rapid Immunoassay Test Research Articles

Prevalence of HBV Co-infections with HCV and HIV among Blood Donors in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Blood is a life-saving resource. Despite the significance of blood transfusion in saving a millions life in emergencies and medical treatment, the safety of blood transfusion faced challenges of transmitting life threatening transfusion transmissible infectious agents such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The study was carried out to determine the sero-prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV and co-infections among blood donors in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. A total of five hundred (500) prospective blood donors age ranged from 18 to 60 years attending Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital between May to November, 2019 were recruited for the study. Prospective study was based on questionnaires administered to generate socio-demographics and a 5ml venous blood samples were obtained from each blood donors and the plasma was used for determination of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV using immunoassay rapid test kit (RTK) Diaspot, Belgium and HIV-1 and HIV-2 Determine Alere Medical ,Japan and further tested with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Biorad Monolisa, France). The prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV were 4.8%, 1.2% and 1.8% respectively, while co-infections with HBV/ HIV and HBV/HCV were 0.2% and 0.2% respectively and there was no case of triple infections among the blood donors. The incidence rate was high in HBV followed by HIV and HCV. The use of RTK and ELISA for screening of blood donor for HBsAg, anti HCV and HIV in terms of their sensitively and specificity showed that ELISA is more sensitive than RTK while RTK is more specific than ELISA. From the retrospective study age and gender distribution was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). A significance difference was observed between married blood donors and HIV infection (P < 0.05) and also blood donors with history of blood transfusion showed statistical significant to HBV and HCV (P < 0.05). The prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV infections among blood donors were found to be statistically associated with smoking, alcohol consumption, surgical operation, multiple sex partners and tattooing (P < 0.05). This study shows that the prevalence of HBV infection in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State ,Nigeria was higher than HCV and HIV, hence there is need to increase public awareness of the socio-cultural practices that contribute to the transmission of infection.

Development of an instrument-free and low-cost ELISA dot-blot test to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

Most laboratory tests to detect the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies use enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIA); however, equipment for these immunoassays is unavailable in many areas of low- and middle-income countries. Rapid lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) tests are an equipment-free option, but their high price may make them less suitable for conducting seroprevalence surveys. Here, we describe a simple dual antigen ELISA dot-blot test to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies with high sensitivity (94-98%) and specificity (92-100%), compared to commercially available ELISA and CLIA options. Additionally, this ELISA dot-blot test can be completed in one hour using minimal laboratory equipment. Importantly, this immunoassay is significantly more affordable than most LFIA tests available on the global market. The dot-blot strips may be stored for up to 7 days under freezing conditions. This ELISA dot-blot test is a cost-effective option for conducting seroprevalence screenings in areas lacking ELISA or CLIA facilities, compared to LFIA tests.

Incidence and Hematological Changes in Dogs Infected with Dirofilaria immitis in Thailand

Dirofilaria immitis is responsible for heartworm disease in dogs. Clinical signs are non-specific, ranging from asymptomatic to severe symptoms. The most common symptoms include coughing, emaciation, dyspnoea, and sudden loss of consciousness. Therefore, diagnosing heartworm infection in dogs requires a combination of methods, such as hematology and serology. This study was conducted on dogs with clinical signs, including anorexia, coughing, panting, and hind legs weakness, that was referred accidentally to a pet clinic in Thonburi district, Bangkok Province, Thailand, during 2020-2022. The examination was performed using a rapid enzyme immunoassay test and a thin blood smear. The total number of dogs admitted to a pet clinic during that period was 980. The result indicated infection of 21 (12 male and 9 female) dogs with heartworm (2.14%). The mean age of dogs was 5.62 ± 2.48 years. All infected dogs were classified under an open husbandry system that did not consistently use heartworm prevention products such as the macrocyclic lactone group. In the groups that received topical ectoparasites products, 10 dogs were detected with heartworm infection. The hematological changes in the infected dogs consisted of leucocytosis and increased levels of ALT, BUN, and creatinine. The study results can guide owners in choosing products that can prevent heartworm. Anti-mosquito nets should be deployed in areas where pets live, and always keep the environment clean.

Investigação de Chlamydia sp., Morbillivirus sp., Parvovirus sp., Leishmania sp. e Alphacoronavirus sp. em tamanduás-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) em cativeiro

ABSTRACT This research aimed to investigate the occurrence of Chlamydia sp., Morbillivirus sp., Parvovirus sp., Leishmania sp. and Alphacoronavirus sp. in captive giant anteaters. Blood and fecal samples were taken from 16 animals in institutions from the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia and Distrito Federal, which had been in captivity for at least a year. A commercial rapid chromatographic immunoassay test was used for detecting coronavirus and parvovirus antigens, in addition to antibodies against leishmaniasis, all results being negative. In the case of the test for antibodies against distemper, four (4/16; 25%) anteaters had an average titration, two (2/16; 12.5%) a low titration and ten (10/16; 62.5%) were non-reactive. Using the DOT-ELISA (dot blotting) method for detection of immunoglobulin G, only one specimen obtained a 1 : 40 titration. For the polymerase chain reaction tests for Leishmania and Chlamydia, all samples were negative.

Detection of COVID-19 using rapid point-of-care chromatographic immunoassay-based test

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has so far affected over 41 million people globally. The limited supply of real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) kits and reagents has made meeting the rising demand for incompetent. Therefore, numerous easy-to-use rapid antigen tests (RATs) based on lateral flow technology have been developed and are the need of the hour. This has a risen a crucial need for point-of-care devices for on-site detection. The objective of this study was to detect SARS-CoV-2 in suspected persons by rapid point-of-care (POC) chromatography immunoassay-based test. Aim: The present study was conducted during the initial pandemic where all suspected cases were subjected to rapid POC chromatography immunoassay-based test and evaluated the outbreaks of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 239 patients suspected of COVID-19. Nasal samples were collected for the rapid diagnostic test. The rapid chromatographic immunoassay test was performed immediately in all the patients. Results: Of the 239 sample that were tested by Rapid antigen detection test, 89 (37.2%) were positive and 150 (62.7%) were found negative. Maximum number of patients that were positive from 60-74 years of which male were 23 (25.8%) and female were 13 (14.6%) and minimum number of cases were from above 75 years in which male were 5 (5.6%) and female 2 (2.2%). Conclusion: The RAT showed an admirable specificity to rule in COVID-19 patients within the first 5 days of illness and had a reasonable sensitivity. Therefore, patients showing positive results need to immediately get treatment and those with negative tests should be reconfirmed by rRT-PCR as it is considered the gold standard for COVID-19 testing.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Seromarkers in Female Sex Workers in Enugu State, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a sexually transmitted virus with a wide range of terminal complications. As such, female sex workers (FSWs) are an important group in the epidemiology of the virus. This study was aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence of HBV markers and the exposure rate of the virus among FSWs in Enugu State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out among brothel-based FSWs, involving 200 participants recruited using a consecutive sampling method. Blood specimens were collected and tested for HBV markers using chromatographic immunoassay rapid test kits. Additional information was obtained through the administration of a well-structured pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 and analyzed using the Descriptive Statistics and Chi-Square test in SPSS. Out of the 200 sampled individuals, 82(41%) tested positive for at least one seromarker, with 44(22%) showing evidence of natural infection and 38(19%) indicating a vaccine response. Hepatitis B core antibody (total anti-HBc) was present in 42(21%) of the participants, while 8(4%) had hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), which is indicative of current infection. This study revealed intermediate prevalence, a high exposure rate and a low vaccination rate among the study population. There is a need for more effective intervention strategies among FSWs in the study area.

Comparison Study of Four Commercial SARS-CoV-2-Rapid Antigen Tests: Characterisation of the Individual Components

During the corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a sharp increase in the need for diagnostic tests that could detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus or its antibodies quickly and reliably. An important type in the group of diagnostic tests are rapid antigen lateral flow immuno-assay (LFIA) tests, which operate on the immuno-chromatographic principle with the lateral flow of analyte. Clinical practice in the last year has shown that such diagnostic tests can be effective in preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.The development, and, thus, the production of the rapid antigen LFIA tests, is influenced by a number of factors that determine their sensitivity and accuracy indirectly. These factors are directly dependent on the type of antibody produced, which is formed as an immune response when infected with the virus. The production of the rapid antigen LFIA tests is associated with the appropriate selection of basic components that determine the type and quality of these tests. The basic components include: substrates and membranes, antigens, antibody labels and compatible buffers. The correct choice of membranes and their materials is crucial to compiling an effective rapid antigen LFIA test. This study therefore presents a comparative analysis of four commercially available SARS-CoV-2-rapid LFIA tests using state-of-the-art characterisation techniques scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), environmental scanning electron microscope / energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (ESEM/EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy / attenuated total reflection (FTIR/ATR) for the individual components. The obtained results were the starting point for the development and assembling of our own rapid antigen LFIA test based on gold nanoparticles as antibody labels.

Validation of a quantitative lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA)-based point-of-care (POC) rapid test for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies

With the widespread use of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, a rapid and reliable method to detect SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) is extremely important for monitoring vaccine effectiveness and immunity in the population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the RapiRead™ reader and the TestNOW™ COVID-19 NAb rapid point-of-care (POC) test for quantitative measurement of antibodies against the spike protein receptor-binding domain of severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in different biological matrices compared to chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) methods. Ninety-four samples were collected and analyzed using a RapiRead™ reader and TestNOW™ COVID-19 NAb kits for detecting neutralizing antibodies, and then using two CLIAs. The data were compared statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis test for more than two groups or the Mann-Whitney test for two groups. Specificity and sensitivity were evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Good correlation was observed between the rapid lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) test system and both CLIA methods. RapiRead™ reader/TestNOW™ COVID-19 NAb vs. Maglumi: correlation coefficient (r) = 0.728 for all patients; r = 0.841 for vaccinated patients. RapiRead™ reader/TestNOW™ COVID-19 NAb vs. Mindray: r = 0.6394 in all patients; r = 0.8724 in vaccinated patients. The time stability of the POC serological test was also assessed considering two times of reading, 12 and 14 minutes. The data revealed no significant differences. The use of a RapiRead™ reader and TestNOW™ COVID-19 NAb assay is a quantitative, rapid, and valid method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and could be a useful tool for screening studies of SARS-CoV-2 infection and assessing the efficacy of vaccines in a non-laboratory context.

Evaluation of Four Rapid Antigen Tests for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

ObjectivesConsidering the increasing, significant burden that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) imposes on the healthcare system, the need for simple, rapid, and affordable diagnostic tests to support the existing costly and demanding polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay becomes required. This prospective diagnostic test accuracy study aims to evaluate the performance of four different COVID-19 rapid antigen tests compared to real-time reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) between June and July 2020 to determine the feasibility of integrating these tests into the diagnostic algorithm in clinical settings.MethodsSwabs were collected from 306 patients and analyzed using rRT-PCR and antigen tests from four different providers.ResultsThe antigen tests’ sensitivities were 65.8%, 69.8%, 64.0%, and 64.3% for the STANDARD™ Q COVID-19 Ag test, PCL COVID-19 Ag Rapid fluorescent immunoassay (FIA) test, BIOCREDIT COVID-19 Ag test, and Sofia SARS-CoV-2 antigen FIA test, respectively. Specificity was 94.1% for PCL COVID-19 Ag Rapid test and 100% for the other three assays. All assays showed a significant negative correlation between the reference rRT-PCR Ct values and Ag test results. Besides, sensitivities of the STANDARD™ Q COVID-19 Ag test, PCL COVID-19 Ag Rapid FIA test, and BIOCREDIT COVID-19 Ag test improved to ≥ 85% after exclusion of samples with PCR Ct values > 30.ConclusionsThe high specificity of the rapid antigen tests and other parameters like simplicity, rapidity, and affordability suggest that antigen tests are likely to be helpful if integrated and interpreted appropriately in stepwise diagnostic algorithms. Given the low sensitivity of 64.0–69.8% of the antigen tests, we recommend that clinically relevant negative results undergo further testing Ag to confirm or exclude a COVID-19 diagnosis.

A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study of the Performance of the Widal Test and the Typhidot Immunoassay for Typhoid Fever Diagnosis in the West Region of Cameroon.

Background The diagnosis of typhoid fever based on the Widal slide agglutination test remains a major hurdle in developing countries due to varied perceptions of the value of the Widal test in determining clinical decision-making. We undertook a study to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Widal test and the Typhidot immunoassay in patients suspected of having typhoid fever in the Menoua division, West Region of Cameroon. Methods Blood and stool samples were collected from 558 consenting febrile patients on the basis of suspicion of typhoid fever. These patients attended three district health services of the Menoua division between April 2018 and September 2019. These patients had clinical symptoms suggestive of typhoid fever as determined by their consultant. Serum was used for the Widal slide agglutination test and for the Typhidot rapid immunoassay test based on manufacturer's guidelines. A composite reference of fever plus positive coproculture for Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi was used as the reference. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the positive and negative tests were calculated as well as Cohen's kappa for agreement between the two tests. Results Of 558 patients, 12.90% tested positive for the reference method, 57.17% tested positive for the Widal slide agglutination test, while 15.59% were positive for Typhidot-IgM. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the positive and negative tests were 80.56%, 94.03%, 66.6%, and 97.03% for Typhidot-IgM and 94.44%, 48.35%, 21.32%, and 98.33% for the Widal slide agglutination test, respectively. Cohen's kappa estimates were 0.1660 (0.121–0.211) and 0.386 (0.312–0.460) for the Widal test and Typhidot immunoassay for 53.6% and 76.16% agreements of all observations, respectively. Conclusion The Widal test was found to have a lower predictive value for the diagnosis of typhoid fever in our setting. However, the Typhidot test, although better, was not ideal. Diagnosis of typhoid fever should therefore rely on adequate clinical suspicion and a positive Typhidot test to improve the clinical management of typhoid fever in our setting.

Rapid immunoassay and clinical evaluation of the SARS-CoV-2 antibody assay on the real express-6 analyzer.

We developed a rapid and simple magnetic chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay on the Real Express‐6 analyzer, which could simultaneously detect immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 virus in human blood within 18 min, and which could be used to detect clinical studies to verify its clinical efficacy. We selected blood samples from 185 COVID‐19 patients confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and 271 negative patients to determine the clinical detection sensitivity, specificity, stability, and precision of this method. Meanwhile, we also surveyed the dynamic variance of viral antibodies during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. This rapid immunoassay test has huge potential benefits for rapid screening of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and may help clinical drug and vaccine development.

Seroprevalence Study and Cross-Sectional Survey on COVID-19 for a Plan to Reopen the University of Alicante (Spain).

The implementation of strategies to mitigate possible cases of COVID-19 were addressed at the University of Alicante for the safe reopening of the 2020/2021 academic year. To discover the prevalence of immunity against SARS-CoV-2, a study was designed using a rapid immunoassay test (carried out between 6 and 22 July 2020), and in addition a cross-sectional survey was conducted on risk factors, symptoms, predisposition for becoming vaccinated, and sources of information about COVID-19. A random sample, stratified by students, faculty, and administrative staff, was selected. The seroprevalence found was 2.64% (39/1479; 95% CI 1.8–3.4), and the adjusted seroprevalence was 2.89% (95% CI 2.1–3.7). The average age of the students was 23.2 years old, and 47.6 years old for staff. In relation to COVID-19, the following was found: 17.7% pauci-symptomatic, 1.3% symptomatic, 5.5% contact with cases, 4.9% confined, and 0.3% PCR positive. More than 90% complied with preventive measures. The proportion willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was 91%. Their sources of information were the Internet (74%) and television (70.1%). They requested that the university offer information (45.1%), training (27%), and provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (26.3%). Lastly, 87.9% would repeat the test. A plan was established that included the follow-up of cases and contacts, random sample testing, training courses, bimodal teaching, a specific website, and the distribution of PPE.

Multicenter Evaluation of an ELISA for the Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. Antigen in Clinical Human Stool Samples.

Human cryptosporidiosis remains underdiagnosed, and rapid/accurate diagnosis is of clinical importance. Diagnosis of the Cryptosporidium oocyst in stool samples by conventional microscopy is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and requires skillful experience. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test in detecting Cryptosporidium spp. from fecal specimens. For this aim, we evaluated the performances of a commercial ELISA (CoproELISA Cryptosporidium kit, Savyon Diagnostics, Israel) for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in random clinical stool samples through a multicenter study. The sensitivity and specificity for coproantigen ELISA were 98.86% and 94.32%, respectively. The coproantigen ELISA results indicate that the simple, rapid, reliable, and standardized immunoassay test is sensitive and specific for routine diagnosis, and may be useful for large-scale epidemiological studies of cryptosporidiosis.

Evaluation of a rapid enzyme immunoassay test for diagnosis of contamination of milk, water and feces to Salmonella Typhimurium

Serology-based detection methods have more applicable characteristics than standard bacterial culture methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate a cost-efficient, rapid, sensitive and simple test to diagnose milk, water and feces contaminated with Salmonella enteric subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). The method developed was based on the addition of HRP-conjugated anti-Salmonella antibodies to the sample, precipitation of the complexes formed using centrifuge, and evaluation of the peroxidase activity of the sample supernatants. Raw cow’s milk, water and cattle feces samples were spiked with seven concentrations of S. Typhimurium. The optimized test recorded an accurate volume and concentration of HRP-conjugated antibodies, the bacteria, samples, ionic compounds and the precise time of the reaction. Also, the method of the test and standard sample preparation were carefully optimized. The tests were repeated at least ten times, and the minimum level of detectable bacteria was determined for each repetition. The results obtained were compared with the conventional bacterial culture method. The results showed that in an optimal condition, conjugated anti-Salmonella antibodies interacted with the bacteria in any matrix. The developed method can detect at least 30, 30, 3×103, and 3×103 cell/mL of S. Typhimurium in water, PBS, milk and feces samples respectively, in less than 20 minutes. Also, antibody detection using this EIA can detect an antibody concentration range of 4.3-70 µg/mL. The developed method is a rapid, cost-efficient and simple assay, and can be used to detect S. Typhimurium in various samples.

Detection of Giardia lamblia by Microscopic Examination, Rapid Chromatographic Immunoassay Test, and Molecular Technique.

BackgroundGiardia lamblia is a pathogenic intestinal flagellate transmitted by the ingestion of contaminated water or food with the cyst stage of the parasite. Giardiasis can cause severe acute diarrhea and malabsorption or may persist as a chronic infection. Effective treatment and control measures depend on proper laboratory diagnosis using diagnostic methods with high sensitivity and specificity.ObjectiveTo compare the sensitivity and specificity of direct smear, Ritchie sedimentation technique, two brands of rapid chromatographic immunoassay test, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of G. lamblia in clinical human fecal samples.Materials and methodsUnpreserved 100 stool specimens were collected in clean plastic containers and labeled with the patient’s information and examined through light microscopy, immunochromatographic test (ICTs), and real-time PCR.ResultsOut of 100 fresh stool samples obtained from workers analyzed, real-time PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene was able to detect Giardia deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in (42) samples followed by ImmunoCard STAT! (31) samples (Meridian Bioscience, Germany), direct smear (23) samples, CerTest (19) samples (Biotec, Zaragoza, Spain), and Ritchie technique (17) samples. Real-time PCR was the most sensitive for the diagnosis of G. lamblia in comparison to the other techniques.ConclusionsAll the techniques investigated were sensitive for the detection of G. lamblia in stool samples. Further studies are recommended using multiplex real-time PCR assay in order to increase the possibility of the presence or absence of the infection.

Continuous medical education activities; Answers to Case No. 1

During the winter months (Late November to early April), respiratory illnesses caused by both respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus are frequently epidemic in children 5 years of age and younger. Because the clinical presentation of these 2 illnesses in children can be similar, it is useful to distinguish between the two in the seriously ill child. The rapid enzyme immunoassay test which can detect antigens of either influenza A or B directly in respiratory secretions was positive for influenza A virus. In addition to influenza A virus (the most common and most likely to cause severe disease), infection can occur with influenza B virus (also common) and with influenza C virus (less common, less sever, and does not occur in epidemics). Influenza viruses are single-stranded, segmented, negative sense RNA viruses. Influenza viruses have two well characterized virulence factors on the surface of the virus, neuraminidase and hemagglutinin. Neuraminidase mediate virus penetration through the mucus layer overlaying the surface of the respiratory epithelium, and it also plays a role in the release and spread of the virus from infected respiratory cells. Once the virus penetrates to the surface of the cells, binding to specific sialic acid reach receptors is mediated by hemagglutinin. Also, hemagglutinin plays a role in the formation of channels through which viral RNA can enter the cytoplasm and initiate the viral replicative cycle.

Transfusion-associated adverse events and implementation of blood safety measures - findings from the 2017 National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey.

Serious transfusion-associated adverse events are rare in the United States. To enhance blood safety, various measures have been developed. With use of data from the 2017 National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey (NBCUS), we describe the rate of transfusion-associated adverse events and the implementation of specific blood safety measures. Data from the 2017 NBCUS were used with comparison to already published estimates from 2015. Survey weighting and imputation were used to obtain national estimates of transfusion-associated adverse events, and the number of units treated with pathogen reduction technology (PRT), screened for Babesia, and leukoreduced. The rate of transfusion-associated adverse events requiring any diagnostic or therapeutic interventions was stable (275 reactions per 100,000 transfusions in 2015 and 282 reactions per 100,000 transfusions in 2017). In 2017 among US blood collection centers, 16 of 141 (11.3%) reported screening units for Babesia and 28 of 144 (19.4%) reported PRT implementation; 138 of 2279 (6.1%) hospitals reported transfusing PRT-treated platelets. In 2017, 134 of 2336 (5.7%) hospitals reported performing secondary bacterial testing of platelets (50,922 culture-based and 63,220 rapid immunoassay tests); in 2015, 71 of 1877 (3.8%) hospitals performed secondary testing (87,155 culture-based and 21,779 rapid immunoassay tests). Nearly all whole blood/red blood cell units and platelet units were leukoreduced. Besides leukoreduction, implementation of most blood safety measures reported in this study remains low. Nationally, hospitals might be shifting from culture-based secondary bacterial testing to rapid immunoassays.

COVID-19 Experience: First Italian Survey on Healthcare Staff Members from a Mother-Child Research Hospital Using Combined Molecular and Rapid Immunoassay Tests

Background: The fast spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global threat hitting the worldwide fragile health care system In Italy, there i

Characteristics and assessment of the usefulness of serological tests in the diagnostic of infections caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 on the basis of available manufacturer's data and literature review.

Recognized in 2019 in Wuhan, China, the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is responsible for the occurrence of a global pandemic disease called COVID-19. So far, confirmation of infection is based on the detection of virus RNA in a sample taken from a person meeting the suspected case definition. However, in the laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections, in addition to genetic tests, serological methods can also be used to detect specific antibodies of the IgM, IgG and IgA class produced after contact with antigens or to detect viral antigen. Currently, a number of rapid immunochromatographic, chemiluminescent and ELISA immunoassay tests developed by different manufacturers for the diagnosis of COVID-19 are available on the market. Despite this fact, so far there is no WHO or ECDC recommendations or even reliable research regarding the usefulness of serological investigations in the laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B, C and coinfection among patients with chronic kidney disease in a Nigerian hospital.

Infectious diseases remain a major health challenge in developing countries, compounding the woes of growing noncommunicable diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Increased morbidity and mortality have been reported among CKD patients with hepatitis infection and may necessitate protocol for treatment, follow-up, and prevention of spread. We aimed to determine the prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C infections among CKD patients and the effects on their liver enzymes. In this retrospective study, 314 CKD patients screened for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were reviewed. Participants were screened at the time of diagnosis of CKD or referral, using qualitative enzyme immunoassay rapid test kits before the initiation of treatment. Individuals who were reactive to human immunodeficiency virus were excluded, and data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21.0. Participants included 206 males (65.6%) and 108 females (34.4%), with a mean age of 50.5 ± 16.3 years. The seroprevalence of HBsAg, HCV, and coinfection was seen in 15.6% (49), 4.8% (15), and 0.92% of the patients, respectively. More than half (63.6%) of the seropositive patients were below 50 years of age. Alanine transaminase (ALT) activity was higher in HCV seropositive than negative (10.5 ± 10.5 vs. 21.2 ± 35.9) (P = 0.001), while aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were similar. ALT, AST, and ALP were also similar between HBsAg-seropositive and HBsAg-negative patients. The prevalence of hepatitis B and C is high among our CKD patients. This suggests the need for improved screening and treatment of hepatitis infection in this group. Immunization may also be essential to prevent its spread among patients requiring hemodialysis.