Articles tagged with Virus Testing
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A new COVID-19 pooling test method, P-BEST, has been developed to identify all positive subjects, including asymptomatic carriers, in a single round of testing. The algorithmic method increases testing efficiency and reduces costs, making it ideal for conducting carrier screening when infection rates are low.
Scientists developed four serological assays to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and two for neutralizing antibodies, showing that antibody responses appear 5-6 days after symptoms, with neutralizing activity after 7-14 days. The assays were highly sensitive and specific, with varying levels of availability depending on equipment.
A new study by ARUP Laboratories and University of Utah Health found that self-collected saliva and deep nasal swabs are equally effective in detecting SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. This discovery has important implications for patients and providers, offering a less invasive testing option.
A prototype device has been developed to detect COVID-19 in exhaled breath, reducing the need for uncomfortable nasopharyngeal swabs. The sensor shows high accuracy in distinguishing COVID-19 cases from controls and lung infections, with potential applications for screening large populations.
A new platform analyzing medical records of COVID-19 patients has provided intriguing clinical clues about the disease's presentation, evolution, and impact on different organ systems. The data from 96 hospitals in five countries has raised more questions than answers, but holds promise for rapid disease insights.
The UCI system uses lab-on-a-chip technology to detect COVID-19 antibodies in a low-cost, portable imaging platform. The device can process hundreds of antibody responses simultaneously, enabling accurate testing and potentially informing public health strategies.
A new study found that Covid-19 patients experience a more profound loss of smell and taste compared to those with a bad cold or flu. This is because Covid-19 affects the central nervous system, whereas other respiratory infections tend to affect the upper respiratory tract.
Researchers developed a test that shows transplant patients can form a good immune response to Sars-Cov-2, allowing for individualized adjustment of immunosuppression during Covid-19 infection. This is crucial for preventing severe infections in chronically ill patients with impaired immune defenses.
Researchers developed a rapid molecular test called N1-STOP-LAMP that can diagnose SARS-CoV-2 with 100% accuracy in just 20 minutes. The test uses a portable machine and is highly efficient, making it suitable for settings with limited testing capabilities.
Children accounted for only 1408 out of 129704 positive results, equal to 1% of total and 4% of tests carried out on them. The case fatality rate was estimated to be less than 1 in 200 (0.5%)
A large-scale analysis by UPMC found that patients positive for COVID-19 stay positive for an average of three weeks. Repeating tests in patients who were initially negative rarely leads to a positive result.
Researchers at Yale University found that patients with COVID-19 had abnormal liver tests at much higher rates than previous studies, associated with poorer outcomes. The study also discovered a relationship between drugs used to treat severe COVID-19 and liver damage.
A simple, low-cost device tests mask effectiveness in blocking droplet emissions during normal wear. The study found that N95 masks without valves and surgical/polypropylene masks perform well, while hand-made cotton face coverings provide good coverage, but bandanas and neck fleeces offer little protection.
Researchers used 'partial identification' technique to make assumptions about COVID-19 data from Illinois, New York, and Italy. This approach narrowed the bounds of infection fatality rates, providing a more accurate understanding of the virus.
A large proportion of UK healthcare workers may have already been infected with Covid-19, with many experiencing mild symptoms such as anosmia. The study found that nearly two-thirds of participants reported losing their sense of smell or taste between mid-February and mid-April.
A rapid and affordable test for breast cancer has been developed to combat delayed diagnoses in developing regions. The compact CytoPAN test uses image cytometry to analyze individual cells, yielding results in under 1 hour and requiring minimal training, making it ideal for resource-limited settings.
The ACTIV-3 clinical trial tests the safety and efficacy of a monoclonal antibody treatment in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The trial aims to enroll approximately 300 volunteers with mild to moderate symptoms, who will receive either an intravenous infusion of LY-CoV555 or a saline placebo infusion.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded contracts to seven biomedical diagnostic companies to develop new lab-based and point-of-care tests for COVID-19. These tests will significantly increase the number, type, and availability of tests, meeting national demand estimated to be millions more tests per day.
A study found that countries with mandatory BCG vaccination until 2000 exhibited slower infection and death rates during the initial COVID-19 outbreak. Researchers estimated that only 468 people would have died in the US if mandatory BCG vaccination had been implemented decades earlier.
A study of almost 100,000 healthcare workers in the UK and US found they were 3.4 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than the general community. The risk was higher among those with inadequate PPE or who reused it, highlighting the need for better protection measures.
The National Academies has published a guide to help public officials interpret COVID-19 data, considering factors such as data representation, biases, and uncertainties. The guide aims to provide decision-makers with a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various data sources.
A cheaper, rapid, and accurate pooling strategy for RT-PCR-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples has been proposed. The assay has a significant impact on large-scale population screening, reducing testing costs by approximately 5-10 fold.
A new rapid test detects neutralizing antibodies against Sars-Cov-2 in 18 hours, faster and more accessible than traditional methods. The test's accuracy is comparable to conventional tests, making it a reliable tool for determining immunity and vaccine effectiveness.
A recent study found that relying on symptom tracking apps to predict COVID-19 is inaccurate, highlighting the importance of laboratory testing. The study compared data from two studies and found that only specific symptoms like loss of smell and taste were reliable indicators.
A faster and less complicated SARS-CoV-2 testing method could aid in rapid isolation of infected people and prevent new outbreaks. Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) is a promising alternative to current standard methods, though with lower sensitivity.
The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix is leading an effort to develop a portable device that can easily and accurately detect biological threats, including COVID-19. The device, which combines polymerase chain reaction and antibody testing methods, aims to provide rapid diagnostic testing for a broad range of pathogens.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed a new, rapid COVID-19 diagnostic test that can produce results in just 36 minutes. The portable test works for other viruses like dengue and can be used in low-resource settings.
A meta-analysis of over 3,000 specimens found that sputum testing detected the COVID-19 virus at significantly higher rates than other methods. Early testing also increased rates of diagnosis. The study suggests that sputum testing could be a valuable method for diagnosing and monitoring COVID-19 patients.
The sVNT can detect functional neutralising antibodies (NAbs) in an hour, differentiating them from binding antibodies (BAbs), without live virus or biocontainment facilities. It has high specificity and sensitivity, making it accessible for research and clinical applications.
Researchers found loss of taste and smell to be predictive symptoms of COVID-19, contrary to hospital data. Primary care physicians' unique perspective sheds light on the limitations of relying solely on hospital data in public health policy.
The NIH's RADx initiative aims to increase daily COVID-19 testing capacity to 6 million by December 2020. The program focuses on expanding low-complexity point-of-care molecular diagnostics with rapid results for underserved populations.
Georgia State University researchers have received a $200,000 grant to develop a COVID-19 test tool that detects SARS-CoV-2 using electrochemistry. The technology offers several benefits, including fast turnaround time and decreased false negative outcomes.
The study found an estimated 187,802 Hoosiers infected with COVID-19 and 1.7% of participants tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Social distancing efforts were shown to minimize transmission, with asymptomatic individuals contributing significantly to infection rates.
A simple laboratory test, the eosinophil count from a routine complete blood cell count (CBC), can aid in early diagnosis and provide prognostic information for COVID-19 patients. Persistent low counts correlated with poor prognosis and high disease severity.
A mathematical modelling study finds that a delay of three days or more between symptom onset and testing will not reduce onward transmission sufficiently to control further spread. Contact tracing strategies must keep the R number below 1, and mobile apps can speed up this process.
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have developed a novel mass spectrometry-based test that can detect small amounts of SARS-CoV-2 in highly diluted gargle samples. The test is highly specific for the virus and can be used in early stages of the disease when many viruses are present.
A new study by NSF International and Novateur Ventures found significant variability in the accuracy of available COVID-19 antibody tests. The study identified 13 top-performing tests with high sensitivity and specificity, emphasizing the need for ongoing independent evaluations of commercialized tests.
The study evaluated the outcomes of universal COVID-19 testing following new case detection in 11 US long-term care facilities. The test results identified multiple outbreaks and facilitated timely interventions.
A study suggests that COVID-19 data patterns are driven by variations in testing and reporting practices, rather than social interactions or healthcare quality. The researchers found that changes in reporting methods, such as the timing of death reports, can cause fluctuations in case numbers.
A new, reusable face mask made of durable silicone rubber and an N95 filter has been designed to be easily sterilized and used many times. The team tested various sterilization methods and found that the material remained undamaged after autoclaving, oven treatment, or soaking in bleach and isopropyl alcohol.
Researchers found that testing of oropharyngeal secretions can reduce the number of false negative COVID-19 test results. This simple procedure minimizes contact between healthcare workers and patients, reducing virus transmission risk.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of COVID-19 antibody tests found significant methodological weaknesses, including high bias risk and limited study populations. The review suggests that existing point-of-care tests should not be used for COVID-19 diagnosis due to low sensitivity and specificity.
A recent study in the quarantined Italian town of Vò found that nearly 40% of COVID-19 cases showed no symptoms, emphasizing the role of asymptomatic transmission. The study suggests that widespread testing, isolating infected people, and community lockdowns effectively controlled the outbreak.
Researchers found that HIV-positive adults' brains process speech cues differently, with disrupted responses even when hearing tests are normal. This non-invasive test holds promise for understanding brain dysfunction in HIV and other disorders.
The new recommendations emphasize more precise management based on estimates of a patient's risk, enabling personalized diagnoses, treatments, and follow-ups. Patients with higher individualized risk estimates require more frequent screening, colposcopy/biopsy, and treatment.
Researchers at University of Saskatchewan are developing a unique saliva-based test to detect SARS-CoV-2 peptides in saliva, which is expected to be more sensitive, less invasive, and less expensive than current methods. The test aims to detect mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 cases and will be available by March 2021.
Researchers at UT Austin are developing a new sensor that can differentiate between COVID-19 and the flu, informing treatment decisions and infection control measures. The dual test is more convenient for patients and saves time for medical personnel, potentially reducing costs and workload.
A group of senior clinical academics and physicians express concern about the rapid roll-out of COVID-19 antibody testing in England, questioning its accuracy and relevance. They argue that large-scale testing is not clinically justified and risks wasteful use of resources.
A recent study analyzing nearly 38,000 test results revealed a positivity rate among Latinx populations approximately three times higher than other racial and ethnic groups. Researchers attribute the disparities to socially and economically marginalized factors such as crowded living conditions and essential worker status.
Researchers recommend additional research on serology test accuracy and proposed strategies to distinguish between naturally acquired and vaccine-induced antibodies. The group also emphasized the need for an interactive serological database to monitor SARS-CoV-2 infection patterns.
A new research project at the University of Bristol aims to create a low-cost, rapid COVID-19 diagnosis system. The pilot study uses simulant fluorescently labelled RNA to develop an assay for coronavirus detection.
Two studies provide new insights into antibody testing and RNA testing for SARS-CoV-2. Researchers found that antibody tests are highly accurate, but repeat testing is necessary to confirm infection status. The gold standard rt-PCR test can detect current infection, but false positives can occur.
Researchers found that patients with less pulmonary consolidation on chest CT were more likely to have negative initial lab results for COVID-19 pneumonia. The study used chest CT scans and RT-PCR tests on 21 patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia.
Testing is vital to identify cases, track superspreading events, and spot previously infected individuals. Innovative approaches are helping to overcome bottlenecks in testing efforts, with the US still struggling to match countries like New Zealand and South Korea.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, researchers found a shift in the association between poverty and case numbers, with richer counties experiencing higher confirmed cases. In contrast, poorer counties saw disproportionately higher death rates, even after accounting for other factors.
A new system for detecting antibodies uses a microfluidic thread-based analytical device that relies on light-emitting sensor proteins held on a thread. The device can detect antibody levels within five minutes and does not require extensive handling and incubation steps.
The All of Us Research Program is leveraging its participant base to gather insights into COVID-19 through antibody testing, surveys, and electronic health record information. The program aims to shed light on the pandemic's spread and impact in the United States.
A new UK modelling study suggests that combining self-isolation, intensive contact tracing, and moderate physical distancing measures can effectively control the COVID-19 epidemic. The study found that a high incidence of cases would require a large number of individuals to be quarantined to control transmission.
A team of researchers found six existing antiviral drugs that worked against COVID-19 in laboratory tests, with a combination of nelfinavir and amodiaquine showing the highest synergy. However, using blood plasma from recovered patients to treat severely ill patients may only work if the donor has recently recovered from COVID-19.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that self-collected nasal swab samples yielded results as accurate as those collected by healthcare workers, paving the way for widespread at-home testing. The study also explored how long infected individuals remain contagious and provided insights into viral shedding patterns.