Article
Microbiology
Jessica Navero-Castillejos, Climent Casals-Pascual, Sofia Narvaez, Genoveva Cuesta, Juan Carlos Hurtado, Mariana Fernandez, Mireia Navarro, Aida Peiro-Mestres, Ma Victoria Lasheras, Patricia Rodriguez, Andrea Pulgarin, Ma Angeles Marcos, Jordi Vila, Miguel Julian Martinez
Summary: In this study, the diagnostic performance of six different commercial rapid antigen tests was evaluated. The sensitivity of the tests ranged from 65% to 79%, while the specificity was 100% for all of them. The Siemens test showed the highest sensitivity for patients with high viral loads, while the Vircell test performed better than the rest for samples with high C-T values.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Virology
Nicolas Veyrenche, Karine Bollore, Amandine Pisoni, Anne-Sophie Bedin, Anne-Marie Mondain, Jacques Ducos, Michel Segondy, Brigitte Montes, Patrick Pastor, David Morquin, Alain Makinson, Vincent Le Moing, Philippe Van de Perre, Vincent Foulongne, Edouard Tuaillon
Summary: The study evaluated the performance of a diagnosis strategy based on a combination of antigen and IgM/IgG serological RDTs, finding that this combination enabled the detection of up to 84.0% of COVID-19 confirmed cases at hospital admission. IgG detection was associated with time after symptom onset and Ct values, while isolated IgM on RDTs was more frequently observed during the first and second week after symptom onset.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Reza Soleimani, Corentin Deckers, Te-Din Huang, Pierre Bogaerts, Stephanie Evrard, Isaline Wallemme, Boutaina Habib, Pauline Rouze, Olivier Denis
Summary: This study evaluated the performances of two rapid antigen testing devices in detecting SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal samples, showing relatively high sensitivity, especially with lower cycle threshold values, and 100% specificity for both devices.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bianca Bruzzone, Vanessa De Pace, Patrizia Caligiuri, Valentina Ricucci, Giulia Guarona, Beatrice M. Pennati, Simona Boccotti, Andrea Orsi, Alexander Domnich, Giorgio Da Rin, Giancarlo Icardi
Summary: The study aimed to quantify the performance of seven available antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) in a real-world hospital setting. Results showed an overall sensitivity of 78.7% and specificity of 100% for the Ag-RDTs, with significant variation in sensitivity estimates by brand and cycle threshold values.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Fabian Heinrich, Ann Sophie Schroeder, Anna-Lina Gerberding, Moritz Gerling, Felicia Langenwalder, Philine Lange, Axel Heinemann, Eric Bibiza-Freiwald, Dominik Sebastian Noerz, Martin Aepfelbacher, Susanne Pfefferle, Benjamin Ondruschka, Marc Luetgehetmann
Summary: We investigated the infectivity of 128 severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2-associated deaths and evaluated the predictive values of standard diagnostic procedures. Our findings indicated that maintained infectivity (20%) did not correlate with viral RNA loads but correlated well with anti-S antibody levels. The high sensitivity (>90%) of antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests supports their usefulness for assessment.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Felipe Perez-Garcia, Juan Romanyk, Helena Moya Gutierrez, Andrea Labrador Ballestero, Ines Perez Ranz, Javier Gonzalez Arroyo, Victoria Gonzalez Ventosa, Ramon Perez-Tanoira, Concepcion Domingo Cruz, Juan Cuadros-Gonzalez
Summary: Panbio and SD-Biosensor Ag-RDTs showed excellent agreement and diagnostic performance for samples with high viral loads (C-t <= 25) or samples within seven d.p.o. The sensitivity decreased with higher C-t values and days post onset of symptoms.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Roderick P. Venekamp, Irene K. Veldhuijzen, Karel G. M. Moons, Wouter van den Bijllaardt, Suzan D. Pas, Esther B. Lodder, Richard Molenkamp, Zsofi Igloi, Constantijn Wijers, Claudy Oliveira dos Santos, Sylvia B. Debast, Marjan J. Bruins, Khaled Polad, Carla R. S. Nagel-Imming, Wanda G. H. Han, Janneke H. H. M. van de Wijgert, Susan van den Hof, Ewoud Schuit
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of three main SARS-CoV-2 Ag-RDTs and found that their overall sensitivities were 69-75%. The sensitivity was lower among asymptomatic participants, and false-negative Ag-RDT participants had a high positivity rate during follow-up.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Abdul Hadi Juniastuti, Abdul Hadi Furqoni, Mochamad Amin, Yanna Debby Restifan, Serius Miliyani Dwi Putri, Virginia Ayu Ferandra, Maria Inge Lusida
Summary: This study evaluated the validity of three Ag-RDT kits from different companies, finding that they all had high specificity but failed to meet the minimum performance requirements for samples with Ct <= 25. Factors that may influence the results were also identified.
Article
Virology
Felipe Perez-Garcia, Juan Romanyk, Pena Gomez-Herruz, Teresa Arroyo, Ramon Perez-Tanoira, Manuel Linares, Ines Perez Ranz, Andrea Labrador Ballestero, Helena Moya Gutierrez, Ma Jesus Ruiz-Alvarez, Juan Cuadros-Gonzalez
Summary: The study showed that both CerTest and Panbio Ag-RDTs demonstrated excellent specificity but lower sensitivity. Higher sensitivity was observed when Ct values were <25, while significantly lower sensitivity was noted with Ct >25. Samples taken within the first 5 days of symptom onset showed higher sensitivity for both tests. Both Ag-RDTs exhibited excellent agreement with each other and with PCR for samples with high viral loads or those taken within the first 5 days after symptom onset.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Elena Shidlovskaya, Nadezhda A. Kuznetsova, Elizaveta Divisenko, Maria A. Nikiforova, Andrei E. Siniavin, Daria A. Ogarkova, Aleksandr Shagaev, Maria A. Semashko, Artem P. Tkachuk, Olga A. Burgasova, Vladimir A. Gushchin
Summary: The study demonstrated that rapid antigen tests showed high sensitivity in detecting samples containing viable SARS-CoV-2, making them significantly better for identifying viable virus in conditionally healthy individuals and monitoring quarantined individuals.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Paul K. Drain, Meagan Bemer, Jennifer F. Morton, Ronit Dalmat, Hussein Abdille, Katherine K. Thomas, Timsy K. Uppal, Derrick Hau, Heather R. Green, Marcellene A. Gates-Hollingsworth, David P. AuCoin, Subhash C. Verma
Summary: This diagnostic study assessed the accuracy of two rapid diagnostic tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2 across different variants. The results showed that both tests had reliable analytical and clinical performance data across the different variant phases. Therefore, home-based rapid antigen testing programs may play an important role in reducing the global transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Aminah Nalumansi, Tom Lutalo, John Kayiwa, Christine Watera, Stephen Balinandi, Jocelyn Kiconco, Joweria Nakaseegu, Denis Olara, Emmanuel Odwilo, Jennifer Serwanga, Bernard Kikaire, Deogratius Ssemwanga, Susan Nabadda, Isaac Ssewanyana, Diane Atwine, Henry Mwebesa, Henry Kyobe Bosa, Christopher Nsereko, Matthew Cotten, Robert Downing, Julius Lutwama, Pontiano Kaleebu
Summary: The study evaluated a low-cost and easy-to-use rapid antigen test for diagnosing COVID-19, with a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 92%, and diagnostic accuracy of 84%. The antigen test was more likely to be positive for samples with qRT-PCR Ct values <29. The test may have an important role to play early in infection, but results should be confirmed by qRT-PCR.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Muhammad Fazli Khalid, Kasturi Selvam, Alfeq Jazree Nashru Jeffry, Mohamad Fazrul Salmi, Mohamad Ahmad Najib, Mohd Noor Norhayati, Ismail Aziah
Summary: This systematic review aims to evaluate the pooled sensitivity and specificity of commercially available rapid antigen tests (RATs) for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection. The review found that RATs have varied performance in different settings, with nasal swabs showing the highest sensitivity and samples from symptomatic patients demonstrating higher sensitivity. While the sensitivity of RATs needs improvement, they may still be a viable option for diagnosing the disease in places where laboratory facilities are lacking in the early phase.
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giorgia Guglielmi
Summary: Scientists are still debating whether millions of cheap, fast diagnostic kits will help control the pandemic.
Article
Virology
Yuko Sakai-Tagawa, Seiya Yamayoshi, Peter J. Halfmann, Nancy Wilson, Max Bobholz, William C. Vuyk, Wanting Wei, Hunter Ries, David H. O'Connor, Thomas C. Friedrich, Emilia M. Sordillo, Harm van Bakel, Viviana Simon, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Summary: Diagnosis by rapid antigen tests (RATs) is useful for early initiation of antiviral treatment. However, the sensitivity of RATs may be affected by amino acid changes in the N protein, particularly in the Omicron variant and its subvariants.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Matthew J. Cummings, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Adam Price, Nicholas Owor, John Kayiwa, Joyce Namulondo, Timothy Byaruhanga, Komal Jain, Thomas S. Postler, Moses Muwanga, Christopher Nsereko, Irene Nayiga, Stephen Kyebambe, Xiaoyu Che, Stephen Sameroff, Rafal Tokarz, Shivang S. Shah, Michelle H. Larsen, W. Ian Lipkin, Julius J. Lutwama, Max R. O'Donnell
Summary: This study investigated the influence of HIV infection on the immunopathology and organ dysfunction of patients hospitalized with suspected sepsis in Uganda. The results showed that HIV-infected patients presented with more severe physiological disturbances and shock, and had a higher mortality rate at 30 days. Furthermore, HIV-infected patients exhibited exaggerated activation of multiple immune and thrombotic metabolic pathways. This study revealed the specific circumstances of HIV-infected patients in the pathogenesis of sepsis, providing important information for further research and treatment.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Matthew J. Cummings, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Komal Jain, Adam Price, Nicholas Owor, John Kayiwa, Joyce Namulondo, Timothy Byaruhanga, Moses Muwanga, Christopher Nsereko, Stephen Sameroff, W. Ian Lipkin, Julius J. Lutwama, Max R. O'Donnell
Summary: The global burden of sepsis is particularly severe in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the management of severe infections is challenged by epidemic HIV and unique pathogen diversity. In a prospective cohort study in Uganda, machine learning methods were used to develop a prediction model for 30-day mortality in adults with suspected sepsis. The model integrated physiology-based risk scores with soluble biomarkers and showed enhanced prediction accuracy when combined with whole-blood RNA sequencing data.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
John T. Kayiwa, Martin N. Mayanja, Teddy Muwawu Nakayiki, Fred Senfuka, Julius Mugga, Jeffrey W. Koehler, Eric C. Mossel, Julius J. Lutwama
Summary: In response to two human cases of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Uganda, an entomological investigation was carried out to determine the mosquito species and abundance, identify potential mosquito vectors, and test for virus transmission. The study revealed the isolation of two Wesselsbron virus strains, a neglected arbovirus, from Aedes tricholabis and Ae. gibbinsi mosquitoes. These isolates represent the first reported Wesselsbron virus strains in Uganda since 1966.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Matthew J. Cummings, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Komal Jain, Adam Price, Nicholas Owor, John Kayiwa, Joyce Namulondo, Timothy Byaruhanga, Moses Muwanga, Christopher Nsereko, Irene Nayiga, Stephen Kyebambe, Xiaoyu Che, Stephen Sameroff, Rafal Tokarz, Wai Wong, Thomas S. Postler, Michelle H. Larsen, W. Ian Lipkin, Julius J. Lutwama, Max R. O'Donnell
Summary: This study found that detection of urine TB-LAM was associated with organ dysfunction and immune responses in hospitalized adults with severe HIV/TB. Higher TB-LAM grade was correlated with more severe physiological derangement and impaired antibacterial defense. Therefore, immunomodulatory therapies may be a potential strategy for treating critically ill HIV/TB patients.
JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Arthur W. D. Edridge, Nathalie van den Brekel, Philly Mukungu, Rachael Nakayima, Samuel Bbosa, Peter Isagara, Michael Boele van Hensbroek, Lia van der Hoek, John Kayiwa, Julius J. Lutwama, Richard Idro
Summary: We investigated whether a novel orthobunyavirus called Ntwetwe virus, which was discovered in a Ugandan girl with a fatal encephalopathy, was a common cause of hospital admission for children to Kiboga hospital in Uganda. A case-control study was conducted between September 2019 and September 2020, comparing cases with severe neurological disease and mild febrile illness to healthy controls without fever. Among 143 subjects, no cases with an acute infection of Ntwetwe virus were identified. This suggests that Ntwetwe virus does not contribute significantly to the disease burden among children seeking medical care at Kiboga hospital during the study period.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Phionah Tushabe, Josephine Bwogi, James Peter Eliku, Francis Aine, Molly Birungi, Joseph Gaizi, Lucy Nakabazzi, Theopista Kabaliisa, Irene Turyahabwe, Prossy Namuwulya, Mary Bridget Nanteza, Henry Bukenya, Christopher Kanyesigye, Edson Katushabe, Immaculate Ampeire, Annet Kisakye, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Charles R. Byabamazima
Summary: The genetic instability of the oral polio vaccine poses a threat to the success of the global polio eradication initiative. This instability can result in the emergence of pathogenic vaccine-derived polioviruses in individuals with primary immune deficiencies or low vaccination coverage. The detection of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 in Uganda through environmental surveillance highlights the importance of this method in supplementing acute flaccid paralysis surveillance in the race towards global polio eradication.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Brian K. Kigozi, Grishma A. Kharod, Henry Bukenya, Sean V. Shadomy, Dana L. Haberling, Robyn A. Stoddard, Renee L. Galloway, Phionah Tushabe, Annet Nankya, Thomas Nsibambi, Edward Katongole Mbidde, Julius J. Lutwama, Jamie L. Perniciaro, William L. Nicholson, William A. Bower, Josephine Bwogi, David D. Blaney
Summary: This study aimed to determine the etiology of acute febrile illness (AFI) in three regions of Uganda. Non-malarial AFI pathogens identified were chikungunya virus, Spotted Fever Group rickettsia (SFGR), Typhus Group rickettsia (TGR), typhoid fever (TF), West Nile virus, dengue virus, and leptospirosis. Malaria, arboviral infections, and rickettsioses are major causes of AFI in Uganda. Rating: 5 out of 10.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Josephine Bwogi, Charles Karamagi, Denis Karuhize Byarugaba, Phionah Tushabe, Sarah Kiguli, Prossy Namuwulya, Samuel S. S. Malamba, Khuzwayo C. C. Jere, Ulrich Desselberger, Miren Iturriza-Gomara
Summary: A cross-sectional study conducted in Uganda found the presence of rotavirus infection in humans and animals living in the same environment, but no inter-species transmission was identified.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew Cotten, My V. T. Phan
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has evolved over the years and our study reveals significant changes in the spike protein of the virus. These changes may affect the survival and transmission of the virus, and should be targeted in future vaccine and therapeutic development.
Article
Virology
Mary Bridget Nanteza, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Phionah Tushabe, Prossy Namuwulya, Molly Birungi, Rajab Dhatemwa, James Peter Eliku, Mayi Tibanagwa, Proscovia Kakooza, Henry Bukenya, Josephine Bwogi, Charles Rutebarika Byabamazima
Summary: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is a rare side effect of the oral polio vaccine that can lead to outbreaks and permanent disability. Understanding the evolution of the polio virus protein 1 (VP1) among AFP patients could provide valuable insights into the development of vaccine-derived polioviruses. Mutations in VP1, such as T106A and A54V, were common among AFP patients, along with other substitutions and nucleotide mutations. Characterizing these mutations could help mitigate the risk of vaccine-derived polioviruses and improve vaccine safety.
Article
Biology
Phionah Tushabe, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, James Peter Eliku, Molly Birungi, Francis Aine, Prossy Namuwulya, Henry Bukenya, Immaculate Ampeire, Annet Kisakye, Charles R. Byabamazima, Josephine Bwogi
Summary: This study retrospectively characterized rubella viruses in Uganda, revealing the presence of specific rubella virus genotypes. It highlights the importance of continuous surveillance.
BMC RESEARCH NOTES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Timothy O. Makori, Joel L. Bargul, Arnold W. Lambisia, Mike J. Mwanga, Nickson Murunga, Zaydah R. de Laurent, Clement S. Lewa, Martin Mutunga, Paul Kellam, Matthew Cotten, D. James Nokes, My Phan, Charles N. Agoti
Summary: The introduction of rotavirus vaccines into the national immunization programme in many countries has led to a decline in childhood diarrhoea disease burden. However, the incidence of some rotavirus group A (RVA) genotypes has increased, which may result from non-vaccine-type replacement. This study investigates the evolutionary genomics of rotavirus G2P[4] strains in Kenya after the introduction of the Rotarix vaccine.
Article
Immunology
Luke Nyakarahuka, Shannon Whitmer, Jackson Kyondo, Sophia Mulei, Caitlin M. Cossaboom, Carson T. Telford, Alex Tumusiime, Gloria Grace Akurut, Dianah Namanya, Kilama Kamugisha, Jimmy Baluku, Julius Lutwama, Stephen Balinandi, Trevor Shoemaker, John D. Klena
Summary: Two cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) were detected among refugees in a settlement in Kikuube district, Uganda. Further investigations revealed a high prevalence of CCHF IgG antibodies (71.3%) in goats within the settlement. This highlights the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to controlling CCHF in both humans and animals in Uganda.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Caitlin M. Cossaboom, Luke Nyakarahuka, Sophia Mulei, Jackson Kyondo, Alex Tumusiime, Jimmy Baluku, Gloria Grace Akurut, Dianah Namanya, Kilama Kamugisha, Hildah Tendo Nansikombi, Alex Nyabakira, Semei Mutesasira, Shannon Whitmer, Carson Telford, Julius Lutwama, Stephen Balinandi, Joel Montgomery, John D. Klena, Trevor Shoemaker
Summary: Seven confirmed Rift Valley fever cases, including one fatality, were reported in Kiruhura District, Uganda in 2021. Our findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance for viral hemorrhagic fevers, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
