Article
Virology
M. C. Connor, M. Copeland, T. Curran
Summary: This study evaluated the use of saliva, tongue swabs, and buccal swabs as alternative specimen types for SARS-CoV-2 detection. The results showed that saliva samples detected 85.3% of positive patients, tongue swabs detected 67.6% of positive patients, and buccal swabs detected 20.8% of positive patients compared to nasopharyngeal swabs. Therefore, using simple saliva collection can provide a less invasive and reliable alternative method for detecting SARS-CoV-2, particularly in patients where invasive sampling is difficult and regular repeat testing is required.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Alainna J. Jamal, Mohammad Mozafarihashjin, Eric Coomes, Jeff Powis, Angel X. Li, Aimee Paterson, Sofia Anceva-Sami, Shiva Barati, Gloria Crowl, Amna Faheem, Lubna Farooqi, Saman Khan, Karren Prost, Susan Poutanen, Maureen Taylor, Lily Yip, Xi Zoe Zhong, Allison J. McGeer, Samira Mubareka
Summary: A study of 91 inpatients with COVID-19 in Toronto, Canada, found that nasopharyngeal swabs had a sensitivity of 89% compared to saliva's 72% sensitivity when tested with real-time RT-PCR. The difference in sensitivity was more pronounced for sample pairs collected later in the course of the illness.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jianyu Lai, Jennifer German, Filbert Hong, S-H Sheldon Tai, Kathleen M. McPhaul, Donald K. Milton
Summary: Saliva is a suitable alternative to nasal swabs for detecting SARS-CoV-2, with similar rates of viral detection and higher sensitivity early in the infection. This suggests that saliva may be a superior and cost-effective screening tool for COVID-19.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Cedric Hartard, Sibel Berger, Thomas Josse, Evelyne Schvoerer, Helene Jeulin
Summary: The LIAISON(R) SARS-CoV-2 Ag test showed a specificity of 99.4% and a negative predictive value of 100% in asymptomatic individuals. It demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 84.8%, reaching 91.9% in the first four days after symptom onset. The test may be particularly useful for COVID-19 diagnosis, especially within the early symptom onset period.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ding Liu, Yunfu Zhang, Dongfeng Chen, Xianhua Wang, Fuling Huang, Ling Long, Xiuhui Zheng
Summary: The study found that there is a low possibility of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant transmission through the digestive tract and vaginal fluid. The correlation between gastrointestinal symptoms and the presence of viral RNA in anal swabs is uncertain.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Cody Callahan, Sarah Ditelberg, Sanjucta Dutta, Nancy Littlehale, Annie Cheng, Kristin Kupczewski, Danielle McVay, Stefan Riedel, James E. Kirby, Ramy Arnaout
Summary: This study compared saliva to NP swabs in an outpatient setting, showing that saliva has good concordance with NP swabs on high-sensitivity testing platforms and is easier for self-collection. Despite lower viral loads in saliva compared to NP specimens, saliva testing remains reliable for most outpatient individuals.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Virology
Florian Hitzenbichler, Stilla Bauernfeind, Bernd Salzberger, Barbara Schmidt, Juergen J. Wenzel
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic performance of throat washings (TW), nasopharyngeal swabs (NS) and oropharyngeal swabs (OS) in detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Nasopharyngeal swabs showed higher concentrations and diagnostic sensitivities, with significant concentration differences between NS and TW. Oropharyngeal swabs (OS) and throat washings (TW) can still be considered for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, albeit with slightly lower concentrations.
Article
Microbiology
Paolo Calistri, Maria Luisa Danzetta, Laura Amato, Francesca Cito, Alessandra Di Giuseppe, Valentina Zenobio, Daniela Morelli, Ilaria Puglia, Marialuigia Caporale, Silvia Scialabba, Giovanni Savini, Giacomo Migliorati, Nicola D'Alterio, Alessio Lorusso
Summary: The study conducted in the province of Teramo involving 132,357 naso-pharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs found that C-T N values can be used as an effective parameter to monitor viral loads in the population, showing a strong inverse correlation with the incidence of COVID-19 cases.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
HyunJin Kang, Sheilah Allison, Amber Spangenberg, Tara Carr, Ryan Sprissler, Marilyn Halonen, Darren A. Cusanovich
Summary: The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has prompted the scientific community to improve the scalability, cost, and efficiency of diagnostic testing. Swab-Seq is a new assay that combines next-generation sequencing with extraction-free sampling techniques to achieve high scalability, low cost, and quick results. Evaluation of this assay in a community surveillance setting showed that it is as clinically sensitive as the standard qRT-PCR assay, adaptable to different sample types, and capable of processing a large number of samples at once.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kasper Daugaard Larsen, Mads Mose Jensen, Anne-Sophie Homoe, Elisabeth Arndal, Grethe Badsberg Samuelsen, Anders Koch, Xiaohui Chen Nielsen, Preben Homoe, Tobias Todsen
Summary: Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) are considered the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 testing, but alternative specimens such as oropharyngeal swabs (OPS) and nasal swabs may be preferable. However, there is still a lack of strong evidence regarding their diagnostic sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 testing.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hermann Laferl, Tamara Seitz, Sebastian Baier-Grabner, Hasan Kelani, Elisabeth Scholz, Florian Heger, Florian Goetzinger, Prof Thomas Frischer, Christoph Wenisch, Prof Franz Allerberger
Summary: Mouthwash can be used as an alternative collection method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 when nasopharyngeal swabs are not feasible. Buccal swabs are not recommended due to their low sensitivity.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Francesco Aiello, Marco Ciotti, Gabriele Gallo Afflitto, Maria Cristina Rapanotti, Bartolo Caggiano, Michele Treglia, Sandro Grelli, Sergio Bernardini, Silvestro Mauriello, Carlo Nucci, Luigi Tonino Marsella, Raffaele Mancino
Summary: The study showed that SARS-CoV-2 cannot contaminate post-mortem corneal epithelium, but can persist in other structures of the ocular surface, implying possible contamination ante-mortem.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Virology
Michael Laue, Tobias Hoffmann, Janine Michel, Andreas Nitsche
Summary: In this study, a new method was used to visualize and analyze the ultrastructure of coronavirus particles and infected host cells in patient swab samples. The results showed that SARS-CoV-2 particles could be detected in the upper airways of patients and within host cells, providing important insights into the pathogenicity of the virus.
Article
Environmental Sciences
F. Di Maria, G. La Rosa, T. Bonato, A. Pivato, R. Piazza, P. Mancini, G. Bonanno Ferraro, C. Veneri, M. Iaconelli, E. Beccaloni, F. Scaini, L. Bonadonna, T. Vicenza, E. Suffredini
Summary: In this study, an alternative approach called solid waste-based surveillance (SWBS) was explored to investigate SARS-CoV-2 infection in small communities by sampling saliva left on waste. The findings confirmed the effectiveness of SWBS for non-invasive and dynamic SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, with two positive samples containing known amino acid substitutions found in SARS-CoV-2 sequences circulating in Italy.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Meiyan Li, Ruoyan Wei, Yaling Yang, Taiwen He, Yinzhong Shen, Tangkai Qi, Tian Han, Zhigang Song, Zhaoqin Zhu, Xiaopeng Ma, Yixiao Lin, Yasheng Yuan, Keqing Zhao, Hongzhou Lu, Xingtao Zhou
Summary: Research on 30 COVID-19 patients found that respiratory swabs collected from the nasal vestibule offer a less invasive alternative for specimen collection in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection, and have adequate sensitivity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Byron Freire-Paspuel, Patricio Vega-Marino, Alberto Velez, Marilyn Cruz, Franklin Perez, Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
Summary: The Viasure RT-qPCR kit showed a sensitivity of 91.9% and a specificity of 100% for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, with a limitation of lacking an RNA quality control probe. Improving an alternative RT-qPCR reaction for RNA extraction quality control, such as RNaseP, is recommended to enhance the diagnostic performance of the Viasure kit.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Byron Freire-Paspuel, Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
Summary: The study evaluated the clinical performance of two Chinese SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR kits in the South American market, demonstrating excellent sensitivity values and analytical sensitivity for both kits, endorsing their use for COVID-19 diagnosis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Esteban Ortiz-Prado, Aquiles R. Henriquez-Trujillo, Ismar A. Rivera-Olivero, Byron Freire-Paspuel, Alexander Paolo Vallejo-Janeta, Tannya Lozada, Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
Summary: Rural communities in Latin America are vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks, with a high SARS-CoV-2 infection rate of 23.7% in Manabi Province, Ecuador. Immediate action is needed to address this situation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Byron Freire-Paspuel, Alfredo Bruno, Alberto Orlando, Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
Summary: There are numerous RT-qPCR kits available for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis in the market, with significant differences in clinical performance and sensitivity between two commercially available kits evaluated in South America. It is recommended that only SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic kits with clinical authorization from their country of origin be exported to developing countries lacking proper evaluation agencies to prevent the impact of unreliable diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Correction
Virology
Byron Freire-Paspuel, Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
Article
Infectious Diseases
Esteban Ortiz-Prado, Ismar A. Rivera-Olivero, Byron Freire-Paspuel, Rachel Lowe, Tannya Lozada, Aquiles R. Henriquez-Trujillo, Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
Summary: Voluntary collective isolation was proposed as the best response for indigenous populations facing COVID-19, but empirical evidence is needed to support its feasibility. Experience during SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in Waorani communities showed that self-isolation strategies failed to contain the spread of the virus to remote areas, highlighting the need for more effective control measures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maria Belen Rodriguez-Paredes, Paolo Alexander Vallejo-Janeta, Diana Morales-Jadan, Byron Freire-Paspuel, Esteban Ortiz-Prado, Aquiles R. Henriquez-Trujillo, Ismar A. Rivera-Olivero, Tatiana Jaramillo, Tannya Lozada, Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
Summary: Neglected rural communities in Latin America are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to poor healthcare infrastructure and limited access to SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. A retrospective analysis of a massive SARS-CoV-2 testing operation in Manabi, Ecuador, revealed high community transmission and the importance of testing asymptomatic individuals for COVID-19 control and surveillance.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ricardo David Avellan-Llaguno, Xu Zhang, Peiqiang Zhao, Alberto Velez, Marilyn Cruz, Jun Kikuchi, Sijun Dong, Qiansheng Huang
Summary: This study investigated the interaction of nanoplastics and engineered nanoparticles with organic matter and environmental pollutants under different salinity conditions. The results showed that morphology, size, and surface chemical modification play a significant role in the interaction of nanoparticles with proteins.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Byron Freire-Paspuel, Diana Morales-Jadan, Marlon Zambrano-Mila, Franklin Perez, Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
Summary: This study evaluated the clinical performance of two SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR kits designed and produced in South America, and found that they exhibited excellent sensitivity, specificity, and detection limits. These locally produced kits have been widely used in Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Ecuador, contributing to overcoming supply shortages and reducing diagnosis costs.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marlon Steven Zambrano-Mila, Byron Freire-Paspuel, Solon Alberto Orlando, Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
Summary: This study reports the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in free roaming dogs in the rural indigenous communities of the Ecuadorian Amazonia. The study found a high infection rate of 87.2% within the community, with a significant number of individuals having an ultra high viral load. The findings raise concerns about potential transmission of the virus to wild mammals and highlight the need for further surveillance and research on the role of domestic animals in the spread of COVID-19.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Camila Farinango, Jennifer Gallardo-Condor, Byron Freire-Paspuel, Rodrigo Flores-Espinoza, Gabriela Jaramillo-Koupermann, Andres Lopez-Cortes, German Burgos, Eduardo Tejera, Alejandro Cabrera-Andrade
Summary: The genetic variability in the DPYD gene is related to the genetic component of ancestral populations in different Ecuadorian ethnic groups.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain, Franklin Perez, Henry Parra-Vera, Alfredo Bruno, Byron Freire-Paspuel, Diana Morales-Jadan, Bernardo Castro-Rodriguez, Ismar Rivera-Olivero, Tannya Lozada, Solon Alberto Orlando, Esteban Ortiz-Prado
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sarah Rhea, Blanca E. Camacho, Carrisa W. Amoriello, Maria Correa, Gregory A. Lewbart, Marilyn Cruz, Alberto Velez, Paulina Castillo, Monique Pairis-Garcia
Summary: In the Galapagos Islands, food animal agriculture is driven by smallholder farms and plays a critical role in food safety and security. Assessments of animal welfare conditions on farms located on Floreana Island identified opportunities for improvement in animal health management and timely euthanasia. Efforts to positively impact smallholder farm livelihoods in the Galapagos Islands will sustainably support animal welfare, environmental health, and food safety.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Diana Morales-Jadan, Alexander Paolo Vallejo-Janeta, Vanessa Bastidas, Maria Belen Paredes-Espinosa, Byron Freire-Paspuel, Ismar Rivera-Olivero, Esteban Ortiz-Prado, Aquiles Rodrigo Henriquez-Trujillo, Tannya Lozada, Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
Summary: Neglected indigenous groups and underserved rural populations in Latin America are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to poor health infrastructure and limited access to SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. This study analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 testing in community-dwelling populations from four provinces in the Ecuadorian Andes and found a high infection rate of 26.2%, indicating the early community transmission in rural communities.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Esteban Ortiz-Prado, Felipe Andrade, Eduardo Vasconez, Cristina Escobar-Espinosa, Alexander Paolo Vallejo-Janeta, Byron Freire-Paspuel, Barbara Coronel, Heberson Galvis, Diana Morales-Jadan, Ismar A. Rivera-Olivero, Tannya Lozada, Aquiles R. Henriquez-Trujillo, Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
Summary: Within the special forces police officers in Quito, Ecuador, a high infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 was found, with a percentage of potential super spreaders. The majority of the infected individuals were asymptomatic, highlighting the importance of regular testing for all asymptomatic essential workers.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
