Journal of medical virology
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To assess the practicability (usability and satisfaction) and analytical performances of the VitaPCR™ SARS-CoV-2 Assay (Credo Diagnostics Biomedical Pte. Ltd.), a rapid point-of-care nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), by reference to real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for respiratory viruses. The practicability of the VitaPCR™ Assay and Instrument was assessed from usability evaluation and a satisfaction questionnaire. ⋯ A total of 140 and 99 samples were positive and negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by rRT-PCR, respectively. In the event of significant viral load (i.e., N gene Ct values 33), the platform's analytical performances dropped significantly, with lower sensitivity, concordance, and accuracy, while its specificity remained high. The VitaPCR™ SARS-CoV-2 Assay is an accurate rapid point-of-care NAAT, suitable for clinical practice for the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19, especially in patients with COVID-19-suspected symptoms.
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Vaccine hesitancy poses serious challenges for achieving coverage for population immunity. It is necessary to achieve high COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rates and medical students' coverage as future health care providers. The study aimed to explore the level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and determine the factors and barriers that may affect vaccination decision-making. ⋯ The government, health authority decision-makers, medical experts, and universities in Egypt need to work together and make efforts to reduce hesitancy and raise awareness about vaccinations, consequently improving the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines.
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A significant proportion of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) require timely hospitalization to reduce the risk of complications and mortality. We describe the trends of the age and gender stratified outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe illness at the largest dedicated tertiary care COVID-19 government hospital in New Delhi, India. A retrospective cohort study through secondary data analysis from in-patient hospital data of patients admitted from April 1 to November 15, 2020 was conducted. ⋯ Mortality in the patients with COVID-19 also occurred early after admission suggesting rapid deterioration, delayed reporting by patients, or their late referral from other health facilities. However, the overall statewide recovery rate showed steady improvement since the onset of the pandemic. In contrast, the recovery rate among the moderate-severe cases that were hospitalized at this tertiary care center during the same period reflected a lower nonspecific zigzag pattern indicating limited effectiveness of the COVID-19 treatment regimens.
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The hologic panther fusion (PF) platform provides fully automated CE marked diagnostics for respiratory viruses, including the recently discovered severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by a transcription mediated amplification (TMA) assay, but not for the endemic human coronaviruses (hCoV). Therefore, a laboratory developed test (LDT) comprising a multiplexed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocol that detects and differentiates the four hCoV NL63, 229E, HKU1, and OC43 was adapted on the PF. The novel CE marked Aptima SARS-CoV-2 TMA and the LDT for hCoV were validated with 321 diagnostic specimens from the upper and lower respiratory tract in comparison to two SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCRs (PF E-gene RT-PCR and genesig RT-PCR, 157 specimens) or the R-GENE hCoV/hParaFlu RT-PCR (164 specimens), respectively. ⋯ The Aptima SARS-CoV-2 TMA gave 99.4% concordant results compared to the consensus results with a single specimen discordantly positive. Moreover, 36 samples from proficiency testing panels were detected and typed correctly by both novel methods. In conclusion, the SARS-CoV-2 TMA and the LDT for hCoV enhanced the diagnostic spectrum of the PF for all coronaviruses circulating globally for a multitude of diagnostic materials from the upper and lower respiratory tract.