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Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for rapid and accurate diagnostic tools for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) have transformed URTI diagnostics by enabling the rapid detection of multiple pathogens simultaneously, thereby improving patient management and infection control. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the LabTurbo QuadAIO Common Flu Assay compared to that of the Xpert Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV Plus Assay for detecting SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, Influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Methods: A retrospective diagnostic accuracy study was conducted using nasopharyngeal samples from patients. Samples were tested using the LabTurbo QuadAIO Common Flu Assay and the comparator Xpert Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV Plus Assay. Positive and negative percent agreements (PPA and NPA) were calculated. Results: The LabTurbo Assay demonstrated a PPA of 100% and an NPA of 100% for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, and Influenza B, whereas it showed a PPA of 100% and an NPA of 98.3% for RSV. Conclusions: The LabTurbo QuadAIO Assay exhibited high diagnostic accuracy for detecting multiple respiratory pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, Influenza B, and RSV. Despite the slight discrepancy in the NPA for RSV, the overall performance of the LabTurbo Assay supports its integration into routine diagnostic workflows to enhance patient management and infection control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) urinary tract infections pose a significant challenge in Taiwan. The significance of this issue arises because of the growing concerns about the antibiotic resistance of K. pneumoniae. Therefore, this study aimed to uncover potential genomic risk factors in Taiwanese patients with K. pneumoniae urinary tract infections through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Methods: Genotyping data are obtained from participants with a history of urinary tract infections enrolled at the Tri-Service General Hospital as part of the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI). A case-control study employing GWAS is designed to detect potential susceptibility single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in patients with K. pneumoniae-related urinary tract infections. The associated genes are determined using a genome browser, and their expression profiles are validated via the GTEx database. The GO, Reactome, DisGeNET, and MalaCards databases are also consulted to determine further connections between biological functions, molecular pathways, and associated diseases between these genes. Results: The results identified 11 genetic variants with higher odds ratios compared to controls. These variants are implicated in processes such as adhesion, protein depolymerization, Ca2+-activated potassium channels, SUMOylation, and protein ubiquitination, which could potentially influence the host immune response. Conclusions: This study implies that certain risk variants may be linked to K. pneumoniae infections by affecting diverse molecular functions that can potentially impact host immunity. Additional research and follow-up studies are necessary to elucidate the influence of these risk variants on infectious diseases and develop targeted interventions for mitigating the spread of K. pneumoniae urinary tract infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 has precipitated a new global wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection is imperative for the effective mitigation of transmission. Diagnostic modalities such as rapid antigen testing and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) offer expedient turnaround times of 10–15 min and straightforward implementation. This preliminary study assessed the correlation between outcomes of commercially available rapid antigen tests for home use and conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays using a limited set of clinical specimens. Patients aged 5–99 years presenting to the emergency department for SARS-CoV-2 testing were eligible for enrollment (n = 5652). Direct PCR and conventional RT-PCR were utilized for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The entire cohort of 5652 clinical specimens was assessed by both modalities to determine the clinical utility of the direct RT-PCR assay. Timely confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection may attenuate viral propagation and guide therapeutic interventions. Additionally, direct RT-PCR as a secondary confirmatory test for at-home rapid antigen test results demonstrated sensitivity comparable to conventional RT-PCR, indicating utility for implementation in laboratories globally, especially in resource-limited settings with constraints on reagents, equipment, and skilled personnel. In summary, direct RT-PCR enables the detection of SARS-CoV-2 with a sensitivity approaching that of conventional RT-PCR while offering expedient throughput and shorter turnaround times. Moreover, direct RT-PCR provides an open-source option for diagnostic laboratories worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]