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Background Perinatal transmission is the major mode of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission and drives HBV endemicity in the US territory of Guam. We assessed correlates of prenatal hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening and HBsAg positivity among pregnant women and evaluated the care of infants of HBsAg-positive women. Methods Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from the maternal medical records of 966 randomly selected live infants born in 2014. Frequencies were calculated, and prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Poisson regression. Results Among the mothers of the 966 infants, 78.2% were Pacific Islanders, 56.9% were >25 years old (born before universal infant hepatitis B vaccination in Guam), 89.0% received prenatal care (PNC), 96.7% underwent prenatal HBsAg screening, and 2.0% were HBsAg positive. Approximately 15% of the women who did not have PNC were not screened for HBsAg. Receipt of PNC was associated with HBsAg screening (adjusted PR, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.04–1.23]), and HBsAg positivity was associated with a maternal age of >25 years (adjusted PR, 6.80 [95% CI, 1.32–35.08]). All 18 infants of the HBsAg-positive mothers received hepatitis B vaccine, and 17 (94.4%) received hepatitis B immunoglobulin. Conclusion Although the prenatal HBsAg screening prevalence in this sample was high, the maternal HBsAg prevalence among women in this sample was more than 14 times and 2 times the prevalence among US-born Pacific Islander/Asian women and all women in the continental United States, respectively. Improving access to PNC, ensuring that all pregnant women in Guam (especially those born before universal hepatitis B vaccination) are screened for HBsAg, and adopting postexposure prophylaxis for infants of HBsAg-positive mothers as standard clinical practice are important for preventing perinatal HBV transmission and reducing HBV endemicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the United States, blood donor testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was initiated in the early 1970s. More recently, testing for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA have been added. The incidence of hepatitis B has been declining. This study reviews the current status of testing and questions the need for continuation of HBsAg testing.Study Design and Methods: From July 2011 to June 2015, a total of 22.4 million donations were serologically tested for HBsAg and anti-HBc and for HBV-DNA by nucleic acid testing (NAT). All reactive results were evaluated and a subset of donations that were either potential NAT yield (seronegative) or serologically positive but nonreactive by HBV NAT in minipools (MPs) of 16 were further evaluated by individual donation (ID)-NAT. Samples with detectable HBV DNA were defined as actively infected and considered potentially infectious.Results: Routine testing plus supplemental ID-NAT identified 2035 samples representing active infection including 1965 with anti-HBc, 1602 with HBsAg, and 1453 with HBV DNA by MP-NAT, for respective rates per hundred-thousand donations of 9.10, 8.78, 7.16, and 6.50, continuing the downward trend previously observed. There were 29 HBV DNA-yield samples (1:771,389), 35 HBsAg-yield samples (anti-HBc nonreactive), and 404 with occult hepatitis B infection. There were six samples with HBsAg and HBV DNA detectable only by ID-NAT in the absence of anti-HBc; additional testing was consistent with extremely low or negligible levels of DNA.Conclusions: Point estimates of HBV infection rates among blood donors continue to decline, as do those for incidence and residual risk. Elimination of HBsAg screening would have negligible impact, with a risk less than 1 per 4 million donations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among an estimated 850,000 to 2.2 million persons with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the United States, 70% are non-U.S.-born (1,2). All patients require linkage to care, and approximately 20%-40% require antiviral treatment (3). Without treatment, one in four persons chronically infected with HBV will die prematurely from liver failure, liver cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma (4). To mitigate morbidity and mortality, CDC funded a cooperative agreement to develop hepatitis B testing and linkage-to-care programs serving non-U.S.-born persons during October 2014-September 2017. This report describes each program's operational services and partnerships with primary care centers, community-based organizations, and public health departments to recruit non-U.S.-born persons for HBV testing using the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and link those whose test results were positive to HBV-directed care (medical visit attendance with monitoring of HBV DNA and liver enzyme tests). Among 10,152 program participants, 757 (7.5%) were HBsAg-positive, indicative of chronic HBV infection; among these, 643 (85%) attended ≥1 medical visit, 587 (78%) received HBV-directed care, and 137 (18%) were prescribed antiviral treatment. Among 273 household contacts of HBsAg-positive persons, 39 (14%) had positive test results for HBsAg. Prevalence of current HBV infection was high in this non-U.S.-born population and among household and sexual contacts of HBV-infected persons. HBV testing and linkage to care can be achieved through partnerships with community organizations, health centers, and public health departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the United States, the seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has traditionally been defined on the basis of weeks during which antigen-based tests detect RSV in >10% of specimens (hereafter, the "10% threshold"). Because molecular testing has become more widely used, we explored the extent of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based RSV testing and its impact on determining the seasonality of RSV.Methods: We assessed antigen- and PCR-based RSV reports submitted to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System during July 2005-June 2015. To characterize RSV seasons by using PCR-based reports, we assessed the traditional 10% threshold; subsequently, we developed 3 methods based on either PCR-based detections or the percentage of positive test results.Results: The annual number of PCR-based reports increased 200-fold during 2005-2015, while the annual number of antigen-based reports declined. The weekly percentage of specimens positive for RSV by PCR was less than that for antigen-detection tests; accordingly, the 10% threshold excluded detections by PCR and so was imprecise for characterizing RSV seasons. Among our PCR-specific approaches, the most sensitive and consistent method captured 96%-98% of annual detections within a season, compared with 82%-94% captured using the traditional method.Conclusions: PCR-based reports are increasingly relevant for RSV surveillance and determining the seasonality of RSV. These PCR-specific methods provide a more comprehensive understanding of RSV trends, particularly in settings where testing and reporting are most active. Diagnostic practices will vary by locality and should be understood before choosing which method to apply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on extensive screening in the U.S. for prostate cancer with prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The article provides information on effective division of medical community and European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), deaths from prostate cancer, and screening phase.

Assiduous measures are taken to prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus ( HBV) to infants; it is unclear whether the mothers receive appropriate care for their chronic HBV. We sought to assess the quality of HBV care in hepatitis B surface antigen ( HBsAg)-positive mothers following pregnancy. HBsAg-positive women ( n = 243) who had sought prenatal care at Massachusetts General Hospital were retrospectively identified and charts reviewed. The primary outcome was adherence to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases ( AASLD) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines. Over one-third (37%) of women were first diagnosed with HBV infection at a prenatal visit. One-third (32%) did not undergo timely liver function test measurements. HBV DNA was never measured in 26% and was untimely in 34% of patients. One-third (34%) of the women were at high-risk for HCC based on AASLD criteria, yet only 33% of these women underwent timely imaging. Nearly half (49%) never saw a liver specialist for their HBV care. In multivariate analysis, women were 3.7 times more likely to have a timely ALT and 8.1 times more likely to have a timely HBV DNA if they were followed by a liver specialist ( P = 0.001, <0.001). We demonstrate remarkably inadequate and discontinuous HBV care for chronically infected mothers following pregnancy. As HBV infection is already being identified prenatally, quality improvement measures encompassing obstetricians, primary care providers and hepatologists are needed to ensure that HBV-infected women are linked to care postpregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Norovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Noroviruses bind to gut histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), but only 70%-80% of individuals have a functional copy of the FUT2 ("secretor") gene required for gut HBGA expression; these individuals are known as "secretors." Susceptibility to some noroviruses depends on FUT2 secretor status, but the population impact of this association is not established. Methods. From December 2011 to November 2012, active AGE surveillance was performed at 6 geographically diverse pediatric sites in the United States. Case patients aged <5 years were recruited from emergency departments and inpatient units; age-matched healthy controls were recruited at well-child visits. Salivary DNA was collected to determine secretor status and genetic ancestry. Stool was tested for norovirus by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Norovirus genotype was then determined by sequencing. Results. Norovirus was detected in 302 of 1465 (21%) AGE cases and 52 of 826 (6%) healthy controls. Norovirus AGE cases were 2.8-fold more likely than norovirus-negative controls to be secretors (P < .001) in a logistic regression model adjusted for ancestry, age, site, and health insurance. Secretors comprised all 155 cases and 21 asymptomatic infections with the most prevalent norovirus, GII.4. Control children of Meso-American ancestry were more likely than children of European or African ancestry to be secretors (96% vs 74%; P < .001). Conclusions. FUT2 status is associated with norovirus infection and varies by ancestry. GII.4 norovirus exclusively infected secretors. These findings are important to norovirus vaccine trials and design of agents that may block norovirus-HBGA binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to screen for the presence of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) among Sudanese patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC). Methods: In this study, 150 tissue samples that were previously diagnosed as having NPC were screened for the presence of EBV using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR was performed to amplify two viral genes; EBV nuclear antigen-4 (EBNA-4) and latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1). Results: EBV genes were detected in 92/150 (61.3%) tissue samples. Of the 92 infected samples, 58/92 (63%) were found among males and 34/92 (37%) were among females. Conclusion: EBV is prevalent in the Sudan and responsible of the vast majority of cases of NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In countries of Western Europe and the United States, prostate cancer (PC) is the most diagnosed cancer nonepitelial of man, representing 25% of cases of cancer diagnosed "de novo" in men and 9% of the cases of death by cancer. Introduction of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) as a method of screening, in 1988, changed radically the epidemiology of CP by progressive increase in the number of cases of CP diagnosed in "early stages". European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) has been found to decrease by about 20% of mortality due to CP using PSA as a screening test to 162 000 men asymptomatic with ages ranging between 55 and 69 years. In the Clinic of Urology Clinical Hospital "Prof. Dr. Th. Burghele", the incidence of CP compared to other cancers places it in second place after bladder cancer and before renal malignant tumors. The principal means of diagnosis of CP are: rectal examination, the level of prostatic specific antigen seric, transrectal echography and prostate biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the accuracy of biomarker tests for cancer. It states that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved blood test for a marker called prostate specific antigen (PSA), a protein leaked by damage prostate cell. However, PSA tests found that most men with common prostate inflammation also score high for PSA which provide false positives for the detection of cancer. It notes that the FDA approved the PSA blood test for spotting the recurrence of prostate cancer.

Background. Although the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*5701 is highly associated with a hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) to abacavir (ABC), variable sensitivities have been reported when clinical data alone have been used to define an ABC HSR. This study evaluated the sensitivity of detection of the HLA-B*5701 allele as a marker of ABC HSRs in both white and black patients, using skin patch testing to supplement clinical diagnosis. Methods. White and black patients, identified through chart review, were classified as having received a diagnosis of an ABC HSR based on clinical findings only (a clinically suspected ABC HSR) or based on clinical findings and a positive skin patch test result (an immunologically confirmed [IC] ABC HSR). Control subjects were racially matched subjects who tolerated ABC for ⩾12 weeks without experiencing an ABC HSR. Patients and control subjects were tested for the presence of HLA-B*5701. Sensitivity, specificity, and odds ratios for the detection of HLA-B*5701 as a marker for an ABC HSR were calculated for white and black participants. Results. Forty-two (32.3%) of 130 white patients and 5 (7.2%) of 69 black patients who met the criteria for clinically suspected HSRs had IC HSRs. All 42 white patients with IC HSRs were HLA-B*5701 positive (sensitivity, 100%; odds ratio, 1945; 95% confidence interval, 110-34,352). Among all white patients with clinically suspected HSRs, sensitivity was 44% (57 of 130 patients tested positive for HLA-B*5701); specificity among white control subjects was 96%. Five of 5 black patients with IC HSRs were HLA-B*5701 positive (sensitivity, 100%; odds ratio, 900; 95% confidence interval, 38-21,045). Among black patients with clinically suspected HSRs, the sensitivity was 14% (10 of 69 tested positive for HLA-B*5701); specificity among black control subjects was 99%. Conclusions. Although IC ABC HSRs are uncommon in black persons, the 100% sensitivity of HLA-B*5701 as a marker for IC ABC HSRs in both US white and black patients suggests similar implications of the association between HLA-B*5701 positivity and risk of ABC HSRs in both races. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cryptococcal meningitis is an opportunistic fungal infection associated with HIV and other forms of immunosuppression. We lack a clear understanding of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) among HIV-negative patients in the United States. Our aim was to compare clinical features and outcomes across HIV status in patients with laboratory-confirmed cryptococcal meningitis. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with laboratory-confirmed (positive culture or antigen test) cryptococcal disease treated at a tertiary care center from January 2000 to September 2018. Patients were identified via local laboratory and TrinetX datasets. Data were gathered on demographics, HIV status, site of infection, clinical presentation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profiles, hospital course, and mortality. Organ transplant recipients and/or non-meningeal infections were excluded. Results Seventy patients with cryptococcal disease were identified. Our final sample included 36 CM patients with a mean age of 48.8 ± 13.2 years; 66.7% (n = 24) had HIV. Median (IQR) absolute CD4 count for the HIV group was 35/μL (10–80/μL). Non-HIV patients were significantly older (P < 0.001) and had higher rates of altered mental status (AMS) on presentation (58.3% vs. 25%, P = 0.05). There was no significant variation in temperature, blood pressure, white blood cell count, serum sodium, or CSF opening pressure. Non-HIV patients had significantly higher CSF cell count (P = 0.02) and protein (P < 0.001), and lower glucose (P = 0.005) compared with HIV patients. There was no significant variation in length of stay or rates of intensive care unit admission. Overall, 90-day all-cause mortality was 19.4%: mortality rates were significantly higher in non-HIV patients at both 90 days (P = 0.017) and one year (P = 0.047). Conclusion Compared with individuals with HIV, non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis patients have a more inflammatory CSF profile at the time of diagnosis, higher rates of AMS on presentation, and higher rates of 90-day and 1-year all-cause mortality. We postulate that reversible immunosuppression among HIV patients may partially explain these findings. Further research is needed to identify hallmarks of cryptococcal meningitis in non-HIV patients to facilitate early intervention. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To characterize the epidemiology and prognostic factors of invasive fusariosis in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, the records of HSCT recipients from 9 hospitals (7 in Brazil and 2 in the United States) were retrospectively reviewed. Sixty-one cases were identified: 54 in allogeneic HSCT recipients and 7 in autologous HSCT recipients. The incidence of fusariosis among allogeneic HSCT recipients varied between a range of 4.21-5.0 cases per 1000 in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related transplant recipients to 20.19 cases per 1000 in HLA-mismatched transplant recipients. The median time period between trans- plantation and diagnosis of fusariosis was 48 days. Among allogeneic HSCT recipients, a trimodal distribution was observed: a first peak before engraftment, a second peak at a median of 62 days after transplantation, and a third peak >1 year after transplantation. The actuarial survival was 13% (median, 13 days). Persistent neutropenia was the single prognostic factor for death identified by multivariate analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objectives: While controversial, the use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing is common and may reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with prostate cancer. The use of age-specific reference ranges (ASRRs) has been suggested to increase the sensitivity of the PSA test in younger men. The objective of this study was to determine the normal age-specific reference ranges for a large group of clinically cancer-free men and to compare these findings with similar studies. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of PSA values was conducted on 1199 students from the National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, DC, who were matriculating between 1994 and July 1999. The AsXYM system using MEIA technology with monoclonal antibodies from Abbott laboratories was used to determine the PSA values. The mean, median, 95th percentile, 99th percentile, and range were calculated for each decade. Results: A total of 1123 students between the ages of 30 and 59 were included in the study (1105 with PSA levels ≤ 4.0 ng/ml). The largest number of students (67.4%) fell in the 40–49-year-old group. The median PSA level was 0.74 ng/ml. There was a significant correlation between age and PSA level for the 40–59-year-old age group (r = 0.06, p = 0.044). There was no significant correlation between age and PSA for the 40–49-year-old age group (r = 0.048, p = 0.192). The median PSA value and the 95th percentile increased from 0.7 and 2.3, respectively, in the 40–49-year-old age group to 0.8 and 2.7, respectively, in the 50–59-year-old age group. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that PSA values in young men are quite low. The 95th percentile of PSA levels for men in their 40s and 50s was 2.3 and 2.7 ng/ml, respectively, which is significantly lower than the traditional normal value of 4.0 ng/ml. Although further prospective studies are needed, our data suggest that a lower PSA value threshold of... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new indirect ELISA was developed that can be used to detect anti-PHEV antibodies. • Soluble antigen can be produced within one week from PHEV-infected cells. • The PHEV–ELISA detects anti-PHEV antibodies with high sensitivity and specificity. • The PHEV–ELISA may be an effective replacement for the VN test. Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV) is a member of the genus Betacoronavirus and is the etiologic agent of encephalomyelitis or vomiting and wasting disease in neonatal pigs. Although there are only a few epidemiological studies that document the seroprevalence of PHEV infection, there are reports of sporadic outbreaks, including recent documentation of an influenza-like respiratory disease associated with PHEV in the United States. To address this issue, we have developed a new indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for use in sero-epidemiological research of PHEV infection. One hundred and fifty porcine serum samples that were determined as antibody-positive or antibody-negative in virus neutralization (VN) tests were used in conjunction with PHEV-specific antigen extracted from virus-infected FS-L3 cells using RBS buffer containing 0.2 % NP-40 to develop this assay. The ELISA showed a high sensitivity (95.35 %) and specificity (96.88 %) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.996 attesting to its accuracy. Our results revealed a strong correlation between the results of the indirect ELISA and VN test (R = 0.850, P < 0.05), with near-perfect agreement (kappa value = 0.932). These results indicate that this new indirect ELISA might be useful for diagnosis and sero-epidemiological tracking of PHEV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors comment on the draft recommendation released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on screening for prostate cancer, which has been opened for public comment until November 8, 2011. They say that they have a different perspective on the question of benefit although they agree with the synthesis of evidence and conclusions regarding the substantial harms. They also discuss the suggestions of the USPSTF for practice in the case of a grade C recommendation.

This article discusses the debate on the use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for the early detection and treatment of prostate cancer in the U.S. It attributes the failure of the adoption of PSA testing to criticism that it is an imperfect screening tool because it does not differentiate tumors from ones that would not cause harm. The concern over overdiagnosis and overtreatment caused by PSA testing is noted. It also discusses the move of other critics to defend the use of PSA testing, insisting its effectiveness in detecting prostate cancer and preventing mortality from the disease.

The Platelia Aspergillus assay tested positive in 8 of 11 patients with disseminated histoplasmosis. While other available methods for diagnosis have several drawbacks, this cross-reactivity is particularly valuable in the perspective of practitioners outside the USA who cannot use the test detecting antigen of Histoplasma capsulatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diffusion of early detection of prostate cancer with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and subsequent aggressive treatment for the cancers discovered, in the absence of randomized trials documenting such screening efforts do more good than harm, has been nothing short of remarkable in the United States. The decade of the 1990s in this country might appropriately be referred to as the "PSA era." The medical and social reasons for the success of this strategy are complex. They include a captivating pathophysiologic rationale, "proof of concept" that early detection saves lives with screening for breast cancer in women, economic incentives for physicians and industries involved with testing and treatment, medicolegal concerns relating to failure to diagnose prostate cancer, positive feedback from grateful patients who feel reassured based on their test results, and even stronger positive feedback from prostate cancer survivors who are sure they have "beaten cancer" as a result of early detection--many of whom would never have even known they had prostate cancer in the "pre-PSA" era. Even the U.S. Postal Service has gotten into the business of screening recommendations in this area with a 1999 postage stamp urging "Annual Check-Ups and Tests" for prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended screening pregnant women from high-risk populations for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). To assess the adequacy of the risk criteria, all women presenting for delivery to a large municipal hospital were screened. Sera from 5356 women were tested, and questionnaires designed to identify women at high risk were completed by 78% of these patients. Sixty-four women were found to be HBsAg seropositive (1.2%). If the CDC criteria had been applied for screening, 30 of the seropositive mothers (47%) would not have been identified. Women from some Latin American and Caribbean countries not recommended for screening were found to have a relatively high prevalence of hepatitis B infection. Reluctance to give a history of venereal disease or illicit drug use may be another factor in the failure of the CDC screening strategy. To achieve effective immunoprophylaxis of newborns, all pregnant women should be screened for HBsAg carriage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors present their thoughts on "Ovarian Cancers: Evolving Paradigms in Research and Care," a report from the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that explores gaps in the evidence base of ovarian cancer research. They discuss the need for expanded screening and prevention research, stating that treatments should be standardized and disseminated.

The article discusses the debate about the efficacy of prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer. It makes reference to recommendation against PSA screening published by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) to which the American Urological Association (AUA) allegedly expressed its strong disagreement. The authors discusses ways for smarter PSA screening rather than abandon the testing based on USPSTF message.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) represents the eighth most common cancer among women and the second most frequently diagnosed gynecological malignancy in the United States and Europe. Correct and fast referral of patients with OC is mandatory to ensure optimal treatment and to improve the prognosis of patients with OC. Approaches to detect OC may be based on a gynecological examination, an elevated serum CA125 level, a Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) higher than 200, an elevated serum HE4 level, or other modalities such as Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA), Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm (ROCA), or Copenhagen Index (CPH-I).Aim: To describe biomarkers that potentially improve the detection/risk estimation of OC.Results: The ability to differentiate OC from benign and borderline ovarian tumors was analyzed using Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves resulting in Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.920 for CA125, 0.933 for HE4 and 0.946 for ROMA. The ROC curves of OC versus benign ovarian tumors shows that the CPH-I (AUC = 0.959) is equivalent with RMI (AUC = 0.958).Conclusion: Both ROMA and CPH-I could potentially shorten the time spent before OC patients reach a tertiary center thereby improve risk estimation/diagnosis. Biomarker research still has to be performed in relevant clinical settings before any overall decisions can be made with respect to screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the ability of direct fluorescent antigen (DFA) influenza tests to identify novel H1N1 influenza virus. DFA results were compared with polymerase chain reaction results. The negative predictive value of DFA testing was at least 96%. Therefore, when performed on specimens of adequate quality, DFA tests can effectively rule out infection due to novel H1N1 virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research being done on the American Academy of Pediatric diagnostic standard for Streptococcus pyogenes pharyngitis. It references a study by K. E. Gieseker and colleagues, published in a 2003 issue of "Pediatrics." A prospective cohort study was carried out that involved 891 children presenting to a large pediatric practice who were suspected of having S. pyogenes pharyngitis. The researchers determined the sensitivity and specificity of four testing strategies. These were the single rapid antigen test performed in office, single rapid antigen test performed in laboratory, result of either rapid antigen test and single rapid antigen test in office plus culture.

Reports on the number of men receiving prostate cancer exams in Texas as of November, 2000. Addition of questions to the 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to determine the number of men receiving prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in Texas; Results of the report, which show an association between men who receive the PSA test and a doctor's recommendation.

Comments on an article on prenatal screening of pregnant mothers for hepatitis B in the U.S., published in the 'Journal of the American Medical Association' in 1988. Recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention; Availability of laboratory diagnostic services.

The article discusses a report by the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, which found that many men in the U.S. have been overdiagnosed with prostate cancer as a result of prostate antigen screening (PSA). The study reports that since PSA testing emerged, over 1 million men have been treated for prostate cancer, sometimes unnecessarily. Also mentioned as a reason for overdiagnosis are early-detection campaigns.