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Introduction Measles is a severe, vaccine-preventable disease that causes extensive morbidity and mortality in large parts of the world. Despite the widespread use of measles vaccine, either as a single [...], Objective To evaluate the performance of a newly developed point-of-care test (POCT) for the detection of measles- specific IgM antibodies in serum and oral fluid specimens and to assess if measles virus nucleic acid could be recovered from used POCT strips. Methods The POCT was used to test 170 serum specimens collected through measles surveillance or vaccination programmes in Ethiopia, Malaysia and the Russian Federation: 69 were positive for measles immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, 74 were positive for rubella IgM antibodies and 7 were positive for both. Also tested were 282 oral fluid specimens from the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) surveillance programme of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Microimmune measles IgM capture enzyme immunoassay was the gold standard for comparison. A panel of 24 oral fluids was used to investigate if measles virus haemagglutinin (H) and nucleocapsid (N) genes could be amplified by polymerase chain reaction directly from used POCT strips. Findings With serum POCT showed a sensitivity and specificity of 90.8% (69/76) and 93.6% (88/94), respectively; with oral fluids, sensitivity and specificity were 90.0% (63/70) and 96.2% (200/208), respectively. Both H and N genes were reliably detected in POCT strips and the N genes could be sequenced for genotyping. Measles virus genes could be recovered from POCT strips after storage for 5 weeks at 20-25°C. Conclusion The POCT has the sensitivity and specificity required of a field-based test for measles diagnosis. However, its role in global measles control programmes requires further evaluation. Objectif Evaluer la performance d'un test sur le lieu de soin (POCT-Point-of-care testing) recemment developpe, pour la detection d'anticorps IgM, caracteristiques de la rougeole, dans les echantillons de fluides seriques et oraux et evaluer si l'acide nucleique viral de la rougeole peut etre recupere sur les bandelettes POCT utilisees. Methodes Le POCT a ete utilise pour tester 170 echantillons de serum preleves lors de programmes de surveillance ou de vaccination contre la rougeole, en Ethiopie, Malaisie et Federation de Russie: 69 etaient positifs aux anticorps immunoglobulines M (IgM) de la rougeole, 74 etaient positifs aux anticorps IgM de la rubeole et 7 etaient positifs aux deux. On a egalement teste 282 echantillons de fluides oraux du programme de surveillance de la rougeole, des oreillons et de la rubeole (ROR) du Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'lrlande du Nord. Le test immuno-enzymatique de capture d'lgM de la rougeole Microimmune a ete l'etalon-or de la comparaison. Un panel de 24 fluides oraux a ete utilise pour etudier si les genes hemagglutinine (H) et nucleocapside (N) du virus de la rougeole pouvaient etre amplifies par reaction en chaine par polymerase, directement a partir des bandelettes POCT utilisees. Resultats Avec du serum POCT, les resultats ont montre une sensibilite et une specificite de 90,8% (69/76) et de 93,6% (88/94), respectivement. Avec les fluides oraux, la sensibilite et la specificite ont ete de 90% (63/70) et de 96,2% (200/208), respectivement. Les genes H et N ont ete detectes de maniere liable dans les bandelettes POCT, et les genes N ont pu etre sequences pour le genotypage. Les genes du virus de la rougeole ont pu etre recuperes sur des bandelettes POCT apres un stockage de 5 semaines a 20-25°C. Conclusion Le POCT a la sensibilite et la specificite requises d'un test sur le terrain pour le diagnostic de la rougeole. Cependant, son role dans les programmes globaux de lutte centre la rougeole necessite une evaluation plus poussee. Objetivo Evaluar el funcionamiento de una prueba en el punto de atencion (POCT, por sus siglas en ingles), recientemente desarrollada, para la deteccion de anticuerpos IgM especificos para sarampion en muestras de suero y de saliva, asi como evaluar si el acido nucleico viral del sarampion se podria recuperar de las tiras reactivas utilizadas en las POCT. Metodos Se utilizo la POCT para analizar 170 muestras de suero extraidas mediante programas de vigilancia o de vacunacion del sarampion en Etiopia, Malasia y la Federacion Rusa: 69 de estas muestras ofrecieron un resultado positivo para los anticuerpos Igm o inmunoglobulina M para el sarampion, 74 fueron positivas para anticuerpos IgM para la rubeola y 7 positivas para ambos. Tambien se realizaron pruebas en 282 muestras de saliva obtenidas en el programa de vigilancia de sarampion, paperas y rubeola (MMR, por sus siglas en ingles) del Reino Unido de Gran Bretana y de Irlanda del Norte. El estandar de oro para la comparacion fue el Ensayo por inmunoabsorcion ligado a enzimas para la deteccion de Igm especifica para sarampion. Se empleo un conjunto de 24 muestras de saliva para investigar si los genes de la hemaglutinina (H) del virus del sarampion y de la nucleocapsida (N) se podrian amplificar mediante una reaccion en cadena de la polimerasa directamente, a partir de tiras reactivas utilizadas en la POCT. Resultados En el caso del suero, la POCT mostro una sensibilidad y especificidad del 90,8% (69/76) y del 93,6% (88/94), respectivamente; en el caso de la saliva, la sensibilidad y la especificidad fueron del 90,0% (63/70) y del 96,2% (200/208), respectivamente. Ambos genes H y N fueron detectados de manera fiable en las tiras POCT y los genes N pudieron secuenciarse para su genotipado. Los genes del virus del sarampion se pudieron recuperar de las tiras de POCT tras su almacenaje durante 5 semanas a unos 20-25°C. Conclusion La POCT registro la sensibilidad y la especificidad requeridas en una prueba de campo para el diagnostico del sarampion. No obstante, su funcion en los programas de control global del sarampion requiere que se lleve a cabo una evaluacion exhaustiva.

Researchers describe an outbreak of encephalitis in Malaysia caused by a previously unknown virus. Encephalitis is an infection of the brain. Of 94 patients examined, 93% reported contact with pigs a few weeks before the illness. Over half the patients had symptoms of brain stem dysfunction. Other symptoms suggested the virus attacked the brain, brain stem and upper spinal cord. Thirty patients died, 50 completely recovered, and 14 had persistent neurological symptoms. The virus was named Nipah virus, and belongs to the class of viruses called paramyxoviruses.

To the Editor: Since 2007, a new cardiovirus, named Saffold virus (SAFV), has been isolated from human specimens in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and People's Republic of China [...]

To determine whether Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) exposure has occurred in Singapore, we tested 856 individuals from an existing serum panel collected from 2005‐2013. After an initial screen with luciferase immunoprecipitation system and secondary confirmation with virus neutralization test, we identified at least seven individuals with specific antibodies against PRV in both assays. Our findings confirm that PRV spillover into human populations is relatively common in this region of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]