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Micromachines Feb 2022Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a leading cause of permanent disability worldwide that has been listed as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization....
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a leading cause of permanent disability worldwide that has been listed as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. Significant progress made by the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) has led to a substantial decline in the population of the worm that causes LF infection. Diagnostic assays capable of detecting low levels of parasite presence are needed to diagnose LF. There is also a need for new tools that can be used in areas where multiple filarial species are coendemic and for mass screening or for use in a point-of-care setting. In the present study, we applied our previously developed semi-automated microfluidic device in combination with our recently developed mini polymerase chain reaction (miniPCR) with a duplex lateral flow dipstick (DLFD) (miniPCR-DLFD) for rapid mass screening and visual species identification of lymphatic filariae in human blood. The study samples comprised 20 microfilariae (mf) positive human blood samples, 14 mf positive human blood samples and 100 mf negative human blood samples. Microfilariae detection and visual species identification was performed using the microfluidic device. To identify the species of the mf trapped in the microfluidic chips, DNA of the trapped mf was extracted for miniPCR amplification of and DNA followed by DLFD. Thick blood smear staining for microfilariae detection was used as the gold standard technique. Microfilariae screening and visual species identification using our microfluidic device plus miniPCR-DLFD platform yielded results concordant with those of the gold standard thick blood smear technique. The microfluidic device, the miniPCR and the DLFD are all portable and do not require additional equipment. Use of this screening and visual species identification platform will facilitate reliable, cost-effective, and rapid surveillance for the presence of LF infection in resource-poor settings.
PubMed: 35208460
DOI: 10.3390/mi13020336 -
Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases May 2016During the past decade, using serum biomarkers and clinical decision rules for early prediction of rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) has received much... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
During the past decade, using serum biomarkers and clinical decision rules for early prediction of rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) has received much attention from researchers. This study aimed to broadly review the value of scoring systems and urine dipstick in prediction of rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was designed based on the guidelines of the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement. Search was done in electronic databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar by 2 independent reviewers. Studies evaluating AKI risk factors in rhabdomyolysis patients with the aim of developing a scoring model as well as those assessing the role of urine dipstick in these patients were included.
RESULTS
Of the 5997 articles found, 143 were potentially relevant studies. After studying their full texts, 6 articles were entered into the systematic review. Two studies had developed or validated scoring systems of the "rule of thumb," and the AKI index, and the Mangled Extremity Severity Score. Four studies were on the predictive value of urine dipstick in risk prediction of rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI, with favorable results.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this systematic review showed that based on the available resources, using the prediction rules and urine dipstick could be considered as valuable screening tools for detection of patients at risk for AKI following rhabdomyolysis. Yet, the external validity of the mentioned tools should be assessed before their general application in routine practice.
Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Biomarkers; Humans; Observational Studies as Topic; Reagent Strips; Rhabdomyolysis; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Urinalysis
PubMed: 27225716
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic... Sep 2023Standard visual urine dipstick analysis (UDA) is performed routinely in veterinary medicine; results can be influenced by both the operator and the method. We evaluated...
Standard visual urine dipstick analysis (UDA) is performed routinely in veterinary medicine; results can be influenced by both the operator and the method. We evaluated the agreement of results for canine and feline urine samples analyzed using a 10-patch dipstick (Multistix10SG; Siemens), both visually under double-anonymized conditions by students and a laboratory technician, and with an automated device (AD; Clinitek Status, Siemens). The mean concordance for semiquantitative urinalysis results between students and the technician and between students and the AD was fair (κ0.21-0.40) in dogs and cats; concordance was moderate between the technician and the AD (κ0.41-0.60) in dogs and good (κ0.61-0.80) in cats. For pH, the mean concordance between students and the technician and between the technician and the AD was good (ρ0.80-0.92) in dogs and cats; concordance was good between students and the AD (ρ0.80-0.92) in dogs and moderate (ρ0.59-0.79) in cats. Repeatability was higher ( < 0.001) for the technician and the AD than for a student. We found good agreement between UDA performed by an experienced operator and an AD in dogs and cats but found low reproducibility and low repeatability for urinalysis performed by an inexperienced operator.
Topics: Cats; Dogs; Animals; Cat Diseases; Reproducibility of Results; Observer Variation; Dog Diseases; Reagent Strips; Urinalysis
PubMed: 37326167
DOI: 10.1177/10406387231181579 -
Veterinary Clinical Pathology Jun 2018The dipstick is a first-line and inexpensive test that can exclude the presence of proteinuria in dogs. However, no information is available about the analytical... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
The dipstick is a first-line and inexpensive test that can exclude the presence of proteinuria in dogs. However, no information is available about the analytical variability of canine urine dipstick analysis.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to assess the analytical variability in 2 dipsticks and the inter-operator variability in dipstick interpretation.
METHODS
Canine urine supernatants (n = 174) were analyzed with 2 commercially available dipsticks. Two observers evaluated each result blinded to the other observer and to the results of the other dipstick. Intra- and inter-assay variability was assessed in 5 samples (corresponding to the 5 different semi-quantitative results) tested 10 consecutive times over 5 consecutive days. The agreement between observers and between dipsticks was evaluated with Cohen's k test.
RESULTS
Intra-assay repeatability was good (≤3/10 errors), whereas inter-assay variability was higher (from 1/5 to 4/5 discordant results). The concordance between the operators (k = 0.68 and 0.79 for the 2 dipsticks) and that of the dipsticks (k = 0.66 and 0.74 for the 2 operators) was good. However, 1 observer and 1 dipstick overestimated the results compared with the second observer or dipstick. In any case, discordant results accounted for a single unit of the semi-quantitative scale.
CONCLUSIONS
As for any other method, analytic variability may affect the semi-quantitation of urinary proteins when using the dipstick method. Subjective interpretation of the pad and, to a lesser extent, intrinsic staining properties of the pads could affect the results. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the effect of this variability on clinical decisions.
Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Male; Proteinuria; Reagent Strips; Reproducibility of Results; Urinalysis
PubMed: 29578638
DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12594 -
European Journal of Clinical... Mar 2021Sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) for detection of group A hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) vary. The purpose is to present the first...
Performance and user-friendliness of the rapid antigen detection tests QuickVue Dipstick Strep A test and DIAQUICK Strep A Blue Dipstick for pharyngotonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in primary health care.
Sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) for detection of group A hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) vary. The purpose is to present the first SKUP (Scandinavian evaluation of laboratory equipment for point of care testing) evaluations concerning the assessment of the diagnostic performance and user-friendliness of two RADTs for detection of GAS when used under real-life conditions in primary health care. Throat samples were collected in duplicates at primary health care centers (PHCCs) from patients with symptoms of pharyngitis. The performance of QuickVue Dipstick Strep A test (307 samples) and DIAQUICK Strep A Blue Dipstick (348 samples) was evaluated using culture results at a clinical microbiology laboratory as comparison. The user-friendliness was evaluated using a questionnaire. The diagnostic sensitivity was 92% (90% confidence interval (CI) 87-96%) and 72% (90% CI 65-79%), while the diagnostic specificity was 86% (90% CI 81-90%) and 98% (90% CI 96-99%) for QuickVue Dipstick Strep A test and DIAQUICK Strep A Blue Dipstick, respectively. Both RADTs obtained acceptable assessments for user-friendliness and fulfilled SKUP's quality goal for user-friendliness. The diagnostic sensitivity for QuickVue Dipstick Strep A test and the diagnostic specificity for DIAQUICK Strep A Blue Dipstick in this objective and supplier-independent evaluation were higher compared with previous meta-analyses of RADTs. However, the diagnostic specificity for QuickVue Dipstick Strep A test and the diagnostic sensitivity for DIAQUICK Strep A Blue Dipstick were lower compared with previous meta-analyses of RADTs.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antigens, Bacterial; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Pharyngitis; Point-of-Care Testing; Primary Health Care; Prospective Studies; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serologic Tests; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes; Young Adult
PubMed: 32996031
DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-04034-z -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Feb 2022Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139. Cholera rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used to screen for cholera cases. However,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139. Cholera rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used to screen for cholera cases. However, their accuracy has not been systematically reviewed.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cholera RDTs.
METHODS
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, EMBASE and Web of science through to November 2020; references of included studies and a technical guidance on cholera RDTs. This review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021233124).
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Cross-sectional studies comparing the performance of cholera RDTs either to stool culture or PCR.
PARTICIPANTS
Individuals with clinically suspected cholera.
DATA EXTRACTION
Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the quality using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) criteria.
RESULTS
Eighteen studies were included in the systematic review of which 17 were used for meta-analysis. Crystal VC was the most frequently used RDT (13 studies), followed by Cholkit and Institut Pasteur cholera dipstick (three studies each), SD Bioline (two studies), Artron (one study) and Smart (one study). Using direct testing (n = 12 627 specimens), the bivariate random-effects model yielded a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 91% (95% CI 87%-94%) and 80% (95% CI 74%-84%), respectively. However, through alkaline peptone water (APW) enrichment (n = 3403 specimens), the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 89% (95% CI 79%-95%) and 98% (95% CI 95%-99%), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Cholera RDTs, especially when enriched with APW, have moderate sensitivity and specificity. Although less useful for clinical management, the current generation of RDTs have clear utility for surveillance efforts if used in a principled manner. Enrichment of stool specimens in APW before using cholera RDTs reduces the possibility of obtaining false-positive results, despite the few cholera cases that go undetected. It is noteworthy that APW-enriched cholera RDTs are not necessarily rapid tests, and are not listed in the Global Task Force on Cholera Control/WHO target product profile.
Topics: Cholera; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Sensitivity and Specificity; Vibrio cholerae O1
PubMed: 34506946
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.08.027 -
The Journal of Antimicrobial... Aug 2023Given the lack of accurate rapid diagnostics for urinary tract infection (UTI) in women, many countries have developed guidelines aiming to support appropriate... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVES
Given the lack of accurate rapid diagnostics for urinary tract infection (UTI) in women, many countries have developed guidelines aiming to support appropriate antibiotic prescribing, but some guidelines have not been validated. We performed a diagnostic accuracy validation study of two guidelines: Public Health England (GW-1263) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN160).
METHODS
We used data from women with symptoms suggestive of uncomplicated UTI from a randomized controlled trial comparing urine collection devices. Symptom information was recorded via baseline questionnaire and primary care assessment. Women provided urine samples for dipstick testing and culture. We calculated the number within each risk category of diagnostic flowcharts who had positive/mixed growth/no significant growth urine culture. Results were presented as positive/negative predictive values, with 95% CIs.
RESULTS
Of women aged under 65 years, 311/509 (61.1%, 95% CI 56.7%-65.3%) classified to the highest risk category (recommended to consider immediate antibiotic prescribing) and 80/199 (40.2%, 95% CI 33.4%-47.4%) classified to the lowest risk category (recommended to reassure that UTI is less likely) by the GW-1263 guideline (n = 810) had positive culture. For the SIGN160 guideline (n = 814), the proportion with positive culture ranged from 60/82 (73.2%, 95% CI 62.1%-82.1%) in those for whom immediate treatment was indicated to 33/76 (43.4%, 95% CI 32.3%-55.3%) in those recommended a self-care/waiting strategy.
CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should be aware of the potential for diagnostic error when using diagnostic guidelines for managing uncomplicated UTI and making antimicrobial prescribing decisions. Infection cannot be excluded on the basis of symptoms and dipstick testing alone.
Topics: Humans; Female; Urinalysis; Urinary Tract Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Predictive Value of Tests; Primary Health Care
PubMed: 37401673
DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkad212 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2021Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis and threatens warm-blooded animal and human health worldwide. Simple and...
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis and threatens warm-blooded animal and human health worldwide. Simple and applicable diagnostic methods are urgently needed to guide development of effective approaches for prevention of toxoplasmosis. Most molecular diagnostic tools for T. gondii infection require high technical skills, sophisticated equipment, and a controlled lab environment. In this study, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification-lateral-flow-dipstick (LAMP-LFD) assay that specifically targets the 529 bp for detecting T. gondii infection. This novel portable device is universal, fast, user-friendly, and guarantees experimental sensitivity as well as low risk of aerosol contamination. Our LAMP-LFD assay has a detection limit of 1 fg of T. gondii DNA, and shows no cross-reaction with other parasitic pathogens, including Cryptosporidium parvum, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium vivax. We validated the developed assay by detecting T. gondii in DNA extracted from blood samples collected from 318 stray cats and dogs sampled from Deqing, Wenzhou, Yiwu, Lishui and Zhoushan cities across Zhejiang province, Eastern China. The LAMP-LFD device detected T. gondii DNA in 4.76 and 4.69% of stray cats and dogs, respectively. In conclusion, the developed LAMP-LFD assay is efficient, minimizes aerosol contamination, and is therefore suitable for detecting T. gondii across basic medical institutions and field settings.
Topics: Animals; Cats; China; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Dogs; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Sensitivity and Specificity; Toxoplasma
PubMed: 33944774
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021039 -
Malaria Journal Nov 2015Isothermal amplification techniques are emerging as a promising method for malaria diagnosis since they are capable of detecting extremely low concentrations of parasite...
BACKGROUND
Isothermal amplification techniques are emerging as a promising method for malaria diagnosis since they are capable of detecting extremely low concentrations of parasite target while mitigating the need for infrastructure and training required by other nucleic acid based tests. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is promising for further development since it operates in a short time frame (<30 min) and produces a product that can be visually detected on a lateral flow dipstick. A self-sealing paper and plastic system that performs both the amplification and detection of a malaria DNA sequence is presented.
METHODS
Primers were designed using the NCBI nBLAST tools and screened using gel electrophoresis. Paper and plastic devices were prototyped using commercial design software and parts were cut using a laser cutter and assembled by hand. Synthetic copies of the Plasmodium 18S gene were spiked into solution and used as targets for the RPA reaction. To test the performance of the device the same samples spiked with synthetic target were run in parallel both in the paper and plastic devices and using conventional bench top methods.
RESULTS
Novel RPA primers were developed that bind to sequences present in the four species of Plasmodium which infect humans. The paper and plastic devices were found to be capable of detecting as few as 5 copies/µL of synthetic Plasmodium DNA (50 copies total), comparable to the same reaction run on the bench top. The devices produce visual results in an hour, cost approximately $1, and are self-contained once the device is sealed.
CONCLUSIONS
The device was capable of carrying out the RPA reaction and detecting meaningful amounts of synthetic Plasmodium DNA in a self-sealing and self-contained device. This device may be a step towards making nucleic acid tests more accessible for malaria detection.
Topics: Costs and Cost Analysis; DNA, Protozoan; DNA, Ribosomal; Equipment and Supplies; Humans; Malaria; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Paper; Plasmodium; Plastics; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Time Factors
PubMed: 26611141
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0995-6 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Nov 2021Atherosclerosis is a vital cause of cardiovascular diseases. The correlation between proteinuria and atherosclerosis, however, has not been confirmed. This study aimed... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Atherosclerosis is a vital cause of cardiovascular diseases. The correlation between proteinuria and atherosclerosis, however, has not been confirmed. This study aimed to assess whether there is a relationship between proteinuria and atherosclerosis.
METHODS
From January 2016 to September 2020, 13,545 asymptomatic subjects from four centres in southern China underwent dipstick proteinuria testing and carotid atherosclerosis examination. Data on demography and past medical history were collected, and laboratory examinations were performed. The samples consisted of 7405 subjects (4875 males and 2530 females), excluding subjects failing to reach predefined standards and containing enough information. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to adjust the influence of traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis on the results.
RESULTS
Compared with proteinuria-negative subjects, proteinuria-positive subjects had a higher prevalence rate of carotid atherosclerosis. The differences were statistically significant (22.6% vs. 26.7%, χ = 10.03, p = 0.002). After adjusting for common risk factors for atherosclerosis, age, sex, BMI, blood lipids, blood pressure, renal function, hypertensive disease, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia, proteinuria was an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis (OR = 1.191, 95% CI 1.015-1.398, p = 0.033). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to test the risk prediction model of atherosclerosis, and the results showed that the model has high goodness of fit and strong independent variable prediction ability.
CONCLUSIONS
Proteinuria is independently related to carotid atherosclerosis. With the increase in proteinuria level, the risk of carotid atherosclerotic plaque increases. For patients with positive proteinuria, further examination of atherosclerosis should not be ignored.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carotid Artery Diseases; China; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Proteinuria; Reagent Strips; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; Urinalysis; Young Adult
PubMed: 34798829
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-021-02367-x