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As the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus spread throughout the world, millions of positive cases of COVID‐19 were registered and, even though there are millions of people already vaccinated against SARS‐CoV‐2, a large part of the global population remains vulnerable to contracting the virus. Massive nasopharyngeal sample collection in Puerto Rico at the beginning of the pandemic was limited by the scarcity of trained personnel and testing sites. To increase SARS‐CoV‐2 molecular testing availability, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of self‐collected nasal, saliva, and urine samples using the TaqPath reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) COVID‐19 kit to detect SARS‐CoV‐2. We also created a colorimetric loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) laboratory developed test (LDT) to detect SARS‐CoV‐2, as another strategy to increase the availability of molecular testing in community‐based laboratories. Automated RNA extraction was performed in the KingFisher Flex instrument, followed by PCR quantification of SARS‐CoV‐2 on the 7500 Fast Dx RT‐PCR using the TaqPath RT‐PCR COVID‐19 molecular test. Data was interpreted by the COVID‐19 Interpretive Software from Applied Biosystems and statistically analyzed with Cohen's kappa coefficient (k). Cohen's kappa coefficient (k) for paired nasal and saliva samples showed moderate agreement (0.52). Saliva samples exhibited a higher viral load. We also observed 90% concordance between LifeGene‐Biomarks' SARS‐CoV‐2 Rapid Colorimetric LAMP LDT and the TaqPath RT‐PCR COVID‐19 test. Our results suggest that self‐collected saliva is superior to nasal and urine samples for COVID‐19 testing. The results also suggest that the colorimetric LAMP LDT is a rapid alternative to RT‐PCR tests for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2. This test can be easily implemented in clinics, hospitals, the workplace, and at home; optimizing the surveillance and collection process, which helps mitigate global public health and socioeconomic upheaval caused by airborne pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Usage of self‐screening tests has become increasingly relevant in public health perspective for early detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in the transitioning era of the COVID‐19 pandemic into an endemic. This study was designed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of self‐conducted and health professional‐conducted SARS‐CoV‐2 rapid antigen tests (Ag‐RDTs) and whether the sample was taken from anterior nasal or nasal mid‐turbinate. Eligible comparative Ag‐RDTs accuracy studies were retrieved from electronic databases systematically, in accordance with PRISMA. Selected studies were assessed for risk of bias using QUADAS‐2 and QUADAS‐C. In total, we selected five out of 1952 studies retrieved using the keywords. The overall sensitivity for the self‐collected nasal swab method and healthcare worker‐collected nasopharyngeal swab method was 79% (95% CI 68–87; I2 = 62%) and 83% (95% CI 75–89; I2 = 32%), respectively, which was not statistically different (p = 0.499). Nasal mid‐turbinate swabs have a significantly higher sensitivity compared to anterior nasal swabs (p < 0.01). Both sampling methods represent high and comparable specificity values of 98% (95% CI 97–99; I2 = 0%) and 99% (95% CI 98–99; I2 = 0%). Positive predictive value (range 90%–99%) and negative predictive value (range 87%–98%) were equivalent for both methods. Our findings indicated the accuracy of self‐collected Ag‐RDT on nasal swabs was comparable to those performed by healthcare worker‐collected on nasopharyngeal swabs. Self‐collected Ag‐RDT could be considered as a transmission prevention method in the transition of COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In dogs with sinonasal aspergillosis (SNA) the utility of PCR in the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease after treatment has not been assessed. Objectives: To evaluate the presence of fungal DNA using quantitative PCR targeting Aspergillus fumigatus (Aspfum) and Aspergillus spp. (PanAsp), and PCR targeting multiple fungal species (PanFun), in samples obtained from nasal cavities of dogs with SNA, other nasal diseases and healthy dogs. Animals: Sixty‐two dogs including 20 with SNA, 12 with cured SNA (of which 10 are from the SNA group), 20 dogs with Non‐SNA nasal disease, and 20 healthy dogs. Methods: Prospective cross‐sectional study. Aspfum, PanAsp, and PanFun were performed on blindly collected nasal swabs obtained in anesthetized dogs. Results: In SNA dogs, Aspfum and PanAsp were positive in 13/20 and 14/20 dogs. In all dogs in the 3 other groups, A. fumigatus DNA was not detected using Aspfum. PanAsp was positive in 3 non‐SNA dogs: 1 with cured SNA and 2 with Non‐SNA nasal disease. A Ct cut‐off value of 33.3 for Aspfum demonstrated 65% sensitivity and 100% specificity. A Ct cut‐off value of 34.5 for PanAsp demonstrated 70% sensitivity and 96.2% specificity. PanFun was positive in 16/20, 12/12, 19/20, and 7/20 dogs in the SNA, cured SNA, Non‐SNA, and healthy groups, respectively. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Aspfum and PanAsp on blindly collected nasal swabs can be useful for the detection of SNA at diagnosis and at cure, especially when more invasive methods are not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) is still listed on the WHO Research and Development Blueprint of emerging pathogens. Dromedary camels remain the only known animal reservoir of the virus. The animal‐to‐animal as well as the animal‐to‐human transmission in the MERS‐CoV cycles were reported. However, many aspects of these transmission chains are not well studied. One of these directions is the potential roles of various species of arthropods in the transmission of the virus. Objectives: The main goal of the current work was to study the roles of several species of arthropods in the transmission of MERS‐CoV. Methodology: To achieve this goal, we identified some MERS‐CoV naturally infected dromedary camel populations. We conducted a longitudinal study among these animals for more than 2 months. This was done by repeated testing of nasal swabs biweekly from some selected animals in this population for the presence of MERS‐CoV‐RNAs by real‐time PCR. During the duration of this study, we collected several species of arthropods (Culicoides, Stomoxys, Musca domestica and some Culex species) that shared the habitat and were circulating in this farm during this longitudinal study. Results: Our results showing, despite the detection of the viral RNAs in some animals throughout this study, none of the examined species of arthropods tested positive for the viral RNA. Conclusions: These results are suggesting that at least the tested species of arthropods may not play roles in the transmission of MERS‐CoV. However, more large‐scale studies are required to explore any potential roles of arthropods in the transmission cycle of MERS‐CoV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) is one of the recently identified zoonotic coronaviruses. The one‐hump camels are believed to play important roles in the evolution and transmission of the virus. The animal‐to‐animal, as well as the animal‐to‐human transmission in the context of MERS‐CoV infection, were reported. The camels shed the virus in some of their secretions, especially the nasal tract. However, there are many aspects of the transmission cycle of the virus from animals to humans that are still not fully understood. Rodents played important roles in the transmission of many pathogens, including viruses and bacteria. They have been implicated in the evolution of many human coronaviruses, especially HCoV‐OC43 and HCoV‐HKU1. However, the role of rodents in the transmission of MERS‐CoV still requires more exploration. To achieve this goal, we identified MERS‐CoV that naturally infected dromedary camel by molecular surveillance. We captured 15 of the common rodents (rats, mice, and jerboa) sharing the habitat with these animals. We collected both oral and rectal swabs from these animals and then tested them by the commercial MERS‐CoV real‐time‐PCR kits using two targets. Despite the detection of the viral shedding in the nasal swabs of some of the dromedary camels, none of the rodents tested positive for the virus during the tenure of this study. We concluded that these species of rodents did not harbor the virus and are most unlikely to contribute to the transmission of the MERS‐CoV. However, further large‐scale studies are required to confirm the potential roles of rodents in the context of the MERS‐CoV transmission cycle, if any. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct filter hybridization (DFH) was evaluated as a rapid detection system for the diagnosis of Aujeszky's disease (AD) in pigs. Infection was detected in nasal and tonsillar cells, lymphocytes and in organ specimens by filter hybridization without previous purification of nucleic acids. The results of DFH agreed with those obtained by virus isolation and conventional nucleic acid hybridization. The infection was demonstrated by DFH both in acutely diseased and in clinically recovered animals. The sensitivity and specificity of both isotope-labelled and biotinylated probes were compared and confirmed. Zusammenfassung Einfacher Nachweis der Aujeszkyschen Krankheit bei Schweinen mittels DNS-Hybridisierung Für die Diagnostik der Aujeszkyschen Krankheit bei Schweinen wurde der Nachweis von virusspezifischer DNS durch direkte Filter-Hybridisierung (DFH) entwickelt. Dabei konnte eine Infektion in Nasen- und Tonsillentupfern, Lymphozyten und Organproben nachgewiesen werden. Die Ergebnisse lassen sich bestätigen durch Isolierung des Virus und die bisher übliche DNS-Hybridisierung. Sensitivität und Spezifität wurden für radioaktiv und Biotinmarkierte Sonden verglichen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Describe the in-house validation of a previously reported influenza virus type A 5' Taq nuclease assay for detecting equine influenza virus A RNA in nasal swab material. Methods The validation compares the 5' Taq nuclease assay with a gel-based reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) previously reported by the Irish Equine Centre for detection of H3N8 and H7N7 equine influenza viruses. This test was chosen because it targets a different region of the viral genome to the real-time test, so it is not merely a repeat of the same test in a different format. Moreover, nested PCRs are commonly considered to have similar sensitivity to real-time PCRs and are therefore ideal for evaluation comparisons. Results The sensitivity of the nested PCR was comparable to the 5' Taq nuclease test. Known positive samples and known negative samples reacted with both tests with 100% correlation. Parallel testing of 276 nasal swab samples showed 98% agreement. Conclusion The specificity of the nested amplicons was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing and showed >99.5% identity with the same region of previously published equine influenza virus A sequences. The results of this work are appropriate validation for the acceptance of the real-time PCR for equine influenza A virus in equine nasal swabs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]