RESUMEN
Although reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR remains the gold standard to perform viral detection, reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) is already used to perform diagnosis of various infections. This work reports the results of a multicentric study performed in Sicily to evaluate the diagnostic power of an RT-LAMP kit for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection on a total of 551 samples collected in January and February 2021, revealing sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values ≥95%. Our results suggest the potential employment of this kit as a screening test to be used where fast and reliable results are demanded without the need for expensive instruments and highly-skilled personnel.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Molecular , Técnicas de Amplificación de Ácido Nucleico , ARN Viral , ADN Polimerasa Dirigida por ARN , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
Aim: Measles is one of the most infectious communicable diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the immunity to measles of healthcare workers (HCWs) operating in three hospitals of Catania. Methods: A total of 549 HCWs underwent measles screening. A 5 ml blood sample was taken from each worker to measure IgG antibody levels. Results: Overall seroprotection was 86%. Unvaccinated HCWs agreed to undergo the vaccination offered by the hospital. Furthermore, it was found that younger workers are less seroprotected than older ones. Conclusion: Model legislation may be helpful to countries wishing to implement immunization requirements in healthcare settings in order to virtually eliminate the risk of acquiring and spreading measles in healthcare settings.
Asunto(s)
Sarampión/epidemiología , Personal de Hospital/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Infección Hospitalaria/prevención & control , Femenino , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Masculino , Sarampión/inmunología , Sarampión/prevención & control , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Profesionales/prevención & control , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Sicilia/epidemiología , Vacunación/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
Tuberculosis (TB) is a diffuse communicable disease; and healthcare workers (HCWs) are among the at-risk populations for the disease. This study reports the result of TB surveillance in HCWs operating in three hospitals: one classified as 'low' risk for TB and two as 'medium' risk. A total of 2228 HCWs underwent TB screening using the standard Mantoux technique (also known as the tuberculin sensitivity test [TST]). Interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) was carried out in TST-positive subjects. Results showed an overall positivity of 21% to TST and 2% to IGRA test. TST and IGRA results were statistically associated with HCWs born after 1981. This result is due to university policies that highly recommend TB immunization. Data support the use of IGRA assay in TST-positive HCWs, in order to identify latent TB infection from vaccination.