RESUMEN
Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a dramatic upsurge in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, which may have altered the usual pattern of bacterial infections and relevant decision-making. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of rapid antigen detection test (RADT) positivity for group A Streptococcus (GAS) in patients with respiratory symptoms and signs during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we evaluated the association between a positive test and the modified Centor criteria in a population of children and adults with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Methods A prospective study was conducted in primary health care centres (PHCCs) and the paediatric emergency department (ED) of the Maternity and Children Hospital in Dammam City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Trained physicians collected data from patients aged three years and older or their guardian(s) regarding URTI symptoms. The modified Centor score was calculated, and RADT was performed for all patients. Results Data were collected from 469 patients. The prevalence of positive RADT was 19 (4.1%), and the setting was associated with RADT positivity, as 14% of ED visitors tested positive compared with 0.6% of PHCC visitors. The RADT results had an area under the curve of 0.856 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.774-0.939), with Centor scores of 2 and 3 having a sensitivity of 89.5%/78.9% and specificity of 70.6%/80.8%, respectively. Individuals with a score of 5 had the highest rate of positive RADT (33.3%, P<0.001); a score less than 0 excluded the possibility of GAS infection. Conclusion The Centor score can improve effective antibiotic prescribing; however, Centor scores ≥2 should be supplemented with an additional confirmatory test. The high specificity of RADT makes it a useful tool in preventing the prescription of unneeded antibiotics.
RESUMEN
Gene editing, especially with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9), has advanced gene function science. Gene editing's rapid advancement has increased its medical/clinical value. Due to its great specificity and efficiency, CRISPR/Cas9 can accurately and swiftly screen the whole genome. This simplifies disease-specific gene therapy. To study tumor origins, development, and metastasis, CRISPR/Cas9 can change genomes. In recent years, tumor treatment research has increasingly employed this method. CRISPR/Cas9 can treat cancer by removing genes or correcting mutations. Numerous preliminary tumor treatment studies have been conducted in relevant fields. CRISPR/Cas9 may treat gene-level tumors. CRISPR/Cas9-based personalized and targeted medicines may shape tumor treatment. This review examines CRISPR/Cas9 for tumor therapy research, which will be helpful in providing references for future studies on the pathogenesis of malignancy and its treatment.
