Evaluation of Two Commercial Kits for Qualitative Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antigens in Nasopharyngeal Specimens.

BACKGROUND: Two rapid antigen tests (RATs) for COVID-19 targeting the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 were compared with real-time RT-PCR as the reference method. METHODS: Ninety-six nasopharyngeal swab samples, comprising 56 positive and 40 negative samples confirmed through rRT-PCR were collected and retested to determine the reliability of the two nasopharyngeal RATs. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity and specificity of both RATs were 64.3% (95% confidence interval 50.4 - 76.6%) and 100% (95% confidence interval 91.2 - 100%), respectively. Cohen's kappa coefficient of agreement of both RATs to rRT-PCR was 0.600 (95% confidence interval 0.457 - 0.743) (p < 0.001), showing almost perfect agreement when the Ct values were less than 25 in rRT-PCR. A significant difference in Ct values between true positives and false negatives was observed (Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to rRT-PCR, RATs have fewer false negatives. In suspected COVID-19 cases, negative RAT results should be retested using either RAT or rRT-PCR.

Trend of nontuberculous mycobacteria species and minimal inhibitory concentration in a referral laboratory in Korea from 2013 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the trends of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) isolates and the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antimicrobial agents in Korea. METHODS: Data from 2013 to 2019 were collected from 69 medical institutions through 12 branches of the Korean Institute of Tuberculosis. NTM identification was conducted using the Advansure Mycobacteria Genoblot assay. The MIC of antibiotics against NTM species were measured using the broth microdilution method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. RESULTS: Over seven years, 86,194 NTM identifications were requested, with an annual increase from 8034 in 2013-17,229 in 2019. The most frequently identified NTM species were M. intracellulare (33,467; 47.3%) and M. avium (19,818; 27.2%), followed by M. abscessus (6858; 9.4%) and M. massiliense (3156; 4.3%). Regarding the antimicrobial agents, imipenem exhibited the greatest difference in MIC between M. intracellulare and M. avium, whereas clarithromycin showed the most significant difference between M. abscessus and M. massiliense. No notable changes were observed in the annual MIC distribution of most antibacterial agents, except for clarithromycin in M. abscessus. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NTM in Korea is gradually increasing, and follow-up studies on NTM isolates identified as the causative agents of infection are needed.

Comparison between hook plate fixation with and without coracoclavicular ligament suture for acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations.

BACKGROUND: Hook plates are widely used for repair of acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocations. However, it is unclear whether repair of torn coracoclavicular (CC) ligament is necessary. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the hook plate fixation with direct CC ligament repair for acute ACJ dislocation in comparison with the hook plate fixation without direct CC ligament repair. METHODS: The study included 120 patients with acute ACJ dislocations who underwent surgery. The patients were divided into 73 patient groups with Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) hook plate fixation and direct CC ligament repair and 47 patient groups without direct CC ligament repair. For clinical assessments, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, constant score, and time for implant removal were recorded. The corcoclavicular distance (CCD) and the CCD ratio were used for the evaluation of reduction. Typical reported complications, such as secondary dislocation, implant failure or loosening, peri-implant fracture, acromion osteolysis, and postoperative ACJ arthrosis, were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences in the clinical outcomes between the two groups. There was no difference in the timing of implant removal between the two groups. The last follow-up CCD was not statistically significant between group with direct CC ligament repair and without repair (9.1 ± 3.3 vs. 9.0 ± 2.8, respectively, p > 0.05). The last follow-up CCD ratio showed significant differences between the two groups (12.6 ± 25.5% vs. 26.3 ± 39.7, respectively, p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the complication rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The hook plate fixation with direct CC ligament repair group was better for maintenance of reduction than that of the hook plate fixation without direct CC ligament repair group. Although, there were no differences of clinical outcomes and complications between two groups. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective Study.

Comparison of a novel hybrid hook locking plate fixation method with the conventional AO hook plate fixation method for Neer type V distal clavicle fractures.

BACKGROUND: The conventional AO hook locking compression plate (LCP) (Synthes, Solothurn, Switzerland) has only three holes for lateral fragments; therefore it is not suitable for use during the fixation of small-comminuted fragments in some cases. Recently, a novel hybrid hook LCP (TDM, Seoul, Korea) was developed to overcome this limitation. Here, we evaluated the clinical and radiologic outcomes of a novel hybrid hook LCP for Neer type V distal clavicle fractures compared to the outcomes of a conventional AO hook plate. METHODS: Seventy-eight consecutive patients who underwent hook LCP fixation for Neer type V distal clavicle fractures were included. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: the conventional AO hook LCP group and the novel hybrid hook LCP group. For clinical assessments, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Korean shoulder score (KSS), and Constant score were recorded. The percentage modified coracoclavicular distance (MCCD %) was used for the evaluation of fracture reduction. Typical reported complications, such as secondary dislocation, implant failure or loosening, peri-implant fracture, acromion osteolysis, postoperative acromioclavicular joint arthrosis, non-union, or delayed union, were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences in the clinical outcomes (ASES, KSS, and Constant scores) between the two groups. Bone union was achieved in a significantly shorter period in the hybrid hook LCP group (13.6±2.0weeks) than in the AO hook LCP group (17.5±4.8weeks, p<0.001). Consequently, the time to implant removal was also significantly shorter in the hybrid hook LCP group (4.0±0.5months) than in the AO hook LCP group (5.4±1.1months, p<0.001). The MCCD% showed no significant differences between the treatment groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the complication rate between the two groups; however, the hybrid hook LCP fixation resulted in a lower prevalence of hook-related complications. CONCLUSION: The hybrid hook LCP fixation showed satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes in comparison with the AO hook LCP fixation. The hybrid hook LCP is useful for multiple screw fixation of inferior comminuted fragments in Neer type V distal clavicle fractures. The bone union was significantly shorter; thus, the time to implant removal was also significantly shorter. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective study.

The supraspinatus occupation ratios of both the ≥ 50% articular- and bursal-side partial-thickness rotator cuff tears were low and the infraspinatus occupation ratio of the ≥ 50% bursal-side partial-thickness rotator cuff tears was low.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the occupation ratio and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. METHODS: The study included and retrospectively investigated 683 patients with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears between 2013 and 2017. Fifty patients with impingement syndrome were also enrolled as the control group for normal-population comparison. The participants were divided into five groups: Group A, control group; Group B, < 50% articular-side tears; Group C, ≥ 50% articular-side tears; Group D, < 50% bursal-side tears; and Group E, ≥ 50% bursal-side tears. Muscle volume was evaluated by measurement of each occupation ratio of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons on the most lateral view of the T1-weighted oblique-sagittal images in which the scapular spine remained in contact with the scapular body. RESULTS: Fifty patients were enrolled in Group A. A total of 683 patients with Partial thickness rotator cuff tear were divided and classified into the following groups: 272 into Group B, 153 into Group C, 161 into Group D, and 97 into Group E. The supraspinatus occupation ratios of all partial-thickness rotator cuff tear groups were significantly lower than those of the control group. Furthermore, the supraspinatus occupation ratios of Groups C and E (≥ 50% partial-thickness rotator cuff tears) were significantly lower than those of Groups B and D (< 50% partial-thickness rotator cuff tears). However, the infraspinatus occupation ratio of only Group E was significantly lower than that of the other groups. CONCLUSION: The supraspinatus occupation ratios of both the ≥ 50% articular- and bursal-side partial-thickness rotator cuff tears were lower than those of the other partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Conversely, the infraspinatus occupation ratio of only the ≥ 50% bursal-side partial-thickness rotator cuff tears was low. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.