High performance of the automated ADVIA Centaur Systems SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Assay in nasopharyngeal samples with high viral load / Alto rendimiento del ensayo de antígeno ADVIA Centaur Systems SARS-CoV-2 automatizado en muestras nasofaríngeas con alta carga viral

ADVIA Centaur SARS-CoV-2 Antigen (COV2Ag) Assay (Siemens Healthineers) was evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 detection. A total of 141 nasopharyngeal samples were analyzed by this technique and results were compared with those obtained by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The overall sensitivity and specificity of the test were 68.70% and 70%, respectively. Regarding cycle threshold (Ct) values, the COV2Ag test showed a sensitivity of 93.75% and 100% for nasopharyngeal samples with Ct < 25 and < 20, respectively. ADVIA Centaur COV2Ag Assay is a useful, automated, and rapid technique for early SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and isolation of the infected individuals, avoiding its transmission.(AU)

High performance of the automated ADVIA Centaur Systems SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Assay in nasopharyngeal samples with high viral load.

ADVIA Centaur SARS-CoV-2 Antigen (COV2Ag) Assay (Siemens Healthineers) was evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 detection. A total of 141 nasopharyngeal samples were analyzed by this technique and results were compared with those obtained by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The overall sensitivity and specificity of the test were 68.70% and 70%, respectively. Regarding cycle threshold (Ct) values, the COV2Ag test showed a sensitivity of 93.75% and 100% for nasopharyngeal samples with Ct < 25 and < 20, respectively. ADVIA Centaur COV2Ag Assay is a useful, automated, and rapid technique for early SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and isolation of the infected individuals, avoiding its transmission.

Valoración de dos pruebas inmunocromatográficas para la detección de anticuerpos frente a SARS-CoV-2 / Evaluation of two immunocromatographic tests for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

Introducción. Las pruebas serológicas han resultado una herramienta de gran valor en el transcurso de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2, tanto en la detección, apoyando a los métodos moleculares, como en el seguimiento de la respuesta inmune, provocada por la vacunación o por la infección natural. Dentro de todas estas técnicas, las pruebas rápidas resultan interesantes por su fácil uso, rápida respuesta y bajo coste económico. Material y métodos. Se evaluaron dos técnicas inmunológicas diferentes: Realy Tech y Mikrogen Diagnostik recomLine SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Como técnicas de referencia se utilizaron pruebas automatizadas: SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant antibody test y SARS-CoV-IgG assay, ambos de Abbott Diagnostics. Resultados. Mikrogen Diagnostik fue el que, en conjunto, ofreció mejores resultados (S=0,985; E=0,839). Las dos técnicas mostraron buenos valores predictivos positivos, pero los valores predictivos negativos de Realy Tech estuvieron lejos de lo deseable. Conclusiones. Mikrogen Diagnostik recomLine SARS-CoV-2 IgG ofreció muy buenos resultados en la detección de anticuerpos frente a SARS-CoV-2 y podría ser utilizada como alternativa a las técnicas automatizadas. (AU)

Introduction. Serological tests have been a valuable tool during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, supporting molecular methods for detection, and monitoring the immune response, caused by vaccination or by natural infection. Within all these techniques, rapid tests are interesting due to their ease of use, rapid response and low cost. Methods. Two different immunological techniques were evaluated: Realy Tech and Mikrogen Diagnostik recomLine SARS-CoV-2 IgG. SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant antibody test and SARS-CoV-IgG assay, both from Abbott Diagnostics, were used as reference techniques. Results. Mikrogen Diagnostik recomLine SARS-CoV-2 IgG shows the best results (S=0.985; E=0.839). Three techniques offered good positive predictive values, but Realy Tech and Healgen negative predictive values left to be desired. Conclusions. Mikrogen Diagnostik recomLine SARS-CoV-2 IgG showed good results in the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and could be used as an alternative to automated techniques. (AU)

Analysis of Adverse Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines in Spain following Booster Dose.

The present study evaluates the adverse effects of three vaccines: AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax) according to the dose. From 733 participants collected, the vaccine schedule was as follows: 330 (45%) received a double dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, 382 (52.1%) received a double dose of Pfizer, 18 (2.5%) received a heterologous prime boost and 3 (0.4%) received a single dose. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were administered as a third dose in 70 and 121 individuals, respectively. Local and systemic reactions observed in the three vaccines were mild to moderate in severity. Only one AstraZeneca recipient (0.3%) presented a serious adverse effect: blurred vision. Adverse events were more frequent after the first dose of AstraZeneca and after the second dose of Pfizer. As the third dose, Moderna causes more adverse effects than Pfizer regardless of the type of vaccine previously administered, whereas the reactogenicity of a third dose of Pfizer is slightly higher in the group previously vaccinated with Pfizer than in that group with AstraZeneca. In short, secondary effects of the third dose of COVID-19 vaccines were similar to those after dose 2, but their frequency depends on the type of vaccine and the combinations of vaccines.

Update in infectious diseases 2019

The IX Course of Antimicrobials and Infectious Diseases update included a review of the main issues in clinical microbiology, epidemiology and clinical aspects for a current approach of infectious pathology. The present introduction summarizes about the most important meetings related to infectious diseases during 2018 (ECCMID, IAS, ASM and ID Week). In addition, the course provides a practical information to focus on nosocomial infection models, with immunosuppressed patients or complex multidrug-resistant pathogens. The closing lecture of this year reviewed the infection during donation process

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