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Solutions Using Machine Learning for COVID-19
Published in Punit Gupta, Dinesh Kumar Saini, Rohit Verma, Healthcare Solutions Using Machine Learning and Informatics, 2023
Muhammad Shafi, Kashif Zia, Jabar H. Yousif
Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the most effective and widely used tool for diagnosis of COVID-19. However, there are some challenges with RT-PCR test such as high cost, supply shortages, a sizable false negative rate, and the fact that it is time-consuming. Therefore, researchers are seeking alternate mechanisms for the diagnosis of COVID-19 without RT-PCR test. These attempts can be broadly classified into two groups.
HIV/AIDS
Published in Patricia G. Melloy, Viruses and Society, 2023
To determine if someone has acquired HIV, several different tests are available. For many years, antibody-based tests such as an ELISA and western blot analysis have been used to detect antibodies against HIV in a person’s blood (Minkoff and Baker 2004). Antibody tests have been available since 1985 (Alexander 2016; UNAIDS 2021a). A PCR test is also available (Cloyd 1996). PCR is a type of nucleic acid–based test. In general, antibody-based tests, nucleic acid–based tests, and tests detecting both HIV antigen and antibodies against HIV can now be done. Rapid tests are available for detecting antibodies as well as antigens and antibodies (CDC 2021c). If someone does test positive for HIV, the current recommended course of treatment is to begin antiretroviral therapy (WHO 2021b).
Epidemiology of COVID-19
Published in Srijan Goswami, Chiranjeeb Dey, COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2, 2022
Rehab A. Rayan, Christos Tsagkaris, Imran Zafar, Aikaterini Tata
These samples should be collected and shipped at 2–8°C immediately within one to five days for the authorized laboratory. In rectal, semen, and saliva swabs, the COVID-19 virus was contained but not in urine (To et al., 2020). In addition to molecular research, sequencing observations can also be used as an aid in the identification of mutations in the viral genome, and improvements in molecular testing can also be carried out (World Health Organization, 2020). Moreover, other serological experiments are carried out but must be checked as a counterpart to the RT-PCR test.
Use of the speed achieved on the 6MWT for programming aerobic training in patients recovering from severe COVID-19: an observational study
Published in Annals of Medicine, 2023
María Fernanda del Valle, Jorge Valenzuela, Gabriel Nasri Marzuca-Nassr, Loretto Godoy, Mariano del Sol, Pablo A. Lizana, Máximo Escobar-Cabello, Rodrigo Muñoz-Cofré
Observational quasi-experimental study. Patients diagnosed severe COVID-19 were studied. The PR program is a routine procedure given to all patients recovering from Covid-19. However, for research purposes, patients who were part of the PR program were enrolled from January to April 2021. Inclusion criteria were: (a) diagnosis of COVID-19 through a positive PCR test, (b) MV required with orotracheal intubation, (c) medical discharge from hospital, (d) follow-up with cardiologist and normal electrocardiogram and (e) under health supervision (Hospital El Carmen in Maipú, Santiago, Chile). Patients who did not understand orders were excluded. This study is part of a large-scale project that aims to determine the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on post-severe COVID-19 patients and already has previous publications. In this sense, the present research (i) details the incremental test (IT) and continuous test (CT) and their usefulness in programming training loads, (ii) shows how these tests also serve to determine the effects of training and (iii) are an objective tool that makes it possible to reprogram aerobic training loads during a RP program. The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration and approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Central Metropolitan Health Service (protocol code N° 392/2021). The participants read and signed an informed consent prior to admission to the PR program.
Monkeypox: another pandemic in the making?
Published in Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 2023
Prinay Sohal, Aakanksha Gupta, Shefali Gupta, Vasu Gupta, Ridhimaa Jain, Rohit Jain
Unlike the case of COVID-19 in 2020, several laboratory methods are already available for diagnosing monkeypox infection, including viral isolation, molecular diagnosis, immunohistochemistry in tissues, serology, electron microscopy, and real-time PCR.10,32–39 Specimens of rash, crusts, blister fluid, or nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal secretions are collected; Vero cell lines infected with the specimen are then grown in a virus growth medium for isolation and identification of the virus. Round-oval intracytoplasmic inclusions may be observed under an electron microscope with centrally located sausage-shaped structures. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence can be used to assist in the diagnosis of monkeypox, and serological assays are mainly used for epidemiological investigation.30 As orthopoxviruses are serologically cross-reactive, antigen and antibody detection methods do not provide monkeypox-specific confirmation.13 PCR is the preferred laboratory test due to its high accuracy and sensitivity. For this, diagnostic samples from skin lesions are required and must be stored in a cold, dry, and sterile environment.13 PCR tests from blood samples are usually inconclusive, as the virus cannot survive in the blood for long.13 The date of development of fever, rash, current stage of rash, patient age, and specimen collection are all needed to interpret test findings.40
Noninvasive Diagnosis of Viral Keratouveitis with Retro-corneal Endothelial Plaques: A Case Series
Published in Ocular Immunology and Inflammation, 2022
Shuo Yu, Debo You, Rupesh Agrawal, Yun Feng
Diagnosis of herpetic keratouvetis is facilitated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for virus detection in the aqueous humor. Although PCR for HSV endotheliitis is helpful for diagnosis, collection of the aqueous humor is an invasive procedure with potential complications. Therefore, not all patients consent to anterior chamber paracentesis. In addition, because of the presence of a shallow anterior chamber in the Asian population, the total volume of the aqueous humor is sometimes insufficient or inadequate for the minimum requirements for PCR examination. Furthermore, PCR tests can take 48–72 hours, which can further delay the diagnosis and appropriate intervention. Thus, testing of aqueous humor can be a potential limitation for the prompt diagnosis of infectious keratitis, especially in patients with a shallow anterior chamber.