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COMPARISON OF HOME ANTIGEN TESTING WITH RT-PCR AND VIRAL CULTURE DURING THE COURSE OF SARS-COV-2 INFECTION
In this prospective cohort study of 225 adults and children with reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)–confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, antigen test sensitivity was 64% and 84% when compared with same-day RT-PCR and viral culture, respectively.
The study results suggest that symptomatic individuals with an initial negative home antigen test result for SARS-CoV-2 infection should test again 1 to 2 days later because test sensitivity seems to peak several days after illness onset.
Full Access: JAMA
“LONG COVID” CAUSED BY HIGH LEVELS OF VIRUS-SPECIFIC T CELLS
Approximately 20-30% of people who contract COVID-19 develop post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). A recent study, published in PLOS Pathogens, compared the frequencies of COVID-19-specific T cells and inflammatory markers with lung function in patients who had either pulmonary PASC or resolved COVID-19. In the long COVID patients, higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 T cells were correlated with higher levels of inflammation, indicating T cells could be driving these and other symptoms.
Full Access: Contagion live
INTERIM ANALYSIS OF ACUTE HEPATITIS OF UNKNOWN ETIOLOGY IN CHILDREN AGED <10 YEARS — UNITED STATES, OCTOBER 2021–JUNE 2022
The CDC released an interim analysis of acute hepatitis in children between October 2021 and June 2022 in its June 24 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report showing adenovirus infection in about 45% of cases and a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection in about 26%. The study included data on 123 cases. As of June 22, the CDC reported 305 patients under investigation in 42 states and territories, including 11 deaths, and 20 liver transplants.
Full Access: CDC
CLINICAL TRIAL: A CONTROLLED TRIAL OF BACLOFEN ADD-ON THERAPY IN PPI-REFRACTORY GASTRO-ESOPHAGEAL REFLUX SYMPTOMS
Baclofen, a γ-aminobutyric acid agonist, can decrease non-acid reflux but its symptomatic benefit in refractory GERD symptoms is understudied. Patients with persisting typical GERD symptoms on b.i.d. PPI therapy were randomized to 4 weeks of baclofen. Baclofen decreases several reflux parameters in PPI refractory GERD symptoms, but pH-impedance monitoring is necessary before treatment as only Symptoms Association Probability SAP+ patients experience clinical benefit after 4 weeks.
Full Access: AP&T