A5013201074- Respiratory viral infections research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Virus-based gene therapy research
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Electrowetting and Microfluidic Technologies
- Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Microfluidic and Capillary Electrophoresis Applications
- Parvovirus B19 Infection Studies
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
Provincial Laboratory of Public Health
2012-2024
New York Proton Center
2022
Communities In Schools of Orange County
2022
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
2022
Oregon Medical Research Center
2022
Lindsay Unified School District
2022
University of Pittsburgh
2022
Calgary Laboratory Services
2022
Alberta Hospital Edmonton
2021
Foothills Medical Centre
2020-2021
A woman who recently traveled to Thailand came a local emergency department with fever and papular rash. She was tested for measles, malaria, dengue. Positive finding IgM antibody against dengue failure seroconvert IgG multiple blood samples suggested an alternate flavivirus etiology. Amplification of conserved region the non-structural protein 5 gene genus Flavivirus yielded polymerase chain reaction product matching sequence 99% identity Zika virus. urine sample nasopharygeal swab specimen...
COVID-19 is diagnosed via detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using real time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rtRT-PCR). Performance many rtRT-PCR assays not entirely known due to the lack a gold standard. We sought evaluate false negative rate (FNR) and sensitivity our laboratory-developed targeting envelope (E) RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) genes. results at Public Health Laboratory (Alberta, Canada) from January 21 April 18, 2020 were reviewed identify patients with an...
We have developed a single-tube assay for SARS-CoV-2 in patient samples. This combined advantages of reverse transcription (RT) loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and the CRISPR-associated (Cas) enzyme Cas12a. Our is able to detect single tube within 40 min, requiring only temperature control (62 °C). The RT-LAMP reagents were added sample vial, while CRISPR Cas12a deposited onto lid vial. After half-hour...
The recent advances in large-scale monitoring of gene expression raise the challenge mapping systems on basis kinetic data living cells. To address this, we measured promoter activity flagellar system Escherichia coli at high accuracy and temporal resolution by means reporter plasmids. genes pathway were ordered analysis algorithms without dependence mutant strains. observed program transcription was much more detailed than previously thought associated with multiple steps flagella assembly.
ABSTRACT Detection of respiratory viruses using sensitive real-time nucleic acid amplification tests (NATs) is invaluable for patient and outbreak management. However, the wide range potential virus pathogens makes testing individual NATs expensive laborious. The objective this study was to compare detection targets Luminex xTAG viral panel (RVP) assay with used at Provincial Laboratory Public Health, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. included 1,530 specimens submitted diagnosis infections from...
CRISPR-Cas systems integrated with nucleic acid amplification techniques improve both analytical specificity and sensitivity. We describe here issues solutions for the successful integration of reverse transcription (RT), recombinase polymerase (RPA), CRISPR-Cas12a nuclease reactions into a single tube under an isothermal condition (40 °C). Specific detection few copies viral DNA sequence was achieved in less than 20 min. However, sensitivity orders magnitude lower RNA due to slow initiation...
To explore the potential modes of Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, we collected 535 diverse clinical and environmental samples from 75 infected hospitalized community patients. Infectious SARS-CoV-2 with quantitative burdens varying 5 plaque-forming units/mL (PFU/mL) up to 1.0 × 10
Nucleic acid tests are sensitive and specific provide a rapid diagnosis, making them invaluable for patient outbreak management. Multiplex PCR assays have additional advantages in providing an economical comprehensive panel many common respiratory viruses. Previous reports shown the utility of xTAG viral (RVP) assay manufactured by Luminex Molecular Diagnostics this purpose. A newer generation kit, released Canada early 2010, is designed to simplify procedure reduce turnaround time about 24...
Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 has become a promising tool to estimate population-level changes in community infections and the prevalence COVID-19 disease. Although many studies have reported detection quantification wastewater, remarkable variation remains methodology. In this study, we validated molecular testing method by concentrating viruses from wastewater using ultrafiltration detecting one-step RT-qPCR assay. The following parameters were optimized including sample storage...
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have emerged as a global threat to the COVID-19 pandemic response. We implemented combined approach quickly detect known VOCs while continuously monitoring for evolving mutations virus. To rapidly VOCs, two real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assays were designed and implemented, targeting spike gene H69/V70 deletion N501Y mutation. The mutation demonstrated accuracies 98.3% (95% CI 93.8 99.8) 100% 96.8 100), limits detection 1,089 294 copies/ml, percent...
Abstract Human adenoviruses (hAdVs) are associated with acute respiratory tract infections in pediatric populations and have been identified as a cause of outbreaks institutional settings. Rapid diagnosis hAdV infection is critical for appropriate timely management. This study reports the design validation sensitive specific multiplex real‐time PCR detection broad range serotypes samples. The assay targets conserved region hexon gene utilizes hydrolysis probes amplified products. was...
Tracking novel influenza viruses which have the potential to cause pandemics, such as pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus, is a public health priority. Pandemic virus was first identified in Mexico April and spread worldwide over short period of time. Well-validated diagnostic tools that are rapid, sensitive, specific for detection tracking this needed. Three real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assays amplification were developed, their performance characteristics compared with those other...
The nature of influenza viral shedding during naturally acquired infection is not well understood.A cohort study was conducted in Hutterite colonies Alberta, Canada. Flocked nasal swabs were collected 3 seasons (2007-2008 to 2009-2010) from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals infected with influenza. Samples tested by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction for A B, the load (VL) determined positive samples.Eight hundred thirty-nine participants included cohort;...
The recent emergence and rapid global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) demonstrates the urgent need for laboratory-developed assays clinical diagnosis public health interventions in absence commercial assays.We outline progression reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) that were developed validated at Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Alberta, Canada, to respond this pandemic. Initially, testing was performed...
The emergence of norovirus genotype GII.4 variants has been associated with gastroenteritis pandemics worldwide, prompting molecular surveillance for early detection novel strains. In this study, we aimed to analyze the outbreak activity and characterize strains circulating in Alberta between July 2012 February 2018.Stool samples from outbreaks were tested at Provincial Laboratory Public Health using a multiplex real time-RT PCR assay. ORF1 ORF2-genotypes positive assigned based on...
Abstract Background Risk factors for nosocomial COVID-19 outbreaks continue to evolve. The aim of this study was investigate a multi-ward outbreak between 1st September and 15th November 2020, occurring in setting without vaccination any healthcare workers or patients. Methods Outbreak report retrospective, matched case–control using incidence density sampling three cardiac wards an 1100-bed tertiary teaching hospital Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Patients were confirmed/probable cases...
Full-genome analysis was conducted on the first isolate of a highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus from human in North America. The has hemagglutinin gene clade 2.3.2.1c and is reassortant with an H9N2 subtype lineage polymerase basic 2 gene. No mutations conferring resistance to adamantanes or neuraminidase inhibitors were found.
In the late summer and fall of 2014, province Alberta, Canada (4.1 million people), was in midst peak entero-rhinovirus (ERV) activity, as descriptions enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) activity were being publicized ([1][1], [2][2]). This analysis undertaken with several goals: (i) to
An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel (severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) began in Wuhan, Hubei, China, December and spread rapidly worldwide. The response the Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory (ProvLab), AB, Canada, included development implementation nucleic acid detection-based assays dynamic changes testing protocols for identification cases as epidemic curve increased exponentially. This rapid was essential to slow...
In a previous study, new flavivirus genome sequence was identified in Culex tarsalis mosquitoes obtained Alberta, Canada and shown to be genetically related but distinct from members of the insect-specific flaviviruses. Nonstructural protein 5–encoding sequences amplified Cx. pools western have high similarity novel flaviviruses isolated California Colorado. Despite wide distribution this virus, designated Calbertado strains demonstrate degree nonstructural 5 nucleotide (> 90%) amino acid...