ABSTRACT
We evaluated the performance of the STANDARD Q COVID/FLU Ag Combo test (Q Ag combo test) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B using a single point-of-care device compared with real-time PCR. A total of 408 individuals, 55 positives with SARS-CoV-2, 90 with influenza A, 68 with influenza B, and 195 negatives for all viruses, participated. The Q Ag combo test demonstrated a high level of sensitivity of 92.73% and a specificity of 99.49% for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. When the number of days from symptom onset (DSO) was restricted to 0 < DSO ≤ 6, the sensitivity of the Q Ag combo test to detect SARS-CoV-2 was 100%, and when the Ct value of RdRp was ≤20, the sensitivity to detect SARS-CoV-2 was 93.10%. The Q Ag combo test results also demonstrated a sensitivity of 92.22% and a specificity of 100% for influenza A, a sensitivity of 91.18%, and a specificity of 99.49% for influenza B. The agreement analysis of the Q Ag combo test with the RT-PCR results demonstrated excellent outcomes, making it useful and efficient for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B.
ABSTRACT
Background: Pseudotyped virus systems that incorporate viral proteins have been widely employed for the rapid determination of the effectiveness and neutralizing activity of drug and vaccine candidates in biosafety level 2 facilities. We report an efficient method for producing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pseudovirus with dual luciferase and fluorescent protein reporters. Moreover, using the established method, we also aimed to investigate whether Korean red ginseng (KRG), a valuable Korean herbal medicine, can attenuate infectivity of the pseudotyped virus. Methods: A pseudovirus of SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-2pv) was constructed and efficiently produced using lentivirus vector systems available in the public domain by the introduction of critical mutations in the cytoplasmic tail of the spike protein. KRG extract was dose-dependently treated to Calu-3 cells during SARS2-pv treatment to evaluate the protective activity against SARS-CoV-2. Results: The use of Calu-3 cells or the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in HEK293T cells enabled SARS-2pv infection of host cells. Coexpression of transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), which is the activator of spike protein, with ACE2 dramatically elevated luciferase activity, confirming the importance of the TMPRSS2-mediated pathway during SARS-CoV-2 entry. Our pseudovirus assay also revealed that KRG elicited resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung cells, suggesting its beneficial health effect. Conclusion: The method demonstrated the production of SARS-2pv for the analysis of vaccine or drug candidates. When KRG was assessed by the method, it protected host cells from coronavirus infection. Further studies will be followed for demonstrating this potential benefit.
ABSTRACT
In response to the global spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), many countries have expanded access to non-contact healthcare. This study aimed to investigate the current state of non-contact healthcare in developed countries before and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and examine the potential clinical and political implications applicable to Korea. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, non-contact healthcare was provided to a limited extent. However, given the surge in COVID-19 cases, countries have lifted the restrictions on non-contact healthcare by expanding eligibility to patients and providers and the range of services. Countries that were slow to implement non-contact healthcare before the pandemic experienced a paradigm shift. Non-contact healthcare has advantages in maintaining essential health services while protecting patients and providers from viral infections. In Korea, non-contact healthcare was regarded as a business sector, so it has not been formally discussed from a public health standpoint. Given this global urgency, discussions should begin surrounding how to best utilize non-contact healthcare, considering the values, safety, and efficacy from the perspective of continuity of patient care. Non-contact healthcare should shift to utilizing a patient-centered approach. The step-by-step strategic planning of non-contact healthcare is imperative for ensuring value, quality, equity, and safety of services.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Delivery of Health Care , Disease Outbreaks , Humans , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea has temporarily expanded coverage of teleconsultation to ensure access to essential health services. As a preliminary study, we investigated service utilization patterns and the characteristics of doctors and patients involved in these temporary teleconsultation services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using national health insurance claims data from February 23, 2020 to June 30, 2020 from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 228269875 cases were identified. Among them, 567390 cases that received teleconsultation services were included in our study. We performed descriptive analyses according to the types of healthcare institutions. RESULTS: In total, 6193 healthcare institutions provided teleconsultation. Of these, 5466 (88.3%) were clinics. Physicians providing teleconsultations were most likely to be doctors of internal medicine (34.0%) or pediatricians (7.0%) and based in the Seoul Metropolitan area (30.4%). In terms of patients undergoing teleconsultation, the most common major disease categories treated were circulatory system diseases (I00-I99). In a detailed analysis, hypertensive diseases (I10-I15) were the most common diagnoses, with a total of 88726 cases (15.6%), followed by diabetes mellitus at 60298 cases (10.6%). The proportion of Medical Aid recipients receiving teleconsultations was higher (9.5%) than other socioeconomic groups. Among all participants, 356622 cases (84.6%) were from a return visit, and 108838 cases (19.2%) received teleconsultation services without being prescribed drugs. CONCLUSION: Temporarily allowed teleconsultation services were provided mostly to the following patients: 1) those scheduled for revisitation, 2) those with chronic diseases, and 3) those living in pandemic hotspots.