New diagnostic technologies in laboratory medicine: Potential benefits and challenges.

Laboratory tests play a central role in medicine, as they help to make diagnoses, assess prognosis, risk of disease, and monitor therapies, thus contributing to 70% of all medical decisions. This cross-sectional function offers great potential for technological and organizational innovation to influence healthcare as a whole. In recent years, a variety of technologies have emerged and entered the field of medical research, or even medical care. A new generation of biosensors allows the determination of laboratory tests at the point-of-care and enables faster medical decisions. Recent devices allow for patient-centric blood sampling, which eliminates the need for painful blood draws, patient traveling, and the workload of healthcare professionals. Analytical techniques such as metabolomics, lipidomics or proteomics can identify biomarkers extremely sensitively, even down to individual cells. Pharmacogenomics allows the determination of genetic polymorphisms that predict the response to chemotherapeutic agents. Machine-learning approaches can handle large amounts of multi-layered data for diagnostic applications. However, this enormous diagnostic potential is far from being utilized and only very few applications have been implemented in clinical practice. Why is this the case? In this article, we describe the key technology fields, discuss their medical potential and obstacles to their implementation. In addition, we present a methodological framework to support researchers, clinicians and authorities in the development and implementation of novel diagnostic approaches.

Evaluation of Posaconazole Serum Concentrations Achieved With Delayed-release Tablets and Oral Suspension in Patients Undergoing Intensive Chemotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Data on posaconazole serum levels of patients on prophylaxis with delayed-release tablets or oral suspension during intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome are scarce. In this analysis, the proportion of patients with acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome achieving posaconazole target concentrations with delayed-release tablets was higher than with oral suspension.

Safety and Efficacy of High-Dose Chemotherapy with TreoMel 200 vs. TreoMel 140 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation.

(1) Background: Treosulfan and melphalan (TreoMel)-based high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) has shown promising safety and efficacy as a conditioning regimen for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). However, despite intensive first-line induction treatment and upfront consolidation with HDCT and ASCT, AML relapse rates are still high, and further efforts are needed to improve patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare two melphalan dose schedules in regard to the safety of TreoMel HDCT and patient outcomes. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the safety and efficacy of two melphalan dose schedules combined with standard-dose treosulfan in AML patients undergoing HDCT and ASCT at the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland, between August 2019 and August 2023. Patients received treosulfan 42 g/m2 combined with either melphalan 140 mg/m2 (TreoMel 140) or melphalan 200 mg/m2 (TreoMel 200). Co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), as well as safety profile. (3) Results: We included a total of 51 AML patients: 31 (60.8%) received TreoMel 140 and 20 (39.2%) TreoMel 200. The patients' basal characteristics were comparable between both cohorts. No significant differences in the duration of hospitalization or the adverse event profile were identified. There were no statistically significant differences in relapse (0.45 vs. 0.30, p = 0.381) and mortality rates (0.42 vs. 0.15, p = 0.064) between the melphalan 140 mg/m2 and 200 mg/m2 cohorts, nor for PFS (HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.29-2.28, p = 0.70) or OS (HR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.19-2.57, p = 0.59) for the TreoMel 140 vs. TreoMel 200 cohort. (4) Conclusions: A higher dose of melphalan (TreoMel 200) was well tolerated overall. No statistically significant differences for patient outcomes could be observed, possibly due to the relatively small patient cohort and the short follow-up. A longer follow-up and prospective randomized studies would be required to confirm the safety profile and clinical benefit.

The gut microbiome and HLA-B27-associated anterior uveitis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The human gut microbiome (GM) is involved in inflammation and immune response regulation. Dysbiosis, an imbalance in this ecosystem, facilitates pathogenic invasion, disrupts immune equilibrium, and potentially triggers diseases including various human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27-associated autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and spondyloarthropathy (SpA). This study assesses compositional and functional alterations of the GM in patients with HLA-B27-associated non-infectious anterior uveitis (AU) compared to healthy controls. METHODS: The gut metagenomes of 20 patients with HLA-B27-associated non-infectious AU, 21 age- and sex-matched HLA-B27-negative controls, and 6 HLA-B27-positive healthy controls without a history of AU were sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform for whole metagenome shotgun sequencing. To identify taxonomic and functional features with significantly different relative abundances between groups and to identify associations with clinical metadata, the multivariate association by linear models (MaAsLin) R package was applied. RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of the Eubacterium ramulus species were found in HLA-B27-negative controls (p = 0.0085, Mann-Whitney U-test). No significant differences in microbial composition were observed at all other taxonomic levels. Functionally, the lipid IVA biosynthesis pathway was upregulated in patients (p < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U-test). A subgroup analysis comparing patients with an active non-infectious AU to their age- and sex-matched HLA-B27-negative controls, showed an increase of the species Phocaeicola vulgatus in active AU (p = 0.0530, Mann-Whitney U-test). An additional analysis comparing AU patients to age- and sex-matched HLA-B27-positive controls, showed an increase of the species Bacteroides caccae in controls (p = 0.0022, Mann-Whitney U-test). CONCLUSION: In our cohort, non-infectious AU development is associated with compositional and functional alterations of the GM. Further research is needed to assess the causality of these associations, offering potentially novel therapeutic strategies.

Germline cis variant determines epigenetic regulation of the anti-cancer drug metabolism gene dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD).

Enhancers are critical for regulating tissue-specific gene expression, and genetic variants within enhancer regions have been suggested to contribute to various cancer-related processes, including therapeutic resistance. However, the precise mechanisms remain elusive. Using a well-defined drug-gene pair, we identified an enhancer region for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD, DPYD gene) expression that is relevant to the metabolism of the anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Using reporter systems, CRISPR genome-edited cell models, and human liver specimens, we demonstrated in vitro and vivo that genotype status for the common germline variant (rs4294451; 27% global minor allele frequency) located within this novel enhancer controls DPYD transcription and alters resistance to 5-FU. The variant genotype increases recruitment of the transcription factor CEBPB to the enhancer and alters the level of direct interactions between the enhancer and DPYD promoter. Our data provide insight into the regulatory mechanisms controlling sensitivity and resistance to 5-FU.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene variants for predicting grade 4-5 fluoropyrimidine-induced toxicity: FUSAFE individual patient data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency is the main known cause of life-threatening fluoropyrimidine (FP)-induced toxicities. We conducted a meta-analysis on individual patient data to assess the contribution of deleterious DPYD variants *2A/D949V/*13/HapB3 (recommended by EMA) and clinical factors, for predicting G4-5 toxicity. METHODS: Study eligibility criteria included recruitment of Caucasian patients without DPD-based FP-dose adjustment. Main endpoint was 12-week haematological or digestive G4-5 toxicity. The value of DPYD variants *2A/p.D949V/*13 merged, HapB3, and MIR27A rs895819 was evaluated using multivariable logistic models (AUC). RESULTS: Among 25 eligible studies, complete clinical variables and primary endpoint were available in 15 studies (8733 patients). Twelve-week G4-5 toxicity prevalence was 7.3% (641 events). The clinical model included age, sex, body mass index, schedule of FP-administration, concomitant anticancer drugs. Adding *2A/p.D949V/*13 variants (at least one allele, prevalence 2.2%, OR 9.5 [95%CI 6.7-13.5]) significantly improved the model (p < 0.0001). The addition of HapB3 (prevalence 4.0%, 98.6% heterozygous), in spite of significant association with toxicity (OR 1.8 [95%CI 1.2-2.7]), did not improve the model. MIR27A rs895819 was not associated with toxicity, irrespective of DPYD variants. CONCLUSIONS: FUSAFE meta-analysis highlights the major relevance of DPYD *2A/p.D949V/*13 combined with clinical variables to identify patients at risk of very severe FP-related toxicity.

Increased erythroferrone levels in malarial anaemia.

We assessed the diagnostic potential of erythroferrone as a biomarker for iron homeostasis comparing iron deficiency cases with anaemia of inflammation and controls. The dysregulation of the hepcidin axis was observed by Latour et al. in a mouse model of malarial anaemia induced by prolonged Plasmodium infection leading to increased erythroferrone concentrations. In line with that, we found significantly higher erythroferrone levels in cases with malaria and anaemia in an African population, compared to asymptomatic controls. Therefore, our findings extend the previous ones of the mouse model, suggesting also a dysregulation of the hepcidin axis in humans, which should be further corroborated in prospective studies and may lay the basis for the development of improved treatment strategies according to ERFE concentrations in such patients.

Germline cis variant determines epigenetic regulation of the anti-cancer drug metabolism gene dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD).

Enhancers are critical for regulating tissue-specific gene expression, and genetic variants within enhancer regions have been suggested to contribute to various cancer-related processes, including therapeutic resistance. However, the precise mechanisms remain elusive. Using a well-defined drug-gene pair, we identified an enhancer region for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD, DPYD gene) expression that is relevant to the metabolism of the anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Using reporter systems, CRISPR genome edited cell models, and human liver specimens, we demonstrated in vitro and vivo that genotype status for the common germline variant (rs4294451; 27% global minor allele frequency) located within this novel enhancer controls DPYD transcription and alters resistance to 5-FU. The variant genotype increases recruitment of the transcription factor CEBPB to the enhancer and alters the level of direct interactions between the enhancer and DPYD promoter. Our data provide insight into the regulatory mechanisms controlling sensitivity and resistance to 5-FU.

Using the PharmCAT tool for Pharmacogenetic clinical decision support.

Here, we will provide our insights into the usage of PharmCAT as part of a pharmacogenetic clinical decision support pipeline, which addresses the challenges in mapping clinical dosing guidelines to variants to be extracted from genetic datasets. After a general outline of pharmacogenetics, we describe some features of PharmCAT and how we integrated it into a pharmacogenetic clinical decision support system within a clinical information system. We conclude with promising developments regarding future PharmCAT releases.

Exploring the host factors affecting asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection: insights from a rural Burkina Faso study.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia forms a reservoir for the transmission of malaria disease in West Africa. Certain haemoglobin variants are known to protect against severe malaria infection. However, data on the potential roles of haemoglobin variants and nongenetic factors in asymptomatic malaria infection is scarce and controversial. Therefore, this study investigated the associations of iron homeostasis, inflammation, nutrition, and haemoglobin mutations with parasitaemia in an asymptomatic cohort from a P. falciparum-endemic region during the high transmission season. METHODS: A sub-study population of 688 asymptomatic individuals (predominantly children and adolescents under 15 years, n = 516) from rural Burkina Faso previously recruited by the NOVAC trial (NCT03176719) between June and October 2017 was analysed. Parasitaemia was quantified with conventional haemocytometry. The haemoglobin genotype was determined by reverse hybridization assays targeting a selection of 21 HBA and 22 HBB mutations. Demographics, inflammatory markers (interleukins 6 and 10, hepcidin), nutritional status (mid upper-arm circumference and body mass index), and anaemia (total haemoglobin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor) were assessed as potential predictors through logistic regression. RESULTS: Malaria parasites were detected in 56% of subjects. Parasitaemia was associated most strongly with malnutrition. The effect size increased with malnutrition severity (OR = 6.26, CI95: 2.45-19.4, p < 0.001). Furthermore, statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) with age, cytokines, hepcidin and heterozygous haemoglobin S were observed. CONCLUSIONS: According to these findings, asymptomatic parasitaemia is attenuated by haemoglobin S, but not by any of the other detected genotypes. Aside from evidence for slight iron imbalance, overall undernutrition was found to predict parasitaemia; thus, further investigations are required to elucidate causality and inform strategies for interventions.

Investigation of Different Library Preparation and Tissue of Origin Deconvolution Methods for Urine and Plasma cfDNA Methylome Analysis.

Methylation sequencing is a promising approach to infer the tissue of origin of cell-free DNA (cfDNA). In this study, a single- and a double-stranded library preparation approach were evaluated with respect to their technical biases when applied on cfDNA from plasma and urine. Additionally, tissue of origin (TOO) proportions were evaluated using two deconvolution methods. Sequencing cfDNA from urine using the double-stranded method resulted in a substantial within-read methylation bias and a lower global methylation (56.0% vs. 75.8%, p ≤ 0.0001) compared to plasma cfDNA, both of which were not observed with the single-stranded approach. Individual CpG site-based TOO deconvolution resulted in a significantly increased proportion of undetermined TOO with the double-stranded method (urine: 32.3% vs. 1.9%; plasma: 5.9% vs. 0.04%; p ≤ 0.0001), but no major differences in proportions of individual cell types. In contrast, fragment-level deconvolution led to multiple cell types, with significantly different TOO proportions between the two methods. This study thus outlines potential limitations of double-stranded library preparation for methylation analysis of cfDNA especially for urinary cfDNA. While the double-stranded method allows jagged end analysis in addition to TOO analysis, it leads to significant methylation bias in urinary cfDNA, which single-stranded methods can overcome.

Efficacy and Safety of High-Dose Chemotherapy with Treosulfan and Melphalan in Multiple Myeloma.

(1) Background: Upfront treatment consolidation with high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has relevantly contributed to achieving durable remissions following induction treatment in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The optimization of HDCT regimens can, therefore, essentially contribute to improving the depth and duration of tumor remissions. To date, melphalan at 200 mg/m2 is the standard HDCT regimen for fit MM patients. In our previous work, we showed promising efficacy and safety results for treosulfan (14 g/m2) and melphalan (200 mg/m2) (TreoMel) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients receiving ASCT. Based on these data, TreoMel became the standard of care for fit MM patients at our institution. (2) Methods: We identified 115 consecutive MM patients who underwent consolidation with TreoMel between 01/2020 and 08/2022 at the University Hospital of Bern. We analyzed the safety and efficacy data, as well as the treosulfan pharmacokinetics, correlating them with tumor responses. (3) Results: A complete response (CR) rate of 84% was achieved, which is comparable to the CR rate reported for the quadruplet combination. The median PFS was 30 months (95% CI: 20.4-not reached), and the 31-month OS rate was 83%. The median area under the curve (AUC) for treosulfan was 952.5 mg*h/L (range: 527.4-1781.4), and the median peak level was 332.3 mg/L (range: 168-554). The treosulfan pharmacokinetics showed no significant correlation with MM responses after HDCT and ASCT. However, female patients had a significantly higher AUC (p = 0.007) and peak value (p = 0.001), and the higher values were associated with longer hospitalizations. (4) Conclusions: Treatment consolidation with TreoMel HDCT demonstrated a promising efficacy and safety profile in our cohort of MM patients and deserves further investigation in prospective studies.

Comparison of methods for donor-derived cell-free DNA quantification in plasma and urine from solid organ transplant recipients.

In allograft monitoring of solid organ transplant recipients, liquid biopsy has emerged as a novel approach using quantification of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in plasma. Despite early clinical implementation and analytical validation of techniques, direct comparisons of dd-cfDNA quantification methods are lacking. Furthermore, data on dd-cfDNA in urine is scarce and high-throughput sequencing-based methods so far have not leveraged unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) for absolute dd-cfDNA quantification. Different dd-cfDNA quantification approaches were compared in urine and plasma of kidney and liver recipients: A) Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) using allele-specific detection of seven common HLA-DRB1 alleles and the Y chromosome; B) high-throughput sequencing (HTS) using a custom QIAseq DNA panel targeting 121 common polymorphisms; and C) a commercial dd-cfDNA quantification method (AlloSeq® cfDNA, CareDx). Dd-cfDNA was quantified as %dd-cfDNA, and for ddPCR and HTS using UMIs additionally as donor copies. In addition, relative and absolute dd-cfDNA levels in urine and plasma were compared in clinically stable recipients. The HTS method presented here showed a strong correlation of the %dd-cfDNA with ddPCR (R 2 = 0.98) and AlloSeq® cfDNA (R 2 = 0.99) displaying only minimal to no proportional bias. Absolute dd-cfDNA copies also correlated strongly (τ = 0.78) between HTS with UMI and ddPCR albeit with substantial proportional bias (slope: 0.25; 95%-CI: 0.19-0.26). Among 30 stable kidney transplant recipients, the median %dd-cfDNA in urine was 39.5% (interquartile range, IQR: 21.8-58.5%) with 36.6 copies/µmol urinary creatinine (IQR: 18.4-109) and 0.19% (IQR: 0.01-0.43%) with 5.0 copies/ml (IQR: 1.8-12.9) in plasma without any correlation between body fluids. The median %dd-cfDNA in plasma from eight stable liver recipients was 2.2% (IQR: 0.72-4.1%) with 120 copies/ml (IQR: 85.0-138) while the median dd-cfDNA copies/ml was below 0.1 in urine. This first head-to-head comparison of methods for absolute and relative quantification of dd-cfDNA in urine and plasma supports a method-independent %dd-cfDNA cutoff and indicates the suitability of the presented HTS method for absolute dd-cfDNA quantification using UMIs. To evaluate the utility of dd-cfDNA in urine for allograft surveillance, absolute levels instead of relative amounts will most likely be required given the extensive variability of %dd-cfDNA in stable kidney recipients.

Population pharmacokinetic analyses of regorafenib and capecitabine in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (SAKK 41/16 RECAP).

AIMS: Locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is an area of unmet medical need with one third of patients dying from their disease. With response to neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy being a major prognostic factor, trial SAKK 41/16 assessed potential benefits of adding regorafenib to capecitabine-amplified neoadjuvant radiotherapy in LARC patients. METHODS: Patients received regorafenib at three dose levels (40/80/120 mg once daily) combined with capecitabine 825 mg/m2 bidaily and local radiotherapy. We developed population pharmacokinetic models from plasma concentrations of capecitabine and its metabolites 5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine and 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine as well as regorafenib and its metabolites M-2 and M-5 as implemented into SAKK 41/16 to assess potential drug-drug interactions (DDI). After establishing parent-metabolite base models, drug exposure parameters were tested as covariates within the respective models to investigate for potential DDI. Simulation analyses were conducted to quantify their impact. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of capecitabine, regorafenib and metabolites were characterized by one and two compartment models and absorption was described by parallel first- and zero-order processes and transit compartments, respectively. Apparent capecitabine clearance was 286 L/h (relative standard error [RSE] 14.9%, interindividual variability [IIV] 40.1%) and was reduced by regorafenib cumulative area under the plasma concentration curve (median reduction of 45.6%) as exponential covariate (estimate -4.10 × 10-4 , RSE 17.8%). Apparent regorafenib clearance was 1.94 L/h (RSE 12.1%, IIV 38.1%). Simulation analyses revealed significantly negative associations between capecitabine clearance and regorafenib exposure. CONCLUSIONS: This work informs the clinical development of regorafenib and capecitabine combination treatment and underlines the importance of studying potential DDI with new anticancer drug combinations.

Clinical Implementation of DPYD Pharmacogenetic Testing to Prevent Early-Onset Fluoropyrimidine-Related Toxicity in Cancer Patients in Switzerland.

The implementation of pharmacogenetic testing into clinical practice has been a slow process so far. Here, we review the implementation of pre-treatment testing of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene (DPYD) risk variants to prevent early-onset fluoropyrimidine (FP)-related toxicity in cancer patients in Switzerland based on data of a large Swiss diagnostic center. In January 2017, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health introduced the reimbursement of DPYD testing by the compulsory health insurance in Switzerland based on evidence for the clinical relevance of DPYD-risk variants and the cost-effectiveness of pre-treatment testing, and on the availability of international guidelines. However, we did not observe a strong increase in DPYD testing at our diagnostic center from 2017 to 2019. Only a low number of DPYD-testing requests (28-42 per year), concerning mostly retrospective investigations of suspected FP-toxicity, were received. In contrast, we observed a 14-fold increase in DPYD testing together with a strong shift from retrospective to pre-treatment test requests upon the release of recommendations for DPYD testing prior to FP-treatment in April 2020 by the European Medicines Agency. This increase was mainly driven by three geographic regions of Switzerland, where partner institutions of previous research collaborations regarding FP-related toxicity are located and who acted as early-adopting institutions of DPYD testing. Our data suggest the important role of early adopters as accelerators of clinical implementation of pharmacogenetic testing by introducing these policies to their working environment and educating health workers from their own and nearby institutions.

Comparison of Melphalan Combined with Treosulfan or Busulfan as High-Dose Chemotherapy before Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in AML.

(1) Background: High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients predominantly combines busulfan with cyclophosphamide or melphalan. Treosulfan compares favorably regarding lower inter-individual bioavailability and neurotoxicity, but so far, had not been studied before ASCT in AML. (2) Methods: This single-center study investigated AML patients undergoing ASCT in CR1 between November 2017 and September 2020. The first 16 patients received busulfan 16 mg/kg b.w. (days -5 to -2) and melphalan 140 mg/m2 (day -1) (BuMel). In a subsequent (TreoMel) cohort, 20 patients received treosulfan 14 g/m2 (days -4 to -2) and melphalan. Plasma concentrations of busulfan and treosulfan were determined by mass spectrometry. (3) Results: Neutrophil engraftment and platelet recovery were similar, and PFS and OS were comparable. In only the BuMel cohort, patients reported central nervous toxicities, including seizures (6%) and encephalopathy (12%). The mean AUC for busulfan was 1471.32 µM*min, and for treosulfan it was 836.79 mg/L*h, with ranges of 804.1-2082 µM*min and 454.2-1402 mg/L*h. The peak values for busulfan ranged between 880.19-1734 µg/L and for treosulfan between 194.3-489.25 mg/L. (4) Conclusions: TreoMel appears to be safe and effective for pre-ASCT treatment in AML patients. Due to considerable interindividual biovariability, pharmacologic monitoring may also be warranted for the use of treosulfan.

Serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in clinical practice: A comparative diagnostic accuracy study.

BACKGROUND: Serological tests are a powerful tool in the monitoring of infectious diseases and the detection of host immunity. However, manufacturers often provide diagnostic accuracy data generated through biased studies, and the performance in clinical practice is essentially unclear. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of various serological testing strategies for (a) identification of patients with previous coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and (b) prediction of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in real-life clinical settings. METHODS: We prospectively included 2573 consecutive health-care workers and 1085 inpatients with suspected or possible previous COVID-19 at a Swiss University Hospital. Various serological immunoassays based on different analytical techniques (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, ELISA; chemiluminescence immunoassay, CLIA; electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, ECLIA; and lateral flow immunoassay, LFI), epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 (nucleocapsid, N; receptor-binding domain, RBD; extended RBD, RBD+; S1 or S2 domain of the spike [S] protein, S1/S2), and antibody subtypes (IgG, pan-Ig) were conducted. A positive real-time PCR test from a nasopharyngeal swab was defined as previous COVID-19. Neutralization assays with live SARS-CoV-2 were performed in a subgroup of patients to assess neutralization activity (n = 201). RESULTS: The sensitivity to detect patients with previous COVID-19 was ≥85% in anti-N ECLIA (86.8%) and anti-S1 ELISA (86.2%). Sensitivity was 84.7% in anti-S1/S2 CLIA, 84.0% in anti-RBD+LFI, 81.0% in anti-N CLIA, 79.2% in anti-RBD ELISA, and 65.6% in anti-N ELISA. The specificity was 98.4% in anti-N ECLIA, 98.3% in anti-N CLIA, 98.2% in anti-S1 ELISA, 97.7% in anti-N ELISA, 97.6% in anti-S1/S2 CLIA, 97.2% in anti-RBD ELISA, and 96.1% in anti-RBD+LFI. The sensitivity to detect neutralizing antibodies was ≥85% in anti-S1 ELISA (92.7%), anti-N ECLIA (91.7%), anti-S1/S2 CLIA (90.3%), anti-RBD+LFI (87.9%), and anti-RBD ELISA (85.8%). Sensitivity was 84.1% in anti-N CLIA and 66.2% in anti-N ELISA. The specificity was ≥97% in anti-N CLIA (100%), anti-S1/S2 CLIA (97.7%), and anti-RBD+LFI (97.9%). Specificity was 95.9% in anti-RBD ELISA, 93.0% in anti-N ECLIA, 92% in anti-S1 ELISA, and 65.3% in anti-N ELISA. Diagnostic accuracy measures were consistent among subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of serological tests for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies varied remarkably in clinical practice, and the sensitivity to identify patients with previous COVID-19 deviated substantially from the manufacturer's specifications. The data presented here should be considered when using such tests to estimate the infection burden within a specific population and determine the likelihood of protection against re-infection.

Maca against Echinococcosis?-A Reverse Approach from Patient to In Vitro Testing.

Drug-based treatment of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) with benzimidazoles is in most cases non-curative, thus has to be taken lifelong. Here, we report on a 56-year-old male AE patient who received standard benzimidazole treatment and biliary plastic stents, and additionally self-medicated himself with the Peruvian plant extract Maca (Lepidium meyenii). After 42 months, viable parasite tissue had disappeared. Based on this striking observation, the anti-echinococcal activity of Maca was investigated in vitro and in mice experimentally infected with Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes. Albendazole (ABZ)-treated mice and mice treated with an ABZ+Maca combination exhibited a significantly reduced parasite burden compared to untreated or Maca-treated mice. As shown by a newly established UHPLC-MS/MS-based measurement of ABZ-metabolites, the presence of Maca during the treatment did not alter ABZ plasma levels. In vitro assays corroborated these findings, as exposure to Maca had no notable effect on E. multilocularis metacestodes, and in cultures of germinal layer cells, possibly unspecific, cytotoxic effects of Maca were observed. However, in the combined treatments, Maca inhibited the activity of ABZ in vitro. While Maca had no direct anti-parasitic activity, it induced in vitro proliferation of murine spleen cells, suggesting that immunomodulatory properties could have contributed to the curative effect seen in the patient.

The Swiss Primary Hypersomnolence and Narcolepsy Cohort study (SPHYNCS): Study protocol for a prospective, multicentre cohort observational study.

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a disorder with well-established markers and a suspected autoimmune aetiology. Conversely, the narcoleptic borderland (NBL) disorders, including narcolepsy type 2, idiopathic hypersomnia, insufficient sleep syndrome and hypersomnia associated with a psychiatric disorder, lack well-defined markers and remain controversial in terms of aetiology, diagnosis and management. The Swiss Primary Hypersomnolence and Narcolepsy Cohort Study (SPHYNCS) is a comprehensive multicentre cohort study, which will investigate the clinical picture, pathophysiology and long-term course of NT1 and the NBL. The primary aim is to validate new and reappraise well-known markers for the characterization of the NBL, facilitating the diagnostic process. Seven Swiss sleep centres, belonging to the Swiss Narcolepsy Network (SNaNe), joined the study and will prospectively enrol over 500 patients with recent onset of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), hypersomnia or a suspected central disorder of hypersomnolence (CDH) during a 3-year recruitment phase. Healthy controls and patients with EDS due to severe sleep-disordered breathing, improving after therapy, will represent two control groups of over 50 patients each. Clinical and electrophysiological (polysomnography, multiple sleep latency test, maintenance of wakefulness test) information, and information on psychomotor vigilance and a sustained attention to response task, actigraphy and wearable devices (long-term monitoring), and responses to questionnaires will be collected at baseline and after 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. Potential disease markers will be searched for in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and stool. Analyses will include quantitative hypocretin measurements, proteomics/peptidomics, and immunological, genetic and microbiota studies. SPHYNCS will increase our understanding of CDH and the relationship between NT1 and the NBL. The identification of new disease markers is expected to lead to better and earlier diagnosis, better prognosis and personalized management of CDH.

Annual incidence and severity of acute episodes in hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (hTTP) is a rare thrombotic microangiopathy characterized by severe congenital ADAMTS13 deficiency and recurring acute episodes causing morbidity and premature death. Information on the annual incidence and severity of acute episodes in patients with hTTP is largely lacking. This study reports prospective data on 87 patients from the Hereditary TTP Registry (clinicaltrials.gov #NCT01257269) for survival, frequency, and severity of acute episodes from enrollment until December 2019. The 87 patients, followed up for a median of 4.2 years (range, 0.01-15 years), had a median age at overt disease onset and at clinical diagnosis of 4.6 years and 18 years (range, 0.0-70 years for both), respectively. Forty-three patients received regular plasma prophylaxis, whereas 22 did not, and treatment changed over time or was unknown in the remaining 22. Forty-three patients experienced 131 acute episodes, of which 91 (69%) occurred in patients receiving regular prophylaxis. This resulted in an annual incidence of acute episodes of 0.36 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.44) with regular plasma treatment and of 0.41 (95% CI, 0.30-0.56) without regular plasma treatment. More than one-third of acute episodes (n = 51) were documented in children <10 years of age at enrollment and were often triggered by infections. Their annual incidence of acute episodes was significantly higher than in patients aged >40 years (1.18 [95% CI, 0.88-1.55] vs 0.14 [95% CI, 0.08-0.23]). The prophylactic plasma infusion regimens used were insufficient to prevent acute episodes in many patients. Such regimens are burdensome, and caregivers, patients, and their guardians are reluctant to start regular plasma infusions, from which children particularly would benefit.