Evaluation of the efficacy of LAMP-based SARS-CoV-2 detection with simple RNA extraction from nasopharyngeal swabs: A prospective observational study.

The Loopamp SARS-CoV-2 Detection Kit is used for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is based on a measurement principle that can be used with a relatively simple device. Detection using this kit requires viral RNA extraction from samples with the QIAGEN QIAamp Viral Mini Kit (QIAGEN extraction) or the Loopamp Viral RNA Extraction Kit (Eiken extraction), which are recommended by the manufacturer. However, the efficacy of LAMP-based SARS-CoV-2 detection using these extraction methods has not been compared. In this study, we aimed to compare the results of genome extraction and detection from nasopharyngeal swab samples using the QIAGEN and Eiken extraction kits. The present study involved patients who presented to the Rinku General Medical Center with suspected COVID-19 (25 positive and 26 negative cases). A comparison of the results obtained using each extraction method with those obtained via PCR showed that the positive, negative, and overall concordance rates between QIAGEN extraction and PCR were 96.0% (24/25 samples), 100% (26/26), and 98.0% (50/51; κ = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.69-1.00), respectively. Results with Eiken extraction were also favorable, with positive, negative, and overall concordance rates of 88.0% (22/25), 100% (26/26), and 94.1% (48/51; κ = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.61-1.00), respectively. Favorable results were obtained using both QIAGEN and Eiken extraction kits. Since Eiken extraction can be completed in a few minutes, it enables prompt and reliable testing for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Modulation of the Inflammasome Signaling Pathway by Enteropathogenic and Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli.

Innate immunity is an essential component in the protection of a host against pathogens. Enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EPEC and EHEC, respectively) are known to modulate the innate immune responses of infected cells. The interference is dependent on their type III secretion system (T3SS) and T3SS-dependent effector proteins. Furthermore, these cytosolically injected effectors have been demonstrated to engage multiple immune signaling pathways, including the IFN/STAT, MAPK, NF-κB, and inflammasome pathways. In this review, recent work describing the interaction between EPEC/EHEC and the inflammasome pathway will be discussed.