Laboratory testing trends for respiratory syncytial virus, 2007–2011

AbstractBackgroundAntigen detection tests have been the most common diagnostic assay used to detect and diagnose respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The utility and increased sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have been reported; however, their use in US hospital laboratories is not well characterized.ObjectiveTo describe changes in RSV test types used by US hospital-affiliated laboratories, focusing on PCR testing prevalence.Study designData were collected from 480 to 666 laboratories each RSV season (2007–2008 through 2010–2011) across 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. A descriptive analysis was conducted using this convenience sample of RSV tests conducted from November to April each season. Total numbers and types of RSV tests performed were reported weekly and weekly proportions by test type were calculated. Kendall τ rank correlation was used to quantify associations between time and proportions of each test type.ResultsPCR tests accounted for 2%, 3%, 16%, and 21% of weekly tests (total range, 381,068–481,654 over 4 seasons) conducted each season from 2007 to 2011, respectively. The proportion of laboratories reporting ≥1 PCR tests was 4%, 5%, 10%, and 16%, respectively. Decreases in antigen testing and viral culture were similarly observed.ConclusionsAlthough antigen detection was the predominant test type reported in the sample of US hospital laboratories for RSV testing, PCR use increased to >20% of tests reported. These results demonstrate the increasing contribution of PCR to RSV surveillance. RSV surveillance systems relying solely on antigen detection results will not capture an increasing proportion of RSV test results

The effect of DPP-4 inhibitors on asthma control : an administrative database study to evaluate a potential pathophysiological relationship

Acknowledgments The authors acknowledge Koustubh Ranade (MedImmune, Gaithersburg, MD, USA) and Stephen Johnston, a member of the steering committee who was employed by Truven Health Analytics at the time the study was conducted, for their contributions to this study . Truven Health Analytics, an IBM Company, received funding from AstraZeneca in relation to this study. This work was previously presented as a poster at the annual international conference of the American Thoracic Society, May 19–24, 2017, Washington, DC (Colice G, et al. The Effect of Dipeptidyl-Peptidase-4 Inhibitors on Asthma Control: An Administrative Database Study to Evaluate a Potential Pathophysiological Relationship. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2017;195:A3050).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Characteristics of cancer patients by IFN-γ signature level.

Mt Sinai hospital system and North Shore Long Island Jewish health system, New York, New York. 2004–2017. (PDF)</p

Kaplan-Meier survival curves for overall survival of MBC by highest tertile of IFN-γ signature vs. the lowest two tertiles.

Mt Sinai hospital system and North Shore Long Island Jewish health system, New York, New York. 2004–2017. Highest tertile median OS (95% CI): 27.53 (9.50–69.53). Lowest tertiles median OS (95% CI): 18.20 (8.43–24.90).</p

Kaplan-Meier survival curves for progression-free survival of MIBC by highest tertile of IFN-γ signature vs the lowest two tertiles.

Mt Sinai hospital system and North Shore Long Island Jewish health system, New York, New York. 2004–2017. Highest tertile median PFS (95% CI): 10.93 (8.27–13.60). Lowest tertiles median PFS (95% CI): 7.30 (1.37–9.80).</p