The DNA Bank Network comprises four DNA banks of major biological research collections in Germany. A DNA bank is a technically optimized service facility for the storage of documented DNA as well as a new type of collection. Here we present the structure of the network's database system including all specially created, modified and applied software components. The shared web portal facilitates ...

To the Editor: Wang et al. detected severe acute respiratory syndrome–associated coronavirus (SARSCoV) from throat wash and saliva specimens and suggested that these specimens have advantages over other specimens, including ease of procurement and safety for medical personnel (1). The virus has been detected with variable success from nasopharyngeal aspirates, nose and throat swabs, and tears (...

Prison inmates are more vulnerable to HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) due to risk factors such as needle sharing and unprotected sex with homosexuals. The aim of this work was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1/2) and syphilis among male inmates in Caruaru, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. A cross-sectional s...

The FLOQSwab™ is a specimen collection device worldwide recognised for its superior performance in the clinical diagnostics. The aim of this work was to evaluate FLOQSwab™ for the recovery of microbiological samples from surfaces compared to the traditional swab (rayon tipped swab) as per ISO 18593:2004 standard. The FLOQSwab™, thanks to its innovative manufacturing technology, allows improving...

BACKGROUND Use of self-administered vaginal swabs (SAS) for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by nucleic acid amplification tests simplifies specimen collection and transport, especially for women in nonclinical settings. GOAL We investigated the preference and comfort level of military women for the collection of SAS, compared with urine, for the diagnosis of genital chlamydial infectio...

To the Editor: All Bayer ACS:180 and ADVIA Centaur system chemiluminescent immunoassays are evaluated during product development for performance characteristics based on specimen collection tube type, anticoagulant, and sample handling. Recommendations are reported in the product inserts in the Specimen Collection and Handling section. The approved specimen types for the ACS:180/ADVIA Centaur C...

BACKGROUND Blood samples are usually collected daily from different collection points, such hospitals and health centers, and transported to a core laboratory for testing. This paper presents a project to improve the collection routes of two of the largest clinical laboratories in Spain. These routes must be designed in a cost-efficient manner while satisfying two important constraints: (i) two...

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There has been a rapid growth in the interest and adaptation of saliva as a diagnostic specimen over the last decade, and in the last few years in particular, there have been major developments involving the application of saliva as a clinically relevant specimen. Saliva provides a "window" into the oral and systemic health of an individual, and like other bodily fluids, saliva can be analyzed ...

The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) ethics review board (ERB) has been solicited in an unprecedented way to provide advice and review research protocols in an 'emergency' mode during the recent Ebola epidemic. Twenty-seven Ebola-related study protocols were reviewed between March 2014 and August 2015, ranging from epidemiological research, to behavioural research, infectivity studies and clinica...