April 18th 2024
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) continue to be a significant global health concern, affecting millions of people each year, irrespective of geographical location or economic status. While the spotlight often falls on diseases like HIV and syphilis due to their severe consequences and historical significance, other STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and human papillomavirus (HPV) also pose substantial threats to public health worldwide.
March 30th 2023
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases across the world are an ever present and ever-increasing issue, not only to adults but to a foetus. Two diseases of particular importance are HIV and Syphilis (caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum).
March 20th 2023
BK polyomovirus (BKV) is a double stranded DNA virus that affects 65-90% of the adult population. Its significance arises if an individual becomes immunocompromised such as for recipients of kidney or bone marrow (stem cell hematopoietic) transplants (HCT).
February 1st 2023
The flu season is well and truly upon us, but is it Influenza, RSV or Covid? And does it matter?
April 20th 2021
Global vaccine roll out is making progress but with most countries wanting priority status and with a limited supply, how can governments best prioritise those requiring vaccination?
February 1st 2021
As the pandemic has struck the predicted second wave, public struggles persist with lifestyle restrictions, but our knowledge to identify and fight the virus has significantly progressed. At present testing generally consists of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR ) or Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) also known as rapid or antigen tests.
December 14th 2020
In quantitative PCR (qPCR) and reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), the cycle threshold (Ct) value is the number of nucleic acid amplification cycles required for the signal generated by the amplification of a specific target DNA to cross a set threshold.
November 6th 2020
This article covers swab type and selection, transport products and medium enabling a smooth transfer of patient samples to the laboratory for analysis. Additionally, we discuss the implications of cycle thresholds and whether they should be assessed in patient prognosis.