2024
A low-cost culture- and DNA extraction-free method for the molecular detection of pneumococcal carriage in saliva
Peno C, Lin T, Hislop M, Yolda-Carr D, Farjado K, York A, Pitzer V, Weinberger D, Bei A, Allicock O, Wyllie A. A low-cost culture- and DNA extraction-free method for the molecular detection of pneumococcal carriage in saliva. Microbiology Spectrum 2024, 12: e00591-24. PMID: 39028185, PMCID: PMC11370248, DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00591-24.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDetection of pneumococciDetection of pneumococcal carriagePneumococcal carriageCarriage surveillanceLow-resource settingsChildren attending childcare centersCarriage of pneumococciDNA extractionSaliva samplesMolecular methodsCultural enrichmentImprove surveillance effortsQPCR-based protocolPneumococcal vaccineExtraction-free methodMolecular detectionNucleic acid extractionVaccination strategiesPneumococciCulture-enrichment methodExtraction-free protocolPurified DNASalivaPaired samplesCarriage
2023
Routine saliva testing for SARS-CoV-2 in children: Methods for partnering with community childcare centers
Rayack E, Askari H, Zirinsky E, Lapidus S, Sheikha H, Peno C, Kazemi Y, Yolda-Carr D, Liu C, Grubaugh N, Ko A, Wyllie A, Spatz E, Oliveira C, Bei A. Routine saliva testing for SARS-CoV-2 in children: Methods for partnering with community childcare centers. Frontiers In Public Health 2023, 11: 1003158. PMID: 36817891, PMCID: PMC9936085, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1003158.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsParents/guardiansOnline patient portalYounger age groupsSARS-CoV-2Age groupsSurveillance programSaliva collectionSARS-CoV-2 testingSARS-CoV-2 screeningWeekly saliva samplesRT-PCR testingChildcare centre staffCritical age groupRoutine surveillance toolRoutine testing programsChildcare centersCOVID-19 transmissionAsymptomatic screeningSaliva collection methodNasal swabsPatient portalsSymptomatic testingPublic health dataSaliva samplesChildcare facilities