OBJECTIVE: Currently, it is thought that uterine cervix mucosal samples present a low risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. So far, there is no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 detection in Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. Nevertheless, clinicians could be exposed unaware to the coronavirus while performing and handling a Pap smear. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cervical liquid-based cytology (LBC) samples in women who tested positive for a nasopharyngeal COVID-19 PCR test. METHODS: From our laboratory database, we identified patients with data on a cervical cancer screening LBC sample paired with a positive nasopharyngeal COVID-19 PCR test. Relevant LBC samples taken within an incubation period of 14 days and post-onset RNA shedding interval of 25 days were subsequently tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using RT-PCR tests. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 102 women. Of those, 23 LBC samples were tested. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in one LBC sample from a 26-year-old asymptomatic woman taken six days before reporting headaches and knee arthralgia with a positive nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cervical LBC samples at an early asymptomatic stage of COVID-19. In general, this finding is infrequent in asymptomatic women who tested SARS-CoV-2 positive within an incubation of 14 days and a post-onset RNA shedding period of 25 days. We fully support the current thinking that cervical LBC samples from asymptomatic women pose a low risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and can be handled in the frame of good microbiological practice and procedures.

• Klíčová slova
• COVID-19, LBC, PAP smear, PCR, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus,
• MeSH
• COVID-19 * diagnóza   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory děložního čípku diagnóza   genetika   metabolismus   virologie   MeSH
• Papanicolaouův test * MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• testování na COVID-19 průkazem nukleové kyseliny * MeSH
• vaginální stěr * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Waterborne pathogens including viruses, bacteria and micropollutants secreted from population can spread through the sewerage system. In this study, the efficiency of unique effervescent ferrate-based tablets was evaluated for total RNA and DNA removal, disinfection and degradation of micropollutants in hospital wastewater. For the purpose of testing, proposed tablets (based on citric acid or sodium dihydrogen phosphate) were used for various types of hospital wastewater with specific biological and chemical contamination. Total RNA destruction efficiency using tablets was 70-100% depending on the type of acidic component. DNA destruction efficiency was lower on the level 51-94% depending on the type of acidic component. In addition, our study confirms that effervescent ferrate-based tablets are able to efficiently remove of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater. Degradation of often detected micropollutants (antiepileptic, antidepressant, antihistamine, hypertensive and their metabolites) was dependent on the type of detected pharmaceuticals and on the acidic component used. Sodium dihydrogen phosphate based tablet appeared to be more effective than citric acid based tablet and removed some pharmaceuticals with efficiency higher than 97%. Last but not least, the disinfection ability was also verified. Tableted ferrates were confirmed to be an effective disinfectant and no resistant microorganisms were observed after treatment. Total and antibiotic resistant bacteria (coliforms and enterococci) were determined by cultivation on diagnostic selective agar growth media.

• Klíčová slova
• Antibiotic resistant bacteria, Ferrate(VI), Pharmaceuticals, SARS-CoV-2, Wastewater treatment,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

New methodologies based on the principle of "sewage epidemiology" have been successfully applied before in the detection of illegal drugs. The study describes the idea of early detection of a virus, e.g., SARS-CoV-2, in wastewater in order to focus on the area of virus occurrence and supplement the results obtained from clinical examination. By monitoring temporal variation in viral loads in wastewater in combination with other analysis, a virus outbreak can be detected and its spread can be suppressed early. The use of biosensors for virus detection also seems to be an interesting application. Biosensors are highly sensitive, selective, and portable and offer a way for fast analysis. This manuscript provides an overview of the current situation in the area of wastewater analysis, including genetic sequencing regarding viral detection and the technological solution of an early warning system for wastewater monitoring based on biosensors.

• Klíčová slova
• COVID-19, PCR methods, SARS-CoV-2, biosensors, genetic sequencing, virus detection, wastewater monitoring,
• MeSH
• COVID-19 * MeSH
• epidemiologie odpadních vod * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• odpadní voda MeSH
• odpadní vody MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• odpadní voda MeSH
• odpadní vody MeSH

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the consequences in Europe of the COVID-19 outbreak on pathology laboratories orientated toward the diagnosis of thoracic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was sent to 71 pathology laboratories from 21 European countries. The questionnaire requested information concerning the organization of biosafety, the clinical and molecular pathology, the biobanking, the workload, the associated research into COVID-19, and the organization of education and training during the COVID-19 crisis, from 15 March to 31 May 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned from 53/71 (75%) laboratories from 18 European countries. The biosafety procedures were heterogeneous. The workload in clinical and molecular pathology decreased dramatically by 31% (range, 3%-55%) and 26% (range, 7%-62%), respectively. According to the professional category, between 28% and 41% of the staff members were not present in the laboratories but did teleworking. A total of 70% of the laboratories developed virtual meetings for the training of residents and junior pathologists. During the period of study, none of the staff members with confirmed COVID-19 became infected as a result of handling samples. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on most of the European pathology laboratories included in this study. Urgent implementation of several changes to the organization of most of these laboratories, notably to better harmonize biosafety procedures, was noted at the onset of the pandemic and maintained in the event of a new wave of infection occurring in Europe.

• Klíčová slova
• COVID-19, activity, biosafety, lung cancer, pathology,
• MeSH
• banky biologického materiálu organizace a řízení   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• COVID-19 epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   virologie   MeSH
• epidemický výskyt choroby MeSH
• laboratorní medicína metody   statistika a číselné údaje   trendy   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární patologie metody   statistika a číselné údaje   trendy   MeSH
• nemoci hrudníku diagnóza   terapie   MeSH
• odběr biologického vzorku metody   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• omezování biologických rizik statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• pandemie MeSH
• předpověď MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky * MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 izolace a purifikace   fyziologie   MeSH
• ústavní laboratorní služby statistika a číselné údaje   trendy   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH

There are scarce data on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on liver transplantation (LT) in Europe. The aim of this study was to obtain a preliminary data on incidence, management, and outcome of COVID-19 in liver transplant recipients and candidates in Europe. An Internet-based survey was sent to the centers affiliated with European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR). One hundred nine out of 149 (73%) of ELTR centers located in 28 European countries (93%) responded. Ninety-four (86%) of the centers tested all donors, and 75 (69%) centers tested all LT recipients for SARS-CoV-2. Seventy-three (67%) centers selected recipients for LT in the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas 33% did not. Eighty-eight centers reported COVID-19 infection in 57 LT candidates and in 272 LT recipients. Overall crude incidence of COVID-19 among LT candidates and recipients was estimated 1.05% (range 0.5-20%) and 0.34% (range 0.1-4.8%), respectively, and it was significantly higher among candidates (P < 0.001). Crude rate of death was 18% (10/57) among candidates and 15% (36/244) among recipients. This first large-scale European snapshot study clearly shows that both LT candidates and recipients are at a high risk for COVID-19. These results plead for an early and pro-active screening of COVID-19 symptoms in these populations.

• Klíčová slova
• COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, liver recipient, liver transplantation, mortality, survey,
• MeSH
• časná diagnóza MeSH
• COVID-19 diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• dárci tkání statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• imunokompromitovaný pacient MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• komorbidita MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci jater epidemiologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• pandemie * MeSH
• plošný screening MeSH
• pooperační komplikace epidemiologie   MeSH
• příjemce transplantátu statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• průzkumy zdravotní péče MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• riziko MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 * MeSH
• testování na COVID-19 MeSH
• transplantace jater statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• výběr dárců normy   MeSH
• využití postupů a technik MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite the plethora of publications discussing the severe respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), evidence of viral secretion in urine is sparse. RECENT FINDINGS: We could identify 34 publications including a total of 2172 patients. Among those, 549 patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 secretion in urine, which was detected in only 38 patients (6.9%). Within the seven studies displaying positive results, the majority of positive patients (86.8%) was from not yet peer-reviewed studies including weak data and heterogeneous techniques for sample testing. Furthermore, none of the studies available in the literature addressed the virulence of detected viral RNA in urine. SUMMARY: Overall, only seven studies were able to detect SARS-CoV-2 secretion in urine, all of them with a considerably low rate of positivity. However, these studies were of rather low quality considering their methodology. Despite this, as SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in urine, it is of importance to discuss safety and urinary hygiene protocols. Until further research provides valid data on viral shedding and virulence in urine, potential risk of transmission through urine cannot be ruled out. Therefore, safety and hygiene measures need to be discussed.

• MeSH
• Betacoronavirus izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• COVID-19 MeSH
• koronavirové infekce moč   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• virová pneumonie moč   MeSH
• vylučování virů * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH