Latest PASCV News https://www.pascv.org/news/ Fri, 26 Apr 2024 06:02:35 GMT Thu, 13 May 2021 13:39:30 GMT Copyright © 2021 Pan American Society for Clinical Virology Advancing HIV, STI and Viral Hepatitis Testing Conference https://www.pascv.org/news/565336/ https://www.pascv.org/news/565336/ On behalf of the organizing committee for the Advancing HIV, STI and Viral Hepatitis Testing Conference, we invite you to attend our virtual 2022 conference on March 29, 2022 – April 1, 2022. This conference is brought to you by the American Sexual Health Association, the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
The Conference will cover diagnostic testing in laboratories, public health programs and clinical practice for HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Viral Hepatitis. Attendees will become familiar with test performance data, best practices, and implementation of testing algorithms, quality assurance, and the application of newer tests in a variety of settings. Past conferences have fostered the development and use of new HIV testing technology in the United States. Attendees will include public health officials, clinicians, laboratorians, HIV/STI/viral hepatitis testing program managers, surveillance coordinators, and industry representatives.
 
We invite you to review our call for abstracts (http://hivtestingconference.org/abstracts/) and encourage you to begin planning your abstract submissions. Please visit the conference website (http://hivtestingconference.org) for additional information. If you have any questions, contact Kelly Curtis (czv2@cdc.gov).

 

Click here for more details. 

]]> Meeting and Events Thu, 13 May 2021 14:39:30 GMT Communication on SARS-CoV 2 Variant Testing https://www.pascv.org/news/563086/ https://www.pascv.org/news/563086/ PASCV joins AMP and IDSA in a rapid communication to clinicians and laboratorians on the clinical implication and utility of SARS-CoV-2 variant testing.  This online-only document is available at:   https://www.amp.org/AMP/assets/File/clinical-practice/COVID/AMP_RC_VariantTestingforSARSCOV2_4_28_21.pdf?pass=42 ]]> COVID-19 Thu, 29 Apr 2021 19:13:38 GMT April 2021 Literature Review https://www.pascv.org/news/559450/ https://www.pascv.org/news/559450/ PASCV produces a quarterly Literature Review featuring the most influential papers. Click here to read PASCV's Literature Review of the following articles. 
 

PROLONGED SARS-COV-2 CELL CULTURE REPLICATION IN RESPIRATORY SAMPLES FROM PATIENTS WITH SEVERE COVID-19
Article: https://www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S1198-743X(21)00095-1/fulltext
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection

 

BINDING AND NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODY TITERS AFTER A SINGLE VACCINE DOSE IN HEALTH CARE WORKERS PREVIOUSLY INFECTED WITH SARS-COV-2
Article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777171
Journal: JAMA

PERFORMANCE OF THE ABBOTT BINAXNOW SARS-COV-2 ANTIGEN TEST IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN
Articles: https://jcm.asm.org/content/early/2021/02/19/JCM.00083-21
Journal: Journal of Clinical Microbiology

EFFECT OF IVERMECTIN ON TIME TO RESOLUTION OF SYMPTOMS AMONG ADULTS WITH MILD COVID-19 A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL
Articles: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777389
Journal: JAMA

]]> Clinical Practice and Public Policy Tue, 6 Apr 2021 02:14:15 GMT Apply for a Michelson Prize of $150,000 https://www.pascv.org/news/556434/ https://www.pascv.org/news/556434/ The Michelson Prizes are annual awards of $150,000, which support young investigators under the age of 35 who are using disruptive concepts and inventive processes to significantly advance human immunology and vaccine and immunotherapy discovery research for major global diseases.  The Prizes are funded by the Michelson Medical Research Foundation and overseen by the Human Vaccines Project --  the application window for the 2021 Prizes will run from April 1 – June 18, 2021

 

The 2021 Michelson Prizes will be looking for research proposals in two areas:

  • Human Immunology and Vaccine Research: The committee will be looking for research aimed at tackling the current roadblocks that exist in human vaccine development and expanding our limited understanding of key immune processes that are fundamental to successful vaccine and immunotherapy development.
  • Climate Change and Human Immunology: The committee is looking for research that expands our understanding of the potential effects of climate change on immune function with a particular interest in research that will directly translate into vaccine and immunotherapy development to mitigate its impact.

 

The selection committee will be looking to support research that is both highly innovative and has the potential for high impact. Specifically, projects should propose innovative ideas and approaches that can be applied across many disease areas and states.  Projects should have the potential to significantly expand our understanding of the human immune system and accelerate the development of vaccines and immunotherapies. More information can be found at www.humanvaccinesproject.org/michelsonprizes

]]> Miscellaneous Tue, 16 Mar 2021 03:17:10 GMT Journal of Clinical Virology Plus https://www.pascv.org/news/554740/ https://www.pascv.org/news/554740/

The Journal of Clinical Virology Plus is the official journal of the European Society for Clinical Virology and the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology. This means that the Journal of Clinical Virology is affiliated to the two primary Societies in the world devoted to Clinical Virology. The editors and the publisher of the journal intend that the Journal will help to raise the profile of Clinical virology.

 

The Journal of Clinical Virology Plus is a Gold Open Access journal publishing papers on any aspect of human virology that directly pertains to virus-induced clinical conditions. Articles from any field of virological study are considered if they are relevant to the understanding or manipulation of a disease state. The journal currently waives the APC (Article Publishing Charge) for any submissions received before 31 October 2021, which are accepted for publication after peer review. After the waiving period (from 1st November 2021), PASCV’s member will receive 10% APC discount to publish in the journal.

 

More information of the journal is available at the journal’s home page: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-clinical-virology-plus/”

 
]]> Miscellaneous Thu, 4 Mar 2021 02:02:27 GMT New JCM Publication! The Need for Dedicated Microbiology Leadership in the Clinical Microbiology Lab https://www.pascv.org/news/554737/ https://www.pascv.org/news/554737/ The Need for Dedicated Microbiology Leadership in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, has been published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Read it at  https://jcm.asm.org/contentearly/2021/02/12/JCM.01549-19.

Clinical microbiology laboratories play a crucial role in patient care using traditional and innovative diagnostics. Challenges faced by laboratories include emerging pathogens, rapidly evolving technologies, healthcare-acquired infections, antibiotic-resistant organisms and diverse patient populations. Despite these challenges, many clinical microbiology laboratories in the United States are not directed by doctoral level microbiology-trained individuals with sufficient time dedicated to laboratory leadership. This manuscript highlights the need for medical microbiology laboratory directors with appropriate training and qualifications.

 


]]> Clinical Practice and Public Policy Thu, 4 Mar 2021 01:24:08 GMT AMMI Canada – CACMID Annual Conference - Exclusive Discounts for PASCV Members! https://www.pascv.org/news/554734/ https://www.pascv.org/news/554734/ AMMI Canada - CACMIS Annual Conference

April 25 - 30 | Virtual

 

PASCV members are entitled to a $35 discount to their AMMI Canada – CACMID Annual Conference registration.

Register online at https://ammi-cacmid2021.secure-registration.com/en/n7mb3v/event

 

Click here for more information and to view the Preliminary Program.

]]> Meeting and Events Thu, 4 Mar 2021 01:12:34 GMT Participate in PASCV's Members Spotlight https://www.pascv.org/news/554733/ https://www.pascv.org/news/554733/ The Membership Committee is pleased to announce a new feature to highlight the work of PASCV members that exemplifies its mission as a Society to increase understanding of all aspects of human viral diseases, including human viral biology, disease manifestations, pathogenesis, immunity, epidemiology, treatment and prevention.

 

This new feature aims to recognize PASCV members’ accomplishments across all career stages, to highlight the diversity of our membership, and to help PASCV members feel more connected by learning more about each other.

 

Members are selected for the quarterly PASCV Member Spotlight will be featured in the PASCV Pulse, website, and PASCV social media platforms.

 

Nominations of members at any career stage, including student and early career members, are welcome. To nominate a colleague, mentee, or yourself, please submit the online nomination form below.

 

Nominations will be reviewed by the Membership Committee, and the selected members will be contacted by a committee member prior to the quarterly PASCV Member Spotlight.

 

Nomination Deadlines

First Quarter | March 31

Second Quarter | June 30

Third Quarter | September 30

Fourth Quarter | December 31

 

For more information, visit https://www.pascv.org/Spotlight. 

]]> Miscellaneous Thu, 4 Mar 2021 01:03:10 GMT MVW Registration Open https://www.pascv.org/news/546353/ https://www.pascv.org/news/546353/ Registration is now open for the 2021 Virtual Molecular Virology Workshop. Early bird rates ends April 7. View the program and register today at https://www.pascv.org/MVW. ]]> Meeting and Events Thu, 7 Jan 2021 02:05:02 GMT Reviewers Sought for​ The Journal of Clinical Virology https://www.pascv.org/news/546352/ https://www.pascv.org/news/546352/ Looking to share your expertise and make your mark in a leading journal? Become a reviewer forJCV! Simply register an account in Editorial Manager and enter applicable expertise terms/keywords to your profile so that you show up in search results when Editors are looking for topical reviewers on new papers. The need is constant so please consider joining today!

]]> Miscellaneous Thu, 7 Jan 2021 01:58:36 GMT New! COVID-19 Resources https://www.pascv.org/news/545509/ https://www.pascv.org/news/545509/ PASCV has compiled a list of important COVID-19 resources to help you stay up-to-date and access this critical information with ease. View the full document online at https://www.pascv.org/page/COVID. Be sure to bookmark this page for quick access and future reference!

 

 

]]> COVID-19 Tue, 29 Dec 2020 19:33:52 GMT COVID-19 Literature Review: December 2020 https://www.pascv.org/news/545402/ https://www.pascv.org/news/545402/
PASCV produces a quarterly Literature Review featuring the most influential papers. Click here to read PASCV's Literature Review of the following articles. 
 

CLINICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE COBAS LIAT SARS-COV-2 & INFLUENZA A/B TEST

Article: Multi-Center Evaluation of the Liat SARS-CoV-2 POC Assay
Journal: Journal of Clinical Microbiology

 

POOLED SALIVA SPECIMENS FOR SARS-COV-2 TESTING 

Article: Pooled Saliva Screenings

Journal: Journal of Clinical Microbiology

 

RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF CONVALESCENT PLASMA IN COVID-19 SEVERE PNEUMONIA

Articles: A randomized trial of convalescent plasma in COVID-19 severe pneumonia
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine

 

MODERNA MRNA-1273 VACCINE ANTIBODY DURABILITY

Articles: Vaccine Antibody Durability
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine

]]> COVID-19 Mon, 28 Dec 2020 20:01:29 GMT Response letter to Michael Mina’s recent publication in NEJM regarding COVID antigen testing https://www.pascv.org/news/540759/ https://www.pascv.org/news/540759/ PASCV joins ASM, APHL, and SHEA in response letter to Michael Mina’s recent publication in NEJM regarding COVID antigen testing

Read the full response here: https://asm.org/Articles/2020/November/SARS-CoV-2-Testing-Sensitivity-Is-Not-the-Whole-St
]]> Clinical Practice and Public Policy Wed, 25 Nov 2020 14:47:36 GMT 2021 Molecular Virology Workshop Moves to All Virtual Format https://www.pascv.org/news/539884/ https://www.pascv.org/news/539884/ Prioritizing the health and safety of our members and meeting attendees during the COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to remain our top priority. There continues to be a high level of uncertainty regarding when it will be safe to hold face-to-face meetings, and therefore, PASCV stands with ASM in their decision to postpone the Clinical Virology Symposium (CVS) to September 2021. PASCV leadership looks forward to attending CVS next fall and re-connecting with our colleagues and friends.


While the pandemic has affected our ability to meet face-to-face, it has also increased the need to learn, share, and connect with our colleagues to solve the many challenges affecting our world right now. For this reason, PASCV will host the Molecular Virology Workshop in spring 2021 as a virtual meeting. In this virtual format, PASCV will be able to offer the same great content, speakers, and networking that you have come to expect from the Molecular Virology Workshop.


The virtual Molecular Virology Workshop will offer attendees augmented content, OnDemand sessions and presentation materials for reference after the workshop ends, and various unique networking opportunities without having to leave the office. Please stay tuned for updated program and registration information. We hope you’ll join us this spring for the 2021 Molecular Virology Workshop!


]]> Meeting and Events Thu, 19 Nov 2020 16:51:58 GMT Joint letter to CMS concerning the use of RVP’s in COVID testing https://www.pascv.org/news/538899/ https://www.pascv.org/news/538899/ Review the full letter at the link below recommending that CMS provide uniform coverage for the clinical diagnostic laboratory tests that may be performed without a practitioner order, by removing the local coverage barrier during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

 

https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.pascv.org/resource/resmgr/clinical_practice/covid_letter_to_cms_10-29-20.pdf

 

 

 

 

]]> Clinical Practice and Public Policy Thu, 12 Nov 2020 20:57:41 GMT PASCV comments on the FDA proposed rule to reclassify CMV viral load test from Class III to Class II https://www.pascv.org/news/538545/ https://www.pascv.org/news/538545/ On September 17th, 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposed amendment to reclassify cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA quantification tests that are used for monitoring and management of transplant patients. The proposed order will reclassify quantitative CMV DNA tests from class III (general control and premarket approval) to class II devices (general control and special controls) and create a new in vitro diagnostic (IVD) device classification regulation called quantitative CMV nucleic acids tests for transplant patient management. The Pan-American Society for Clinical Virology (PASCV) welcomes the FDA initiative to make this change as the lower regulatory burden would encourage more IVD manufacturers to develop these much needed quantitative CMV molecular tests. PASCV encourages the FDA to consider quantitative nucleic acid tests for other pathogenic human viruses frequently monitored in transplant patients (e.g. Human Herpes Virus 6 and Adenovirus) as class II devices when new quantitative molecular assays become available and data support routine use in this patient population.

]]> Clinical Practice and Public Policy Wed, 11 Nov 2020 16:39:48 GMT