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Oštrbenk Valenčak A, Cuschieri K, Connor L, Zore A, Smrkolj Š, Poljak M. Allplex HPV HR Detection assay fulfils all clinical performance and reproducibility validation requirements for primary cervical cancer screening. J Clin Virol 2024; 170:105638. [PMID: 38183829 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-based screening offers better protection against cervical cancer compared to cytology, but HPV screening assays must adhere to validation requirements of the international guidelines to ensure optimal performance. Allplex HPV HR Detection (Allplex) assay, launched in the late 2022, is a fully automated real-time PCR-based assay utilizing innovative technology that enables quantification and concurrent distinction of 14 high-risk HPV genotypes (HPV16,18,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56,58,59,66 and 68). We assessed the validity of the Allplex for cervical cancer screening purposes, via comparison to a clinically validated comparator assay (Hybrid Capture 2; HC2), and through assessment of intra-laboratory reproducibility and inter-laboratory agreement. A clinical validation panel comprised of 973 residual ThinPrep samples was obtained from women aged 30-64 years participating in the organized Slovenian screening program, of these 863 were from women undergoing their regular screening visit after a previous negative screen test while 110 were from women with underlying cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) lesions. The Allplex's relative clinical sensitivity for detection of CIN2+ and CIN3+ were 1.01 (95%CI;0.98-1.04) and 0.98 (95%CI;0.95-1.02), compared to that of HC2. At recommended thresholds of ≥98% and ≥90%, the Allplex's clinical sensitivity and specificity (p=0.0004 and p=0.02, respectively) were non-inferior to HC2. High intra-laboratory reproducibility and inter-laboratory agreement, both overall (98.1% and 97.9%, respectively) and at genotype level (>98.7%) was observed. In addition, analytical genotype-specific performance of Allplex was compared to that of its predecessor Anyplex HPV HR; high overall agreement was observed (96.3%; kappa value 0.88), with some variations in performance. In conclusion, Allplex met all validation criteria described in the international guidelines on sensitivity, specificity and laboratory reproducibility and can be considered clinically validated for primary cervical cancer screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Oštrbenk Valenčak
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kate Cuschieri
- Scottish HPV Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Linzi Connor
- Scottish HPV Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Andrej Zore
- Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Špela Smrkolj
- Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mario Poljak
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Osredkar J, Jagarlamudi KK, Cviič D, Škof E, Cvjetićanin B, Zore A, Lukanović D, Eriksson S, Meglič L. Clinical Significance of the TK1-Specific Activity in the Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer. Oncology 2023; 102:17-29. [PMID: 37673047 DOI: 10.1159/000533428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cause of cancer death in women. One of the major concerns is almost two-thirds of cases are typically diagnosed in the late stage as the symptoms are unspecific in the early stage of ovarian cancer. It is known that the combination of TK1 protein with CA 125 or HE4 showed better performance than either of them alone. That is why, the aim of the study was to investigate whether the TK1-specific activity (TK1 SA) could function as a complement marker for early-stage diagnosis of ovarian cancer. METHODS The study included a set of 198 sera consisting of 134 patients with ovarian tumors (72 benign and 62 malignant) and 64 healthy age-matched controls. The TK1 SA was determined using TK1 activity by TK-Liaison and TK1 protein by AroCell TK 210 ELISA. Further, CA 125, HE4, as well as risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm index were also determined in the same set of clinical samples. RESULTS The TK1 SA was significantly different between healthy compared to ovarian cancer patients (p < 0.0001). Strikingly, TK1 SA has higher sensitivity (55%) compared to other biomarkers in the detection of benign ovarian tumors. Further, the highest sensitivity was achieved by the combination of TK1 SA with CA 125 and HE4 for the detection of benign tumors as well as malignant ovarian tumors (72.2% and 88.7%). In addition, TK1 SA could significantly differentiate FIGO stage I/II from stage III/IV malignancies (p = 0.026). Follow-up of patients after surgery and chemotherapy showed a significant difference compared to TK1 SA at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that TK1 SA is a promising blood-based biomarker that could complement CA 125 and HE4 for the detection of early stages of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joško Osredkar
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kiran Kumar Jagarlamudi
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden
- Research and Development Division, AroCell AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Diana Cviič
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Erik Škof
- Institute of Oncology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- University Ljubljana, Medical Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Branko Cvjetićanin
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Zore
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Lukanović
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Staffan Eriksson
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden
- Research and Development Division, AroCell AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Leon Meglič
- University Ljubljana, Medical Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Division of Gynecology, Department of Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Semenič D, Abersek N, Zore A, Laganà AS, Lukanović D. The challenge of complex wound healing caused by necrotizing fasciitis after infection of tension-free vaginal transobturator tape (TVT-O) incontinence material. CLIN EXP OBSTET GYN 2019. [DOI: 10.12891/ceog4943.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Stegnar M, Zore A, Novak-Antolič Ž, Vovk N, Kruithof EKO. Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator after Venous Occlusion in Pregnancy and Puerperium. Thromb Haemost 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1649610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
SummaryPregnancy is associated with depressed fibrinolysis as judged from the decreased fibrinolytic response to venous occlusion. In order to elucidate if this decreased response is due to an increase in plasminogen activator inhibitors 1 and 2 (PAI-1, PAI-2), and/or to decreased release of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen during venous occlusion, 36 women (18 women with normal pregnancy and 18 with gestational hypertension without proteinuria) were followed during pregnancy and puerperium. In each woman a 20 min venous occlusion was performed in the second and in the third trimester of pregnancy and 3 days after delivery. The increase in t-PA antigen after venous occlusion relative to basal value was in the second trimester of pregnancy on average 3.7 fold, in the third trimester 4.4 fold, and so not reduced compared to non-pregnant women (3.7 fold increase). After delivery the increase in t-PA antigen was significantly enhanced (8.5 fold, p <0.005). The fibrinolytic response to venous occlusion measured by euglobulin and t-PA activity was significantly decreased in the third trimester compared to non-pregnant values (both p <0.005) and returned to somewhat higher (euglobulin clot lysis) or significantly higher (t-PA activity, p <0.01) values 3 days after delivery. Decreased euglobulin and t-PA activity after venous occlusion in the third trimester coincided with significant increases in basal PAI activity, PAI-1 antigen and PAI-2 antigen (2.9, 2.5 and >30 fold increase relative to non-pregnant values, respectively, all p <0.001). No significant differences in fibrinolytic variables were observed between nor-motensive and hypertensive pregnant women. It was concluded that t-PA antigen release during venous occlusion is not decreased during pregnancy and puerperium, and that decreased fibrinolytic response measured by global methods should be attributed to increased t-PA inhibitors. Gestational hypertension without proteinuria is not characterized by changes in fibrinolytic responses different from those observed in normal pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojca Stegnar
- The University Medical Centre, Trnovo Hospital of Internal Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrej Zore
- The Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Switzerland
| | - Živa Novak-Antolič
- The Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Switzerland
| | - Neva Vovk
- The University Medical Centre, Trnovo Hospital of Internal Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Egbert K O Kruithof
- The University Hospital Centre, Department of Medicine, Haematology Division, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Starič KD, Taneska P, Zore A, Lukanović A, Kobal B, Cvjetićanin B, Jakopič K. Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine Contraceptive Device in the Peritoneal Cavity: A Report of Two Cases. J Reprod Med 2017; 62:215-217. [PMID: 30230800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In modern gynecology an intrauterine device (IUD) with levonorgestrel is often used as a method of contraception. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is small and T-shaped. In Slovenia, only a gynecologist may insert it. CASES: We present 2 clinical cases in which, despite strong evidence that no perforation had occurred during insertion, the IUD was found outside the uterus. If the IUD threads are not visible or the IUD cannot be located in the uterine cavity, an X-ray of the abdomen must be performed. If the IUD is found in the abdominal cavity outside the uterus, removal by laparoscopy is carried out. CONCLUSION Given the large number of inserted IUDs, the complications associated with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system are quite rare, and therefore it remains one of the most widely used contraceptive methods.
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Starič KD, Lukanović A, Norčič G, Barbič M, Kostoski S, Meglič L, Zore A, Jakopič K, Blaganje M. Outcome of laparoscopic sacropexy with polypropilene mesh. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2016.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Poljak M, Barlic J, Seme K, Avsic-Zupanc T, Zore A. Isolation of DNA from archival Papanicolaou stained cytological smears using a simple salting-out procedure. Mol Pathol 2010; 48:M55-6. [PMID: 16695977 PMCID: PMC407921 DOI: 10.1136/mp.48.1.m55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
DNA from archival Papanicolaou stained and unstained cytological smears was successfully isolated using a simple, rapid and inexpensive salting-out procedure. The quality of DNA was controlled by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of segments of the human beta-globin, human beta-actin and human papillomavirus L1 genes. Only negligible differences in amplification efficiency were observed between DNA isolated from stained and unstained smears. The salting-out procedure is a more rapid method for the isolation of DNA than phenol-chloroform extraction and may be used in instances where fresh or cryopreserved clinical specimens are not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Poljak
- Institute of Microbiology, Medical Faculty of Ljubljana, Zaloska 4, 61105 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Cerar T, Ruzić-Sabljić E, Glinsek U, Zore A, Strle F. Comparison of PCR methods and culture for the detection of Borrelia spp. in patients with erythema migrans. Clin Microbiol Infect 2008; 14:653-8. [PMID: 18558937 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.02013.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The sensitivities of two PCR assays and culture were compared for the detection of Borrelia spp. in skin specimens of 150 patients with typical erythema migrans. In addition, the accuracy of the methods for the identification of Borrelia spp. was compared by analysing culture isolates and material obtained directly from skin biopsy specimens. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was isolated from 73 (49%) of 150 skin biopsy specimens. Using a nested PCR targeting the rrf-rrl region and a PCR targeting the flagellin gene, 107 (71%) and 36 (24%) specimens, respectively, were positive. With both PCRs, positive results were more frequent with culture-positive samples (67/73 (92%) and 24/73 (33%) for the nested and flagellin PCRs, respectively) than with culture-negative samples (40/77 (52%) and 12/77 (16%) for nested and flagellin PCR, respectively). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis after MluI restriction identified 69/73 (95%) isolates, of which 58/69 (84%) were Borrelia afzelii and 11/69 (16%) were Borrelia garinii. After MseI restriction of PCR products amplified from the intergenic rrf-rrl region, B. afzelii was identified in 73/107 (68%) samples, B. garinii in 22/107 (21%) samples, and both species in 11/107 (10%) samples. The corresponding results for culture-positive specimens were 41/69 (59%), 14/69 (20%), and 7/69 (10%). Comparison of the results for specimens positive according to both approaches revealed complete uniformity in 80% of the cases. Overall, nested PCR was the most sensitive method for the demonstration of Borrelia spp. in erythema migrans skin lesions, followed by culture and PCR targeting the flagellin gene. The congruence of identification results obtained by analyzing culture isolates and material obtained directly from skin biopsies was relatively high but incomplete.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Cerar
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicin, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Zore A, Ruzic-Sabljic E, Strle F, Trilar T, Avsic-Zupanc T. P1845 Borrelia burgdorferi species isolated from different natural sources in Slovenia. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-8579(07)71684-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Zore A, Petrovec M, Prosenc K, Trilar T, Ruzić-Sabljić E, Avsic-Zupanc T. Infection of small mammals with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Slovenia as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Wien Klin Wochenschr 1999; 111:997-9. [PMID: 10666818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Thirty-four small mammals collected in the vicinity of Ljubljana were tested for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of urinary bladder tissues, using universal flagellin primers and species specific rRNA primers. Seventeen small mammals (50%) were found to be positive, and 7 small mammals were infected with two species of B. burgdorferi sensu lato simultaneously. The most commonly found species was B. afzelii (n = 14), followed by B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (n = 7) and B. garinii (n = 3), as determined by species-specific primers. We conclude that PCR is a rapid and reliable method to detect infection with B. burgdorferi sensu lato in small mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Zore
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty of Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Logar J, Novak-Antolič Z, Zore A. Improved diagnosis of toxoplasmosis acquired during pregnancy by determination of specific IgG avidity. Parasitol Int 1998. [DOI: 10.1016/s1383-5769(98)81133-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
In the period from 1981 to 1994, serological screening for toxoplasmosis was carried out in 20,953 pregnant women in Slovenia. Seropositivity among pregnant women was found to have decreased from 52% in the 1980s to 37% in the recent period, 1991-94, while during the same period the incidence of suspected primary infections acquired in pregnancy rose from 0.33% to 0.75%. These latest figures ought to promote an informed debate on the possible need for obligatory serological screening of pregnant women in Slovenia for toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Logar
- Department of Parasitology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Stegnar M, Zore A, Novak-Antolic Z, Vovk N, Kruithof EK. Tissue-type plasminogen activator after venous occlusion in pregnancy and puerperium. Thromb Haemost 1993; 70:486-90. [PMID: 8259554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy is associated with depressed fibrinolysis as judged from the decreased fibrinolytic response to venous occlusion. In order to elucidate if this decreased response is due to an increase in plasminogen activator inhibitors 1 and 2 (PAI-1, PAI-2), and/or to decreased release of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen during venous occlusion, 36 women (18 women with normal pregnancy and 18 with gestational hypertension without proteinuria) were followed during pregnancy and puerperium. In each women a 20 min venous occlusion was performed in the second and in the third trimester of pregnancy and 3 days after delivery. The increase in t-PA antigen after venous occlusion relative to basal value was in the second trimester of pregnancy on average 3.7 fold, in the third trimester 4.4 fold, and so not reduced compared to non-pregnant women (3.7 fold increase). After delivery the increase in t-PA antigen was significantly enhanced (8.5 fold, p < 0.005). The fibrinolytic response to venous occlusion measured by euglobulin and t-PA activity was significantly decreased in the third trimester compared to non-pregnant values (both p < 0.005) and returned to somewhat higher (euglobulin clot lysis) or significantly higher (t-PA activity, p < 0.01) values 3 days after delivery. Decreased euglobulin and t-PA activity after venous occlusion in the third trimester coincided with significant increases in basal PAI activity, PAI-1 antigen and PAI-2 antigen (2.9, 2.5 and > 30 fold increase relative to non-pregnant values, respectively, all p < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- M Stegnar
- University Medical Centre, Trnovo Hospital of Internal Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Abstract
Over a 12-month period, 3959 pregnant women were systematically tested with the Sabin-Feldman dye test in order to assess the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis in Slovenia. The results suggest that this is approximately 3/1000 live births. This relatively high incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis in Slovenia may make the costing of preventive screening programmes justifiable.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Logar
- Department of Parasitology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
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