Roche · Companion diagnostic · Companion diagnostic
abacavir sulfate is a companion diagnostic developed by Roche. It is approved for therapeutic indications via others.
| Company | Roche |
| Drug Class | Companion diagnostic |
| Route | Others |
| Status | Approved |
Lan Haifeng H, Lu Mengjie M, Li Shupei S, Shao Mei M et al.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1696298.].
D'Angelo Grace G, Kleiner Manuel M, Mankowski Anna A, Cifuentes-Anticevic Jerónimo J et al.
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are widespread in marine and terrestrial environments, where they often form syntrophic associations with bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. Among the most intimate of these are multipartite symbioses in gutless marine oligochaete worms, which host SRB and sulfur-oxidizing endosymbionts that engage in a syntrophic exchange of sulfur compounds. Despite decades of research on free-living SRB, the metabolic traits that enable SRB to persist in symbiosis, and how these differ across hosts and environments, remain poorly understood. We show that a globally distributed clade of symbiotic SRB, which we named Candidatus Desulfoconcordia, has a conserved core metabolism that diverges from free-living relatives. Using comparative genomics and metaproteomics, we reveal that these endosymbionts retain key traits of SRB such as sulfate reduction, complete oxidation of acetate to CO2, amino acid degradation for nitrogen acquisition, and transport of essential nutrients. However, they exhibit a more oxygen-tolerant metabolism and lack typical nutrient-scavenging mechanisms of free-living SRB. One trait, the glyoxylate bypass, was consistently expressed in situ and may serve both in reactive oxygen species defence and in biomass generation. The expression of oxygen-tolerant pathways, coupled with the loss of nutrient-scavenging functions, indicate specialization to a host-associated, redox-fluctuating environment distinct from that of free-living SRB. The symbiont genomes are also larger than those of free-living relatives, contrasting with genome reduction in many endosymbionts and reinforcing the importance of metabolic versatility. Our findings provide a framework for understanding how metabolic flexibility enables SRB to persist in long-term multipartite symbioses across diverse marine ecosystems.
van Dyk Jennie J, Waitt Catriona C, Mugerwa Henry H, Wiesner Lubbe L et al.
Ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (atazanavir/r) is an effective once-daily option for pediatric subsequent-line antiretroviral therapy when used with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Tuberculosis co-treatment complicates its use because rifampicin markedly induces atazanavir/r clearance. Although twice-daily atazanavir/r can overcome this interaction in adults, data in children are lacking. We aimed to characterize atazanavir population pharmacokinetics in children with HIV and simulate the effect of rifampicin co-treatment. Atazanavir concentration-time data in African children with HIV from CHAPAS-4 (ISRCTN22964075) and VirTUAL (NCT03923231) were analyzed by nonlinear mixed-effect modeling. We investigated the effect of weight, age, atazanavir formulation, ritonavir dose, and NRTI backbone (tenofovir alafenamide [TAF]-emtricitabine, abacavir-lamivudine, or zidovudine-lamivudine). Simulations were performed across weight bands to evaluate atazanavir/r exposures under standard conditions and, using adult-derived induction effects, predict exposures and possible dosing regimens during rifampicin co-treatment. Seventy children were included, with a median (range) age of 10.9 (3.2-17.7) years and weight of 29 (15-85) kg. A two-compartment model with sequential zero- and first-order absorption best described atazanavir disposition. The estimated typical value of atazanavir clearance was 4.8 L/h for a 27-kg individual. Atazanavir pharmacokinetics in children were unaffected by the NRTI backbone. Once-daily atazanavir/r with current dosing guidelines achieved adequate exposures across weight bands. When simulating pharmacokinetics during rifampicin co-treatment, twice-daily atazanavir/r is expected to restore exposures to levels comparable to once-daily dosing without rifampicin. These findings provide a framework for future clinical evaluation in children with HIV and tuberculosis.
Prorok Paulina P, Skrok Milena M, Karwańska Magdalena M, Siedlecka Magdalena M et al.
Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an opportunistic coagulase-negative Staphylococcus increasingly reported in both humans and companion animals. In this study, we performed a comprehensive characterization of S. lugdunensis isolates obtained from different hosts and clinical backgrounds. Species identification was conducted using MALDI-TOF MS and confirmed by PCR targeting the species-specific fbl gene, complemented by partial rpoB sequencing. The isolates were analysed using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), PCR-based detection of antimicrobial resistance genes, and phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Biofilm formation was assessed using a crystal violet microtiter plate assay under different incubation temperatures, and the virulence of selected strains was evaluated using the Galleria mellonella larvae infection model. The isolates exhibited genetic diversity and variable antimicrobial resistance and biofilm phenotypes. Among the analysed isolates, biofilm production was significantly influenced by incubation temperature and host origin, and selected strains caused differential larval survival in the G. mellonella model. Collectively, these findings highlight the heterogeneity of the analysed S. lugdunensis collection comprising human- and animal-derived isolates and support the need for further studies within the One Health framework.
Miyashita Naoyuki N, Nakamori Yasushi Y, Ogata Makoto M, Fukuda Naoki N et al.
The Mycoplasma Pneumonia Diagnostic Prediction Score, recommended in pneumonia guidelines, is a useful method for differentiating Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia from bacterial pneumonia. On the other hand, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a common microorganism in community-acquired pneumonia, so we investigated whether the Mycoplasma Score can differentiate between M. pneumoniae pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Analysis was performed on 162 patients with M. pneumoniae, 422 patients with the Ancestral strain, 262 with the Alpha variant, 274 with the Delta variant, and 1,241 with the Omicron variant. When using the Mycoplasma Score, the sensitivity for predicting M. pneumoniae pneumonia was 71.8%. The diagnostic specificity was 81.3% for the Ancestral strain, 81.7% for the Alpha variant, 77.4% for the Delta variant, and 88.2% for the Omicron variant. The specificity for all SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia cases was 84.8%. When targeting the currently circulating Omicron variant, the diagnostic specificity ranged from 83.9% to 92.7%, showing differences among subvariants. Differences between the two groups were identified using four parameters: age, underlying disease, severity of cough, and use of rapid diagnostic methods. When comparing M. pneumoniae pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, the diagnostic sensitivity of the Mycoplasma Pneumonia Diagnostic Prediction Score was 71.8%, and the diagnostic specificity was 84.8%. However, when targeting the currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant pneumonia, the diagnostic specificity increased to 88.2%, suggesting that it is possible to differentiate between M. pneumoniae pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. However, the specificity is lower than that for differentiating bacterial pneumonia.
Kamanga Martha M, Kapalamula Felister F, Kazembe Abigail A, Kabondo Charity C et al.
BackgroundPreeclampsia and eclampsia are major contributors to maternal mortality in Malawi. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is recommended by the World Health Organisation for the treatment of eclampsia. Despite its inclusion in national guidelines, there are inconsistencies in its clinical application, reflecting potential gaps in provider competency within Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) settings.ObjectivesThis study evaluates the knowledge, skills, and confidence of EmONC providers regarding MgSO4 administration and identifies context-specific barriers to optimal practice.DesignA qualitative descriptive study using a Human-Centred Design (HCD) approach.MethodsData collection involved focus group discussions and participatory workshops with registered nurse-midwives, nurse-midwife technicians, clinical officers, and District Health Management team members from selected EmONC facilities in Malawi. Thematic analysis based on Braun and Clarke's framework identified competency gaps and systemic barriers.ResultsThree interrelated gaps emerged: (1) fragmented knowledge of MgSO4 protocols, especially on maintenance dosing and toxicity; (2) inconsistent performance in drug preparation and administration; and (3) low psychological readiness among junior staff due to fear of complications and limited mentorship. System-level barriers included inadequate simulation-based training and a lack of visual job aids. HCD sessions led to co-created solutions, such as laminated dosage charts and peer-led simulations.ConclusionSignificant individual and systemic challenges exist in MgSO4 administration within EmONC settings. Enhancing provider competency through simulation-based learning, targeted mentorship, and visual decision-support tools could improve emergency care responses.
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