Alexander Sundermann – The Conversation

This is the second FDA alert this year on contaminated eye drops. eternalcreative/iStock via Getty Images Plus

November 16, 2023

FDA’s latest warnings about eye drop contamination put consumers on edge − a team of infectious disease experts explain the risks

Alexander Sundermann, University of Pittsburgh and Daria Van Tyne, University of Pittsburgh

A bacterial contamination of the work environment at facilities that produce eye drops can lead to severe infections and even death, as was the case earlier in 2023.

A positive COVID-19 test is the first step in the process. Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

January 7, 2022

From delta to omicron, here’s how scientists know which coronavirus variants are circulating in the US

Alexander Sundermann, University of Pittsburgh and Lee Harrison, University of Pittsburgh

A nationwide genomic surveillance system analyzes positive COVID-19 tests to build a picture of which variants are spreading in the population.

Sequencing the genetic code of virus samples taken from COVID-19 patients reveals how SARS-CoV-2 is spreading and changing. Nate Langer/UPMC

March 31, 2021

Genomic surveillance: What it is and why we need more of it to track coronavirus variants and help end the COVID‑19 pandemic

Alexander Sundermann, University of Pittsburgh; Lee Harrison, University of Pittsburgh, and Vaughn Cooper, University of Pittsburgh

The US lags in testing coronavirus samples from COVID-19 patients, which can help track the spread of the virus and the emergence of new variants. But labs are ramping up this crucial surveillance.

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