Faculty
Margaret IP
Paul KS CHAN
Mamie HUI
Zigui CHEN
Christopher KC LAI
Rita WY NG
Xiao YANG
Siaw Shi BOON
Sishuo WANG
Research, Administrative and Honorary Staff
Elite Alumni Microbiologists
Hospital Staff
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Faculty > Christopher KC LAI
Personal information
Name Christopher K C LAI
Academic / Professional Qualifications MBChB (CUHK), MRCP (UK), PDipID (HKU), FRCPath (UK), FHKCPath, FHKAM (Pathology)
Academic title & affiliations Assistant Professor (Clinical), Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Email chris.kclai@cuhk.edu.hk
Current Appointments
(Including honorary appointments)
  • Assistant Professor (Clinical), Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Honorary Consultant, CUHK Medical Center
  • President, The Hong Kong Society of Microbiology and Infection
  • Deputy Registrar, The Hong Kong College of Pathologists
  • Chairman, Education Committee, The Hong Kong College of Pathologists
  • Honorary Associate Consultant, New Territories East Cluster, Hong Kong Hospital Authority,
  • Honorary Associate Consultant, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
  • Visiting Lecturer (Part-time) -Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • HOKLAS Assessor, Hong Kong Accreditation Service
 
Research
ORCID ORCID iD iconorcid.org/ 0000-0001-8591-5944
ResearcherID
Google Scholar  https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=O3Xc2t4AAAAJ&hl=en
Research interest
1.
The application of NGS, machine learning and advanced technologies in the diagnosis clinical of infectious diseases
2.
The human gut microbiota and its association with health, lifestyle, diet, diseases, and drug interactions
3.
Role of human microbiota in multiple drug resistance organism carriage
4.
Clinical, epidemiology, and laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2
5.
Infection control and hospital epidemiology
 
Awards
2021 Distinguished Young Fellow for the year 2021. The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine
2015 Top 10 Abstracts Award The 7th International Congress of Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control
2010 HA Outstanding team award “HA Rapid Diagnostic Laboratory Network for Influenza
 
Research Grants
  1. Principal Applicant. CUHK Direct Grant for Research 2019/2020. A pilot prospective study of healthy gut microbiota to identify changes associated with common health conditions in general Hong Kong Population (Ref 2019.046).
  2. Co-Investigator. Delineate the prevalence, risk factors, temporal distribution and epidemiological characteristics of hidden novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the community, (142345687).
  3. Co-Investigator. Comprehensive clinical, virological, microbiological, immunological and laboratory monitoring of patients hospitalized with Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19), (143799741).
  4. Co-Investigator. Characterizing Whole Genome Stability of the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. (149478076).
  5. Co-Investigator. SARS-CoV-2 global and local variant characterization in associate with clinical and public impacts, The Chinese University of Hong Kong - Research Committee - Project Impact Enhancement Fund. (182660252).
  6. Co-Investigator. Characterizing Whole Genome Stability of the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. (149478076).
  7. Co-Investigator. One Health approach to Track and Target Antimicrobial Resistance (TnT-AMR). Food and Health Bureau (FHB).
 
Publications (Representative)
  1. Lai CKC, Lam W, Tsang KY, Cheng FWT, Wong, MCS. COVID-19 pandemic after Omicron. Hong Kong Med J 2022;28:196-8. PMID: 35765729. DOI: 10.12809/hkmj215130.
  2. Chong KC, Yeoh EK, Leung CC, Lau SYF, Lam HCY, Goggins WB, Zhao S, Ran J, Mohammad KN, Chan RWY, Lai CKC, Chan PKS, Leung CSY, Chen VXY, Wang Y, Wei Y. Independent effect of weather, air pollutants, and seasonal influenza on risk of tuberculosis hospitalization: An analysis of 22-year hospital admission data. Sci Total Environ. 2022 Sep 1;837:155711. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155711.
  3. Ng RW, Wong CK, Lui GC, Tso EY, Chen Z, Tsang OT, Boon SS, Lai CK, Fung KS, Yeung AC, Ho WC, Hui DS, Chan PK, Chan JM. Case series of HIV SARS-CoV-2 co-infection in Chinese adults. J Clin Virol Plus. 2022 Feb;2(1):100062. doi: 10.1016/j.jcvp.2022.100062.
  4. Lai CKC, Ng RWY, Leung SSY, Hui M, Ip M. Overcoming the rising incidence and evolving mechanisms of antibiotic resistance by novel drug delivery approaches - An overview. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2021 Dec 9;181:114078. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114078. Epub ahead of print.
  5. Boon SS, Wong MCS, Ng RWY, Leung DTM, Chen Z, Lai CKC, Ho WCS, Huang J, Wong BKC, Fung KSC, Chan PKS. Seroprevalence of Unidentified SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Hong Kong During 3 Pandemic Waves. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Nov 1;4(11):e2132923. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.32923.
  6. Wong MCS, Wong ELY, Cheung AWL, Huang J, Lai CKC, Yeoh EK, Chan PKS. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in a City with Free Choice and Sufficient Doses. Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Oct 28;9(11):1250. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9111250.
  7. Boon SS, Xia C, Wang MH, Yip KL, Luk HY, Li S, Ng RWY, Lai CKC, Chan PKS, Chen Z. Temporal-Geographical Dispersion of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein Variant Lineages and Their Functional Prediction Using in Silico Approach. mBio. 2021 Oct 26;12(5):e0268721. doi: 10.1128/mBio.02687-21. Epub 2021 Oct 26.
  8. Zhu C, Li C, Lai CKC, Ng R, Chau KY, Wong KT, Lo NWS, Barua N, Yang Y, Liyanapathirana V, Hui M, Lai RW, Fung KSC, Tsang DN, Ip M. Longitudinal Genomic Characterization of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) Reveals Changing Pattern of CPE Isolated in Hong Kong Hospitals. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2021 Nov;58(5):106430. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2021.106430
  9. Lai CK, Lui GC, Chen Z, Cheung YY, Cheng KC, Leung AS, Ng RW, Cheung JL, Yeung AC, Ho WC, Chan KC, Hui DS, Tsang DN, Chan PK. Comparison of self-collected mouth gargle with deep-throat saliva samples for the diagnosis of COVID-19: Mouth gargle for diagnosis of COVID-19. J Infect. 2021 Jul 25:S0163-4453(21)00354-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.07.012.
  10. Chen Z, Chong KC, Wong MCS, Boon SS, Huang J, Wang MH, Ng RWY, Lai CKC, Chan PKS. A global analysis of replacement of genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 in association with containment capacity and changes in disease severity. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2021 Jan 30;27(5):750–7. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.01.018.
  11. Wong MCS, Wong ELY, Huang J, Cheung AWL, Law K, Chong MKC, Ng RWY, Lai CKC, Boon SS, Lau JTF, Chen Z, Chan PKS. Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine based on the health belief model: A population-based survey in Hong Kong. Vaccine. 2021 Feb 12;39(7):1148-1156. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.12.083.
  12. Lai CKC, Lam W. Laboratory testing for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2021 Jan 29;538:226-230. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.069. Epub 2020 Oct 28.
  13. Lai CKC, Chen Z, Lui G, et al. Prospective Study Comparing Deep Throat Saliva With Other Respiratory Tract Specimens in the Diagnosis of Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019. J Infect Dis. 2020 Oct 13;222(10):1612-1619.
  14. Wong MCS, Ng RWY, Chong KC, Lai CKC, Huang J, Chen Z, Boon SS, Chan PKS. Stringent containment measures without complete city lockdown to achieve low incidence and mortality across two waves of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. BMJ Glob Health. 2020 Oct;5(10):e003573. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003573.
  15. Zuo T, Zhang F, Lui GCY, Yeoh YK, Li AYL, Zhan H, Wan Y, Chung A, Cheung CP, Chen N, Lai CKC, Chen Z, Tso EYK, Fung KSC, Chan V, Ling L, Joynt G, Hui DSC, Chan FKL, Chan PKS, Ng SC, Alterations in Gut Microbiota of Patients With COVID-19 During Time of Hospitalization, Gastroenterology (2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.048.
  16. Lai CKC, Ng RWY, Wong MCS, Chong KC, Yeoh YK, Chen Z, Chan PKS. Epidemiological characteristics of the first 100 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, a city with a stringent containment policy. Int J Epidemiol. 2020 Aug 1;49(4):1096-1105. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyaa106.
  17. Lui G, Lai C, Chen Z, Tong S, Ho W, Yeung A, Boon SS, Ng R, Chan PKS. SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detection on Disposable Wooden Chopsticks, Hong Kong. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020;26(9):2274-2276. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2609.202135..
  18. Wong MC, Huang J, Lai C, Ng R, Chan FKL, Chan PKS. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in fecal specimens of patients with confirmed COVID-19: a meta-analysis [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jun 11]. J Infect. 2020;S0163-4453(20)30394-7. doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2020.06.012.
  19. Lui G, Ling L, Lai CK, et al. Viral dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 across a spectrum of disease severity in COVID-19 [published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 18]. J Infect. 2020;S0163-4453(20)30225-5. doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2020.04.014.
  20. Ling L, So C, Shum HP, Chan PKS, Lai CKC, Kandamby DH, Ho E, So D, Yan WW, Lui G, Leung WS, Chan MC, Gomersall CD. Critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong: a multicentre retrospective observational cohort study. Crit Care Resusc. 2020 Apr 6;22(2):119-125.
  21. Luk S, Chow VCY, Yu KCH, Hsu EK, Tsang NC, Chuang VWM, Lai CKC, Hui M, Lee RA, Lai WM, Que TL, Fung SC, To WK, Cheng VCC, Wong ATY. Effectiveness of antimicrobial hospital curtains on reducing bacterial contamination-A multicenter study.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2018 Dec 18:1-7. doi: 10.1017/ice.2018.315.
  22. Chen H, Au KM, Hsu KE, Lai CK, Myint J, Mak YF, Lee SY, Wong TY, Tsang NC. Multidrug-resistant organism carriage among residents from residential care homes for the elderly in Hong Kong: a prevalence survey with stratified cluster sampling Hong Kong Med J 2018;24:350–6 DOI: 10.12809/hkmj17694.
  23. Tsang HF, Chan LW, Tong JC, Wong HT, Lai CK, Au TC, Chan AK, Ng LP, Cho WC, Wong SC. Implementation and new insights in molecular diagnostics for HIV infection. Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2018 May;18(5):433-441. doi: 10.1080/14737159.2018.1464393.
  24. Ip M, Lai CK, Fung KSC, Wong KT, Zhu C, Van de Velde S, Tsang DN, Hawkey P. Activity of temocillin and 15 other agents, including fosfomycin and colistin, against Enterobacteriaceae in Hong Kong. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis (2017) 36: 2491. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-017-3091-8.
  25. Wong ATY, Chen H, Liu SH, Hsu EK, Luk KS, Lai CKC, Chan RFY, Tsang OTY, Choi KW, Kwan YW, Tong AYH, Cheng VCC, Tsang DNC; Central Committee on Infectious Diseases and Emergency Response, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.; From SARS to Avian Influenza Preparedness in Hong Kong, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 64, Issue suppl_2, 15 May 2017, Pages S98–S104, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cix123.
  26. Lai CK, Wong SY, Lee SS, Siu HK, Chiu CY, Tsang DN, Ip MP, Hung CT. A hospital-wide screening programme to control an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a large tertiary hospital in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Med J. 2017 Feb 24
  27. Wong MC, Nelson EA, Leung C, Lee N, Chan MC, Choi KW, Rainer TH, Cheng FW, Wong SY, Lai CK, Lam B, Cheung TH, Leung TF, Chan PK. Ad Hoc Influenza Vaccination During Years of Significant Antigenic Drift in a Tropical City With 2 Seasonal Peaks: A Cross-Sectional Survey Among Health Care Practitioners. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016 May;95(19):e3359. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000003359.
  28. Chan WS, Chan TM, Lai TW, Chan JF, Lai RW, Lai CK, Tang BS. Complementary use of MALDI-TOF MS and real-time PCR-melt curve analysis for rapid identification of methicillin-resistant staphylococci and VRE. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2015 Feb;70(2):441-7.
  29. Tsang DN, Lai CK, Yam WC, Chan JW, Mok YW, Seto WH, Fung SC, Chu CM, Lam BH, Ng TK. Use of interferon gamma release assay to assess latent tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Med J. 2015 Dec;21 Suppl 7:S22-5.
  30. C.K.C. Lai, W.M. Chuang, M.Y. Kong, H.K. Siu, D.N.C. Tsang. Antimicrobial susceptibility in hospitals in Hong Kong: The current status 2009–2011. Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance 2 (2014) 225–231.
  31. Lai C, Lam W, Lee MP A case of Mycobacterium sherrisii pneumonia diagnosed by PCR/ESI-MS method Int J Infect Dis. 2014 Jun 5;25C:119-121.
  32. Chu YW, Tung VW, Cheung TK, Chu MY, Cheng N, Lai C, Tsang DN, Lo JY Carbapenemases in enterobacteria, Hong Kong, China, 2009. Emerg Infect Dis 2011 Jan; 17(1):130-2.
  33. Lai CK, Cheng KL, Lee SY, Siu HK, Tsang DN. Outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in a nursing school in Hong Kong. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010 Jun; 31(6):653-5.