Lower Respiratory Multiplex Panels for the Detection of Bacterial and Viral Infections
Development of commercial multiplex panels for the detection and diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections is rapidly progressing, and FDA-cleared assays are currently available. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current or soon-to-be available commercial assays, focusing on their analytical performance, advantages, and challenges and the potential impact on patient outcomes when laboratories deploy the assays. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - August 4, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Kevin Alby, Stephanie L. Mitchell Source Type: news
Mycobacterium bovis Infection in a Human in Malaysia
Mycobacterium bovis is a zoonotic microorganism that can be transmitted to humans by ingestion and inhalation and, less frequently, by direct contact through mucous membranes and broken skin. Clinically, tuberculosis (TB) caused by M. bovis in humans is indistinguishable from TB caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Specific diagnosis of Mycobacterium infection may be achieved only by using a series of laboratory tests, including mycobacterial growth characteristics, biochemical properties, susceptibility to pyrazinamide (PZA), and molecular methods. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - August 4, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Siti Suraiya, Nur Izzah Farakhin Tags: Case Report Source Type: news
A special invitation to Authors
The editors of Clinical Microbiology Newsletter welcome proposals for review articles on topics relevant to clinical microbiologists and infectious disease physicians. If you would like to prepare a brief manuscript on such a topic, please contact one of the Editors with your proposal (see contact information and general guidelines below) to discuss the details of the potential submission: (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - August 4, 2018 Category: Microbiology Source Type: news
Avoiding the Headache: Laboratory Considerations for Implementation, Utilization, and Interpretation of Multiplex Molecular Panels for the Diagnosis of Meningitis and Encephalitis, Part II
Meningitis and encephalitis are infections of the central nervous system (CNS) that can range in severity from mild and self-limiting to severe and life threatening. These infections can be caued by a number of bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Appropriate management of these infections is dependent upon an accurate and rapid identification of the infecting organism. Despite diagnostic advances with improved detection and turnaround time, currently, the etiological pathogen in central nervous system infections is identified in only 30 to 50% of symptomatic patients. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - July 21, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Blake W. Buchan Source Type: news
Rhodococcus equi Pulmonary Infection in an Immunocompromised Patient: Case Report and Literature Review
We present a case of R. equi lung abscess in a 49-year-old immunocompromised male who was on long-term corticosteroid therapy. The patient recovered soon after he was treated with vancomycin and imipenem. The identification of R. equi is often difficult, because it closely resembles other bacterial pathogens, such as diphtheroids and Mycobacterium and Nocardia species. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - July 21, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Zeti Norfidiyati Salmuna, Wan Amani Wan Abdul Azim, Azian Harun Tags: Case Report Source Type: news
Avoiding the Headache: Laboratory Considerations for Implementation, Utilization, and Interpretation of Multiplex Molecular Panels for the Diagnosis of Meningitis and Encephalitis, Part I
Meningitis and encephalitis are infections of the central nervous system (CNS) that can range in severity from mild and self-limiting to severe and life threatening. These infections can be caused by a number of bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Appropriate management of these infections is dependent upon an accurate and rapid identification of the infecting organism. Despite diagnostic advances with improved detection and turnaround time, currently, the etiological pathogen in central nervous system infections is identified in only 30 to 50% of symptomatic patients. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - July 11, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Blake W. Buchan Source Type: news
A special invitation to Authors
The editors of Clinical Microbiology Newsletter welcome proposals for review articles on topics relevant to clinical microbiologists and infectious disease physicians. If you would like to prepare a brief manuscript on such a topic, please contact one of the Editors with your proposal (see contact information and general guidelines below) to discuss the details of the potential submission: (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - July 11, 2018 Category: Microbiology Source Type: news
Central Venous Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Caused by Brevibacterium casei in a Hematology Patient
We report a case of B. casei catheter-related bacteremia in a severely immunocompromised hematology patient. Our experience and data from other reported cases indicate that hematology patients with indwelling catheters are at increased risk for infection with unusual bacterial pathogens. These unusual pathogens should be identified accurately, especially in immunocompromised patients. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - June 29, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Giorgio Piccinelli, Enrico Morello, Valeria Cancelli, Alessandro Turra, Michele Malagola, Giuseppe Ravizzola, Francesca Caccuri, Domenico Russo, Arnaldo Caruso, Maria Antonia De Francesco Tags: Case Report Source Type: news
Direct Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Clinical Specimens Using Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests
Tuberculosis continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis directly in clinical specimens using nucleic acid amplification tests enables infected patients to be placed on appropriate therapy much sooner than when results of conventional culture methods are used. The availability of rapid results also facilitates infection control measures to interrupt transmission of tuberculosis in healthcare settings. The era of commercially available molecular diagnostics for detection of M. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - June 29, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Ellen Jo Baron, Fred C. Tenover, Devasena Gnanashanmugam Source Type: news
Efficacy of Probiotics in Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases
Deaths from infectious diseases and deep concerns about increases in microbial resistance make it necessary for scientists to develop innovative therapeutic solutions and complementary therapies. Growing evidence is available on the therapeutic effects of probiotics. There are also documents about the beneficial effects of probiotics, but it is difficult to draw a definitive conclusion regarding the results of these studies because of the small sample size, the limitations of the study methods, and the use of different strains of probiotic bacteria. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - June 7, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Farzaneh Mohammadzadeh Rostami, Hadis Mousavi, Morteza Rabi Nezhad Mousavi, Milad Shahsafi Source Type: news
Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infection: Two Case Reports and Literature Review
In this report, we describe two cases of C. diphtheriae infection. The first is a case of cutaneous diphtheria in a Malaysian woman caused by a toxigenic strain of C. diphtheriae. In the second case, a nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae strain was isolated from the blood of a fully vaccinated pediatric patient with underlying congenital heart disease. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - June 7, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Zeti Norfidiyati Salmuna, Wan Amani Wan Abdul Azim, Murnihayati Hassan, Azian Harun, Siti Asma' Hasan, Alwi Muhd Besari, Mohd Rizal Mohd Zain Tags: Case Report Source Type: news
Why Can't We Just Use PCR? The Role of Genotypic versus Phenotypic Testing for Antimicrobial Resistance Testing
There is a need for phenotypic susceptibility testing that is expeditious and that can be performed directly from clinical specimens. While rapid pathogen identification is important, it is the susceptibility result that is essential for antimicrobial optimization. The options for rapid susceptibility testing are limited, with the majority of commercial tests available offering genotypic resistance detection only. In this article, a laboratorian and a clinician discuss the benefits and limitations of genotypic and phenotypic susceptibility testing and provide examples of how results should be interpreted to maximize the cl...
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - May 22, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Jennifer Dien Bard, Francesca Lee Source Type: news
A special invitation to Authors
The editors of Clinical Microbiology Newsletter welcome proposals for review articles on topics relevant to clinical microbiologists and infectious disease physicians. If you would like to prepare a brief manuscript on such a topic, please contact one of the Editors with your proposal (see contact information and general guidelines below) to discuss the details of the potential submission: (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - May 22, 2018 Category: Microbiology Source Type: news
Aerococcus urinae, Alloscardovia omnicolens, and Actinotignum schaalii: the AAA Minor League Team of Urinary Tract Infection Pathogens
In clinical microbiology laboratories, advancements in the methods used for routine organism identification have facilitated more accurate species level resolution. This, along with increasing knowledge regarding “new” pathogens, has provided new insights into biology and has revealed clinical associations not previously known. Aerococcus urinae, Alloscardovia omnicolens, and Actinotignum schaalii are Gram-positive bacteria associated with urinary tract infections but can also be members of the urinary t ract microbiota. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - May 9, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: William Lainhart, Mark D. Gonzalez Source Type: news
A special invitation to authors
The editors of Clinical Microbiology Newsletter welcome proposals for review articles on topics relevant to clinical microbiologists and infectious disease physicians. If you would like to prepare a brief manuscript on such a topic, please contact one of the Editors with your proposal (see contact information and general guidelines below) to discuss the details of the potential submission: (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - May 9, 2018 Category: Microbiology Source Type: news
