False detection of rifampicin resistance using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay due to an A451V mutation in .

Background: In a 12 month period, three Irish-born adult cases with pulmonary TB were initially diagnosed by Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay, which detected a rifampicin resistance-conferring mutation prompting treatment as potential MDR cases.

Methods: Further laboratory investigations on the cultured isolates included GenoType MTBDR assay, phenotypic drug susceptibility tests using the BD BACTEC MGIT culture system and MIC broth microdilution tests. Sequencing of the gene was performed using Sanger sequencing and WGS.

Molecular longitudinal tracking of Mycobacterium abscessus spp. during chronic infection of the human lung.

The Mycobacterium abscessus complex is an emerging cause of chronic pulmonary infection in patients with underlying lung disease. The M. abscessus complex is regarded as an environmental pathogen but its molecular adaptation to the human lung during long-term infection is poorly understood.

Mycobacterium microti infection associated with spindle cell pseudotumour and hypercalcaemia: a possible link with an infected alpaca.

A 44-year-old woman who had recently been on immunosuppressive therapy presented with malaise, cough, fever, weight loss, lymphadenopathy, severe hypercalcaemia and a paratracheal mass on imaging. The initial impression was of disseminated malignancy, and lymphoma was suspected. A mediastinal biopsy showed a mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumour containing acid and alcohol fast bacilli (AAFB).

Evaluation of the GenoType Mycobacteria Direct assay for the simultaneous detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and four atypical mycobacterial species in smear-positive respiratory specimens.

A novel, commercially available reverse hybridization assay [GenoType Mycobacteria Direct (GTMD), version 2.0; Hain Lifescience] was evaluated for the direct detection of five clinically relevant mycobacterial species [Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium malmoense, Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium intracellulare] from 54 smear-positive respiratory specimens and the findings were compared with culture results. Three approaches were used for specimen preparation using either whole or 'split' sample volumes and N-acetyl-l-cysteine/3 % NaOH or 4 % NaOH as decontamination chemicals.

Development of an automated extraction procedure for detection of human papillomavirus DNA in liquid based cytology samples.

Liquid based cytology samples are being used increasingly to improve cervical screening and have the advantage that residual cell suspension is available for other tests such as human papillomavirus (HPV) detection. However, as the transport medium is optimised for downstream cytology, problems can be experienced during extraction of nucleic acid. This study aimed to develop a robust protocol for automated extraction of HPV DNA from cervical, liquid based cytology samples using a high throughput robotic system.