Highly sensitive detection of Staphylococcus aureus directly from patient blood.

Background: Rapid detection of bloodstream infections (BSIs) can be lifesaving. We investigated the sample processing and assay parameters necessary for highly-sensitive detection of bloodstream bacteria, using Staphylococcus aureus as a model pathogen and an automated fluidic sample processing-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platform as a model diagnostic system.

Methodology/principal Findings: We compared a short 128 bp amplicon hemi-nested PCR and a relatively shorter 79 bp amplicon nested PCR targeting the S.

Rapid universal identification of bacterial pathogens from clinical cultures by using a novel sloppy molecular beacon melting temperature signature technique.

A real-time PCR assay with the ability to rapidly identify all pathogenic bacteria would have widespread medical utility. Current real-time PCR technologies cannot accomplish this task due to severe limitations in multiplexing ability. To this end, we developed a new assay system which supports very high degrees of multiplexing.

Rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampin resistance by use of on-demand, near-patient technology.

Current nucleic acid amplification methods to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis are complex, labor-intensive, and technically challenging. We developed and performed the first analysis of the Cepheid Gene Xpert System's MTB/RIF assay, an integrated hands-free sputum-processing and real-time PCR system with rapid on-demand, near-patient technology, to simultaneously detect M. tuberculosis and rifampin resistance.

Disappearance of vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease and emergence of serotype 19A in a minority population with a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and low childhood immunization rates.

We analyzed the epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) following introduction of pneumococcal conjugated vaccine in an urban population with a 2% human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence and history of low childhood immunization rates. We observed near-elimination of vaccine-type IPD. Substantial disease remains due to non-vaccine-type pneumococci, highlighting the need to increase pneumococcal immunization among HIV-infected adults.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in an underimmunized, high HIV prevalence population.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in a predominantly minority population with low childhood immunization rates and high HIV prevalence, during the early childhood pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) era.

Methods: A retrospective cases series analysis of 131 patients diagnosed with IPD at University Hospital in Newark, NJ from 2000 through 2005, and who had their pneumococcal isolates serotyped, was conducted. Changes in IPD over time were analyzed with the Cochran-Armitage test and linear regression.

An outbreak of Fusarium keratitis associated with contact lens use in the northeastern United States.

Purpose: To report an outbreak of Fusarium keratitis in contact lens (CL) wearers in the northeastern United States.

Methods: Over a 41-month period, all cases with culture-proven corneal ulceration secondary to Fusarium at 2 tertiary care eye centers were identified through the microbiology departments of each institution, and a retrospective review of charts was performed. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate a possible association of Fusarium keratitis with specific CL and CL solution brands.

A detailed analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene segments for the diagnosis of pathogenic bacteria.

Bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes contain nine "hypervariable regions" (V1-V9) that demonstrate considerable sequence diversity among different bacteria. Species-specific sequences within a given hypervariable region constitute useful targets for diagnostic assays and other scientific investigations. No single region can differentiate among all bacteria; therefore, systematic studies that compare the relative advantage of each region for specific diagnostic goals are needed.

Sporothrix schenckii fungemia without disseminated sporotrichosis.

Fungemia is a rare complication of Sporothrix schenckii infection and has always been associated with disseminated sporotrichosis. We describe an immunocompetent patient with localized lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis from whose blood the fungus was isolated. A lysis-centrifugation blood culture system may have improved our ability to detect low-level S.

Cocaine-associated thrombocytopenia.

In this retrospective report, four male intravenous cocaine users are described with thrombocytopenia temporally related to the use of the drug. Mucosal bleeding and megakaryocytic hyperplasia occurred in all patients. The cocaine-thrombocytopenia relationship was especially apparent in one individual who developed thrombocytopenia on two separate occasions after intravenous cocaine use.

Cardiac tumors.

Cardiac tumors are great imitators in cardiovascular disease. Common clinical presentations include arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, pericardial effusion, pulmonary or systemic embolic disease, valvular dysfunction and constitutional symptoms, such as fever, malaise and weight loss. M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography have simplified diagnosis, but the physician must have a high index of suspicion.

Laboratory diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

To examine the use of the laboratory in the diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and to determine the specificity and sensitivity of the Weil-Felix test, hemagglutination, complement fixation, and skin biopsy immunofluorescence in the hospital, we reviewed our experience during th year 1978. Sera were submitted from 142 patients and skin biopsies from 16 patients suspected of having RMSF. Sensitivity rates of methods in the acute phase were skin biopsy, 70%; Proteus OX-19 agglutination, 65%; hemagglutination, 19%; Proteus OX-2 agglutination, 18%; and CF, 0%.

On the regulation of adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate synthesis in bacteria. I. Effect of carbon source variation on cyclic AMP synthesis in Escherichia coli B/r.

1. The effect of carbon source variation in bacterial growth media on their growth rate, inducible enzyme and cyclic AMP synthesis was examined: an inverse relationship between the culture's growth rate and its differential rate of inducible enzyme (tryptophanase and beta-galactosidase), and cyclic AMP synthesis was found. 2.