Performance of Flow Cytometry-Based Rapid Assay in Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales.

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales are increasingly being recognized in nosocomial infections. The performance of a flow cytometry-based rapid assay for their detection and differentiation was evaluated. This is a disruptive phenotypic technology, phenotypic and growth-independent, that searches for the lesions produced by drugs acting on cells after a short incubation time.

A multisite validation of a two hours antibiotic susceptibility flow cytometry assay directly from positive blood cultures.

Background: Rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is urgently needed to provide safer treatment to counteract antimicrobial resistance. This is critical in septic patients, because resistance increases empiric therapy uncertainty and the risk of a poor outcome. We validate a novel 2h flow cytometry AST assay directly from positive blood cultures (PBC) by using a room temperature stable FASTgramneg and FASTgrampos kits (FASTinov® Porto, Portugal) in three sites: FASTinov (site-1), Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain (site-2) and Centro Hospitalar S.

An improved protocol for bacteria identification by MALDI-TOF MS directly from positive blood cultures.

FASTinov® developed a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test that includes the purification of a bacterial suspension directly from positive blood cultures (BC). In order to streamline laboratory workflow, the use of the bacterial suspension obtained through FASTinov® sample prep was tested for identification (ID) by matrix absorption laser deionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) (Bruker) in 364 positive BC, and its accuracy assessed comparing with the MALDI-TOF MS ID of the next-day subcultured colonies. FASTinov sample prep was highly reliable for rapid ID directly from BC with proportion of agreement of 94.

Rapid Detection of Plasmid AmpC Beta-Lactamases by a Flow Cytometry Assay.

Plasmidic AmpC (pAmpC) enzymes are responsible for the hydrolysis of extended-spectrum cephalosporins but they are not routinely investigated in many clinical laboratories. Phenotypic assays, currently the reference methods, are cumbersome and culture dependent. These methods compare the activity of cephalosporins with and without class C inhibitors and the results are provided in 24-48 h.

The Role of Phage Therapy in Burn Wound Infections Management: Advantages and Pitfalls.

Burn wound infections are often the source of bacteria responsible for systemic infections, including bloodstream infections and pneumonia that ultimately can result in multisystem organ failure and death. Any rapid change in the burn wound appearance or the clinical condition of the burn patient may herald burn wound infection or sepsis. The revival of phage therapy, either in single mode or in combination with conventional antibiotics may represent a valuable alternative, to treat specific bacterial infections such as burn wound infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.