Xpert(®) MTB/RIF detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from sputum collected in molecular transport medium.

Background: The Xpert(®) MTB/RIF assay is widely used for Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection. However, specimen transport remains a challenge. PrimeStore Molecular Transport Medium(®) (PS-MTM) inactivates specimens and stabilizes DNA/RNA at ambient temperature for subsequent molecular detection.

Characterization of multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis from immigrants residing in the USA using Ion Torrent full-gene sequencing.

Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium (MTB) is spreading worldwide. Three drug-resistant isolates were detected in Burmese, Hmong, and Indian immigrants currently residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Ion Torrent full-gene sequencing and complete genetic analysis was performed within 5 days and compared to results from traditional drug sensitivity testing (DST).

Milwaukee Laboratory System Improvement Program (L-SIP).

The Laboratory System Improvement Program (L-SIP) of the Association of Public Health Laboratories aims to improve state public health laboratory (PHL) system performance through continuous quality improvement. We successfully applied this state assessment tool to a local PHL (LPHL) system by tailoring it to reflect local system needs and created an LPHL system definition explaining how a local system differs from, yet complements, a state system. On November 18, 2010, 75 stakeholders from 40 agencies assessed the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, PHL system, capturing themes, strengths and weaknesses of the system, and scores for each of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.

Evaluation of Luminex xTAG gastrointestinal pathogen analyte-specific reagents for high-throughput, simultaneous detection of bacteria, viruses, and parasites of clinical and public health importance.

Acute diarrheal disease (ADD) can be caused by a range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as culture, microscopy, biochemical assays, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), are laborious and time-consuming and lack sensitivity. Combined, the array of tests performed on a single specimen can increase the turnaround time (TAT) significantly.

Decision analysis: point-of-care Chlamydia testing vs. laboratory-based methods.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the performance of several different methods available for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection, and to explore possible testing and treatment strategies incorporating point-of-care testing versus laboratory-based tests.

Design: Prospective trial and decision analysis.

Setting: Large, urban, publicly funded sexually transmitted disease clinic.

Cryptosporidium parvum-specific antibody responses among children residing in Milwaukee during the 1993 waterborne outbreak.

A major gastroenteritis outbreak among >400,000 residents of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in April 1993 was attributed to Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in drinking water. Plasma specimens obtained from children (6 months to 12 years old) for routine blood lead level surveillance March-May 1993 were assayed by ELISA for levels of IgG antibody against the immunodominant Triton-17 and 27-kDa C. parvum antigens.

A massive outbreak in Milwaukee of cryptosporidium infection transmitted through the public water supply.

Background: Early in the spring of 1993 there was a widespread outbreak of acute watery diarrhea among the residents of Milwaukee.

Methods: We investigated the two Milwaukee water-treatment plants, gathered data from clinical laboratories on the results of tests for enteric pathogens, and examined ice made during the time of the outbreak for cryptosporidium oocysts. We surveyed residents with confirmed cryptosporidium infection and a sample of those with acute watery diarrhea consistent with cryptosporidium infection.

Microbial keratitis associated with plano tinted contact lenses.

The use of plano contact lenses for cosmetic purposes is a recent phenomenon. We report five cases of severe microbial keratitis associated with the use of these lenses. This subpopulation of patients who possess no refractive error are at risk of developing severe complications from contact lens wear.

Filter-culture technique using amoeba saline transport medium for the noninvasive diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Acanthamoeba, a common free-living amoeba, is increasingly incriminated as a cause of keratitis and corneal ulceration. Between March 1986 and July 1988, specimens from seven patients submitted by ophthalmologists to the City of Milwaukee Health Department's Bureau of Laboratories were culture positive for Acanthamoeba. All patients were contact lens wearers.

Shigellosis winter trends in Milwaukee.

Shigellosis cases reported to the Milwaukee Health Department have been highest during the months November, December, and January for eight of the past 11 years (1978 to 1988). Shigellosis in the United States has classically been described as a summer or late summer-early fall disease.

Comparison of the QuadFERM+ 2-hr identification system with conventional carbohydrate degradation tests for confirmatory identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The QuadFERM+ (Analytab Products, Plainview, NY) rapid identification system was evaluated for its ability to identify correctly Neisseria gonorhoeae isolates from specimens obtained at a sexually transmitted disease clinic. One hundred eighty-five isolates (115 N. gonorrhoeae, 45 Neisseria meningitidis, 16 Neisseria species, and nine Branhamella catarrhalis; fresh isolates, frozen stock cultures, and cultures referred from local health agencies) were tested with the QuadFERM+ system and conventional biochemical tests.

An isolation method of DNA from Pneumocystis carinii: a quantitative comparison to known parasitic protozoan DNA.

1. A method for isolating DNA from Pneumocystis carinii is described. 2.

An improved method of isolating Pneumocystis carinii from infected rat lungs.

A new method of isolating Pneumocystis carinii from infected lungs of cortisonized rats is described. Clumping of parasites and host lung material was diminished by suspension of macerated Pneumocystis-laden rat lung in a modified calcium, magnesium-free Hanks' balanced salts solution at physiologic pH and osmolality, containing the wetting agent G-acid. After washing, this material was suspended in a second buffer system for digestion.

Evaluation of the BIOGRAM antimicrobial susceptibility test system.

BIOGRAM is an antimicrobial susceptibility test system for the determination of MICs from the standard disk diffusion test zone diameters. The system was challenged with 511 recent clinical isolates of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, nonfermentative gram-negative bacteria, staphylococci, and enterococci. Results were compared with those obtained with the broth microdilution method.

Electrophoretic analysis of soluble proteins and esterase, superoxide dismutase and acid phosphatase isoenzymes of members of the protozoan family trichomonadidae.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to compare the proteins and isoenzymes of esterase, superoxide dismutase, and acid phosphatase in soluble, whole-cell extracts of four strains of Trichomonas vaginalis, two strains of Trichomonas gallinae, and one strain each of Tritrichomonas foetus, Tritrichomonas augusta, Tetratrichomonas gallinarum, and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Intraspecific, interspecific, and intergeneric differences were found in protein and isoenzyme profiles. At least four to seven isoenzymes were detected among the ten strains for each of the three enzymes studied.