Distribution, genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of clinically important bacteria from the environment of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.

Objectives: Hospital environments are potential reservoirs of bacteria associated with nosocomial infections. In this study, the distribution of cultivable environmental bacteria of clinical importance from a Malaysian tertiary hospital was determined and their resistotypes and genotypes were investigated.

Methods: Swab and fluid samples (n=358) from healthcare workers' hands, frequently touched surfaces, medical equipment, patients' immediate surroundings, ward sinks and toilets, and solutions or fluids of 12 selected wards were collected.

Distribution and Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern of Candida species at a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia.

Introduction: Invasive Candida infections cause significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Information on recent trends in species distribution and antifungal resistance in local settings is essential.

Methodology: Yeast isolates identified through standard culture methods throughout 2014 and 2015 from Hospital Ampang, Malaysia were retrospectively studied.

Molecular Characterization of Extended-Spectrum Beta Lactamase- and Carbapenemase-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains from a Malaysian Tertiary Hospital.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections account for high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Increasing resistance toward β-lactams, especially carbapenems, poses a serious therapeutic challenge. However, the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of extended-spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing clinical P.

Evaluation of the Elecsys(®) Anti-HCV II assay for routine hepatitis C virus screening of different Asian Pacific populations and detection of early infection.

Background: Early diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is essential to allow appropriate treatment and prevent transmission.

Objectives: To evaluate the Elecsys(®) Anti-HCV II assay as a routine screening assay in Asia using a large number of samples from different Asian Pacific populations and compare its performance with other HCV assays routinely used in the region.

Study Design: The sensitivity and specificity of the Elecsys(®) Anti-HCV II assay were determined using routine hospital samples and compared with at least one of the following comparator assays at nine independent centers: ARCHITECT™ Anti-HCV; Serodia(®)-HCV Particle Agglutination; Vitros(®) ECi Anti-HCV; Elecsys(®) Anti-HCV; ADVIA Centaur(®) HCV; InTec(®) HCV EIA; or Livzon(®) Anti-HCV.