[Isolation and identification methods of enterobacteria group and its technological advancement].

In the last half-century, isolation and identification methods of enterobacteria groups have markedly improved by technological advancement. Clinical microbiology tests have changed overtime from tube methods to commercial identification kits and automated identification. Tube methods are the original method for the identification of enterobacteria groups, that is, a basically essential method to recognize bacterial fermentation and biochemical principles.

Outbreak of CTX-M-3-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacter cloacae in a pediatric ward.

A first resistant strain of Enterobacter cloacae was isolated from a blood specimen in a pediatric patient with immature teratoma-developed sepsis after combination chemotherapy. The strain produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), and the same ESBL-producing strains were detected in urine samples from other patients in the pediatric ward. All strains harbored genes for bla (CTX-M-3) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analysis.

Analysis of micafungin in serum by capillary zone electrophoresis.

A method is developed for measuring the concentration of micafungin, an echinocandin antifungal agent, in serum, using capillary zone electrophoresis. With a 0.1M borate buffer (pH 10.

[Role of a medical technologist in a nutrition support team].

The nutrition support team (NST) in our hospital not only develops clinical nutritional methods in inpatients but also performs the entire nutritional management including nutritional prescription in consultation with the physician in charge. In NST activity, clinical technologists have opportunities to report information on laboratory examination values obtained in daily work and make proposals. These opportunities are useful not only for enhancing the awareness of technologists who have focused on specific duties but also for training medical technologists.

[A case of Mycobacterium goodii infection wifh isolation from blood and a pacemaker lead].

We report a case of blood stream infection due to Mycobacterium goodii in a patient who had an implanting pacemaker. The patient injured left thorax where the pacemaker was implanted several days before septicemia. The microorganism was isolated from both blood cultures and leads of the pacemaker.

Determination of meropenem by capillary electrophoresis using direct injection of serum.

Concentration determination of meropenem, a carbapenem antibiotic, using a capillary electrophoresis method by direct injection of serum samples without any pretreatment is described herein. Sodium tetraborate (25 mM)-sodium hydroxide (0.1 M) containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (90 mM) is used as a run buffer (pH 10.

[Norwalk virus and Noro virus].

Norwalk virus and Noro virus are members of the Caliciviridae. These viruses are morphological similarity in each other and shows small round structure. These viruses also are well known as main pathogens of acute infectious gastroenteritis.

Further method development for measurement of linezolid in human serum by MEKC.

A method for determining linezolid concentration in human serum using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography by direct injection of serum is described. A borate buffer (pH 8.0) containing sodium dodecyl sulfate was used as a run buffer and detection of linezolid was performed at 250 nm (its absorption maximum).

Development and validation of a MEKC method for the direct determination of cefozopran in human serum.

A method for determining the concentration of cefozopran, a cephem anti-microbial agent which has a broad spectrum, in human serum using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) by serum direct injection is developed and the validation of the assays of this method is performed. A borate buffer (25mM; pH 10.0) containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (50mM) is used as a run buffer.

Method development for determining the iohexol in human serum by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography.

Iohexol is widely used in clinical laboratories as a non-ionic radiographic contrast medium. Determination of its concentration in blood has a vital meaning in preventing its side effects caused by its retention in the system. A method for determining iohexol in serum by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) requiring no pretreatment is developed.

A new type of temperature-dependent serum M protein: a case of IgG-lambda type multiple myeloma.

Background: We report a rare case of temperature-dependent serum M protein (thermoprotein), monoclonal IgG(1)-lambda protein isolated from 90-year-old female with advanced multiple myeloma.

Methods: M protein was identified in the blood plasma of the patient by immunoelectrophoresis (IEP). To evaluate the types of bonds, the properties of the protein after reduction and chemical treatment were examined.

Determination of antibacterial flomoxef in serum by capillary electrophoresis.

A determination method of flomoxef (FMOX) concentration in serum by capillary electrophoresis is developed. Serum samples are extracted with acetonitrile. After pretreatment, they are separated in a fused-silica capillary tube with a 25 mM borate buffer (pH 10.

A new fungal lectin recognizing alpha(1-6)-linked fucose in the N-glycan.

In this report, we describe a new lectin from the fungus Rhizopus stolonifer that agglutinates rabbit red blood cells. Agglutinating activity was detected in the extract of mycelium-forming spores cultured on agar plates but not in the mycelium-forming no spores from liquid medium. This lectin, which we designated R.

[Diagnosed tuberculosis using specific DNA probe hybridization methods].

In Japan, reported cases of tuberculosis had declined nearly every year until 1995. However, in 1997 newly recorded cases began increasing for the first time in more than 38 years. Recent studies using DNA fingerprinting show that person- to person transmission may account for as many as one-third of new cases of tuberculosis in citizen populations.

Method development for determining the antibacterial linezolid in human serum by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography.

A precise method for determining linezolid concentration in human serum by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography has been developed and validated. Serum was deproteinized with acetonitrile and etofylline was used as an internal standard. A borate buffer (pH 10.

[Mycoses].

Antifungal susceptibility testing has developed rapidly during the last decade. Through the intensive collaborative work, the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) has published a standardized antifungal susceptibility method M27-A which included interpretive guidelines for 3 antifungal agents. Meaningful large-scale, longitudinal studies of antifungal susceptibility and resistance, based on standardized methodology and interpretive guidelines, have been published and serve as the basis for analysis of resistance trends.

Quantification of pilsicainide in serum by capillary electrophoresis.

A new method for determining pilsicainide concentration in serum by rapid and selective capillary electrophoresis has been developed and validated. For pretreatment, serum was made alkaline and then extracted with diethyl ether. Procainamide was used as an internal standard.