Evaluating the accuracy of the MBT Lipid Xtract Kit for assessing colistin resistance in comparison to broth microdilution.

Colistin resistance testing methods such as broth microdilution (BMD) are time-consuming and labour intensive for clinical laboratories. MBT Lipid Xtract Kit on MALDI Biotyper Sirius System (Bruker, Billerica, MA, USA) utilizes lipidomic analysis to identify specific cell wall modifications associated with colistin resistance. We compared MBT to BMD (ComASP Colistin, Liofilchem) across 36 Gram-negative isolates (non-resistant MIC ≤2 µg ml, resistant MIC ≥4 µg ml).

Melting curve analysis reveals false-positive norovirus detection in a molecular syndromic panel.

Background: Molecular syndromic panels can improve rapidity of results and ease clinical laboratory workflow, although caution has been raised for potential false-positive results. Upon implementation of a new panel for infectious diarrhea (BioFire® FilmArray® Gastrointestinal [GI] Panel, bioMérieux) in our clinical laboratory, a higher than expected number of stool samples with norovirus were detected.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate positive percent agreement and the false-positive rate of norovirus detected by the multiplex BioFire GI panel compared to a singleplex commercial assay.

WGS of a cluster of MDR Shigella sonnei utilizing Oxford Nanopore R10.4.1 long-read sequencing.

Objectives: To utilize long-read nanopore sequencing (R10.4.1 flowcells) for WGS of a cluster of MDR Shigella sonnei, specifically characterizing genetic predictors of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight MS for the accurate identification of complex and in the clinical microbiology laboratory.

complex (Bcc) bacteria, currently consisting of 23 closely related species, and , can cause serious and difficult-to-treat infections in people with cystic fibrosis. Identifying bacteria to the species level is considered important for understanding epidemiology and infection control, and predicting clinical outcomes. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight MS (MALDI-TOF) is a rapid method recently introduced in clinical laboratories for bacterial species-level identification.

Reduction in hospital-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus with daily chlorhexidine gluconate bathing for medical inpatients.

Background: Daily bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is increasingly used in intensive care units to prevent hospital-associated infections, but limited evidence exists for noncritical care settings.

Methods: A prospective crossover study was conducted on 4 medical inpatient units in an urban, academic Canadian hospital from May 1, 2014-August 10, 2015. Intervention units used CHG over a 7-month period, including a 1-month wash-in phase, while control units used nonmedicated soap and water bathing.