Use of Rapid Molecular Polymerase Chain Reaction in Early Detection of Bacteremia in Neonates Prior to Blood Culture Positivity: A Pilot Study.

Objective: There has been national strive to decrease the time needed to identify microorganisms in blood culture samples to reduce antibiotic use. This study evaluated rapid molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) use in identifying microorganisms in negative culture bottles from neonates with suspected bacterial blood stream infection at 20 to 24 hours of incubation.

Study Design: All blood specimens from neonates with suspected blood stream infection were included.

Characteristics and Severity of Disease among 100 Cases of Imported Malaria Seen at a U.S. University Hospital, 2000-2017.

Malaria acquired in endemic areas poses a substantial risk to travelers arriving in or returning to the United States. Timely diagnosis and recognition of severe illness are crucial; however, many U.S.

Single-molecule long-read 16S sequencing to characterize the lung microbiome from mechanically ventilated patients with suspected pneumonia.

In critically ill patients, the development of pneumonia results in significant morbidity and mortality and additional health care costs. The accurate and rapid identification of the microbial pathogens in patients with pulmonary infections might lead to targeted antimicrobial therapy with potentially fewer adverse effects and lower costs. Major advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) allow culture-independent identification of pathogens.

A cost-effective interdisciplinary approach to microbiologic send-out test use.

Context: Use of reference laboratories for selected laboratory testing (send-out tests) represents a significant source of laboratory costs. As the use of more complex molecular analyses becomes common in the United States, strategies to reduce costs in the clinical laboratory must evolve in order to provide high-value, cost-effective medicine.

Objective: To report a strategy that employs clinical pathology house staff and key hospital clinicians in the effective use of microbiologic send-out testing.

Induction of MRSA Biofilm by Low-Dose β-Lactam Antibiotics: Specificity, Prevalence and Dose-Response Effects.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of hospital- and community-associated infections. The formation of adherent clusters of cells known as biofilms is an important virulence factor in MRSA pathogenesis. Previous studies showed that subminimal inhibitory (sub-MIC) concentrations of methicillin induce biofilm formation in the community-associated MRSA strain LAC.

Nasal colonization among premature infants treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure.

We examined the relationship between the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and nasal colonization among low-birth-weight (LBW) infants. We prospectively cultured the nares of LBW infants on admission and weekly until hospital discharge. The modality of respiratory support during each culture was recorded.

PREFABRICATION DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR A LONG-TERM ELECTRICALLY-ACTUATED ABDOMINAL LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE (E-TYPE ALVAD).

The conceptual design and development of a long-term, low-profile intracorporeal left ventricular assist device is a multifaceted project involving a series of technical, anatomic and physiologic considerations. Patients with severe left ventricular failure refractory to all other forms of therapy could benefit from such a device. Prior to fabrication of such a blood pump, consideration must be given to physiologic parameters of the projected patient population.