Clinical and Epidemiological Correlates of Low IFN-Gamma Responses in Mitogen Tube of QuantiFERON Assay in Tuberculosis Infection Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Population-Based Marker of COVID-19 Mortality?

Background: The clinical and epidemiological implications of abnormal immune responses in COVID-19 for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening are unclear.

Methods: We reviewed QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) results (36,709 patients) from July 2016 until October 2021 in Asturias (Spain). We also studied a cohort of ninety hospitalized patients with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and a group of elderly hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who underwent serial QFT-Plus and immune profiling testing.

Multicentre study on the reproducibility of MALDI-TOF MS for nontuberculous mycobacteria identification.

The ability of MALDI-TOF for the identification of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has improved recently thanks to updated databases and optimized protein extraction procedures. Few multicentre studies on the reproducibility of MALDI-TOF have been performed so far, none on mycobacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of MALDI-TOF for the identification of NTM in 15 laboratories in 9 European countries.

Diagnosis of Tuberculous Infection in Immunosuppressed Patients and/or Candidates for Biologics Using a Combination of 2 IGRA Tests: T-SPOT.TB/QuantiFERON TB Gold In-Tube vs. T-SPOT.TB/QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus.

Introduction: The diagnosis of latent tuberculous infection (LTI) by IGRA continues to generate debate. Experience in the simultaneous use of 2 IGRA tests is scant. The aim of this study was to compare the results of 2 versions of QuantiFERON-TB Gold (In-Tube/Plus) with those of T-SPOT.

A strategy based on Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) for routine genotyping of nontuberculous mycobacteria at the clinical laboratory.

The increasing worldwide incidence of mycobacteriosis and the need to achieve improved clinical management makes nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) genotyping a useful tool. However, because of technical difficulties, medium size microbiology laboratories do not attempt to compare the genetic patterns that each of their isolates present. We have aimed to optimize a genotyping method with a reduced hands-on experimental time and that requires few technical resources.

Desertomycin G, a New Antibiotic with Activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Breast Tumor Cell Lines Produced by Streptomyces althioticus MSM3, Isolated from the Cantabrian Sea Intertidal Macroalgae Ulva sp.

The isolation and structural elucidation of a structurally new desertomycin, designated as desertomycin G (), with strong antibiotic activity against several clinically relevant antibiotic resistant pathogens are described herein. This new natural product was obtained from cultures of the marine actinomycete MSM3, isolated from samples of the intertidal seaweed sp. collected in the Cantabrian Sea (Northeast Atlantic Ocean).

Buruli ulcers in a Spanish aid worker after a stay in Peru.

Buruli ulcer (BU) is a chronic and destructive infection of the skin and soft tissues caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Recently, population flows have triggered the appearance of several sporadic cases of BU in non-endemic countries. This represents a significant diagnostic challenge for clinicians and microbiologists.

High rates of tuberculin skin test positivity due to methotrexate therapy: False positive results?

Rationale: The tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon ? release assays (IGRAs) are commonly used for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening. Unexpectedly high TST positivity rates have been reported in patients with rheumatic diseases, and methotrexate is frequently used in this population. We hypothesized that methotrexate use could be associated with false-positive TST results.

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria. An Emerging Threat?

Introduction And Objective: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) isolates are becoming more common. The main objective of our study was to establish the number and diversity of NTM species in our region and their distribution according to the source sample, age and gender of the patients, and to analyse clinically significant isolates.

Methodology: Prospective study of all NTM isolated in Asturias from 2005 to 2012.

Utility of Phenotypic and Genotypic Testing in the Study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Resistance to First-Line Anti-Tuberculosis drugs.

Objective: To determine the utility of molecular techniques in the diagnosis of resistance and the extent of resistance to first-line drugs in our region.

Material And Method: From 2004 to 2013, 1,889 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolated in Asturias, Spain, were studied using phenotypic (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines) and molecular (INNOLiPA RIF-TB; GenotypeMDRplus; GenotypeMDRsl) sensitivity tests.

Results: 1,759 strains (94.

Attomolar quantitation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by asymmetric helicase-dependent isothermal DNA-amplification and electrochemical detection.

A highly sensitive and robust method for the quantification of specific DNA sequences based on coupling asymmetric helicase-dependent DNA amplification to electrochemical detection is described. This method relies on the entrapment of the amplified ssDNA sequences on magnetic beads followed by a post-amplification hybridization assay to provide an added degree of specificity. As a proof-of-concept a 84-bases long sequence specific of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is amplified at 65°C, providing 3×10(6) amplification after 90 min.

Outbreak or coincidental cases of tuberculosis? Genotyping provides the clue.

We illustrate how genotyping of mycobacterial strains contributed to the discovery of an undetected outbreak of tuberculosis in a hospital ward, ruling out misleading assumptions of transmission chains. Genotyping should be taken into account in routine tests for the control of tuberculosis.