BD ProbeTec ET assay for the diagnosis of gonorrhoea in a high-risk population: a protocol for replacing traditional microscopy and culture techniques.

Objectives: To evaluate the Neisseria gonorrhoeae Becton Dickinson (BD) ProbeTec strand displacement assay (SDA) on female endocervical swab and male first void urine against culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae on female endocervical and urethral swab for the diagnosis of N gonorrhoeae infection in genitourinary medicine (GUM) attendees. To determine an algorithm for implementation of N gonorrhoeae infection screening by SDA in these patients taking account of the desirability of having a N gonorrhoeae isolate in people with N gonorrhoeae infection.

Methods: Initially, 1582 patients attending the GUM clinic were tested for N gonorrhoeae infection by SDA and routine microscopy, and culture.

Genotyping of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis suggests need for segregation.

Background: Emerging resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa within cystic fibrosis (CF) populations is attributed to antibiotic pressure and spread of transmissible strains. We describe increasing resistance of P. aeruginosa isolates, resulting in the identification of two multiresistant strains and their impact on morbidity.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis: early and late outcome following medical or surgical treatment.

Objective: To compare the early and late outcome of medical and surgical treatment in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis within a single unit.

Design: All patients with proven prosthetic valve endocarditis treated in one institution between 1989 and 1999 were studied.

Results: There were 66 patients (24 female, 42 male), mean (SD) age 57 (14) years.

Evaluation of a new selective medium for methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the performance of a new medium, desferrioxamine oxacillin tellurite egg-yolk mannitol salt agar (DOTEMSA) in detecting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and then to compare this medium against the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) recommendation of mannitol salt agar (Oxoid) with oxacillin (OMSA) and Baird-Parker medium with ciprofloxacin (BPC) for the isolation of MRSA. The individual selective agents contained in DOTEMSA were tested against isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) and the medium with all constituents was challenged with various bacteria. Routine screening specimens were plated out on OMSA, BPC and DOTEMSA and the plates were incubated and examined at 24 and 48 h.