Impact of introduction of the BD Kiestra InoqulA on urine culture results in a hospital clinical microbiology laboratory.

This study compared results from plating urine specimens with the BD InoqulA instrument using a 10-μl inoculum with results from cultures plated manually with a 1-μl loop for comparable 2-month periods. The positivity rates, turnaround times for positive cultures, and BD Phoenix identification and antimicrobial susceptibility test results were comparable for both time periods. We experienced no problems with culture interpretation as the result of moving to the 10-μl inoculum.

Automation in clinical microbiology.

Historically, the trend toward automation in clinical pathology laboratories has largely bypassed the clinical microbiology laboratory. In this article, we review the historical impediments to automation in the microbiology laboratory and offer insight into the reasons why we believe that we are on the cusp of a dramatic change that will sweep a wave of automation into clinical microbiology laboratories. We review the currently available specimen-processing instruments as well as the total laboratory automation solutions.

Comparative evaluation of the AccuProbe Group B Streptococcus Culture Test, the BD GeneOhm Strep B assay, and culture for detection of group B streptococci in pregnant women.

We compared a rigorous culture method with the Gen-Probe AccuProbe Group B Streptococcus Culture Test (APGB) and the BD GeneOhm StrepB assay (GOSB) for the detection of group B streptococci (GBS) from an 18- to 24-h LIM broth. Culture (95.3%) and GOSB (95.

First evaluation of the WASP, a new automated microbiology plating instrument.

Many laboratories are experiencing growing shortages of trained microbiology technologists and technicians. Consequently, there is considerable interest in new automation that could potentially lessen labor demands for specimen processing. In this study, we present the first published evaluation of a new microbiology instrument, the Walk Away Specimen Processor (WASP), manufactured by Copan, Inc.

Severe gastroenteritis and hypovolemic shock caused by Grimontia (Vibrio) hollisae infection.

Vibrio hollisae is a halophilic species that was recently reclassified as Grimontia hollisae. This organism is known to cause moderate to severe cases of gastroenteritis. We report a case of an individual who suffered a more severe form of this disease, presenting with profound hypotension and acute renal failure, secondary to hypovolemic shock.

Propionibacterium acnes as a cause of prosthetic valve aortic root abscess.

Propionibacterium acnes isolates usually have relatively low virulence and are often classified as contaminants when isolated from blood and tissue cultures. We report a patient with Propionibacterium acnes bacteremia and late prosthetic valve endocarditis, complicated by an aortic root abscess.

Routine incubation of BacT/ALERT FA and FN blood culture bottles for more than 3 days may not be necessary.

We reviewed time to detection for 35,500 blood cultures collected in BacT/ALERT FA and FN bottles. In the first 3 days of incubation, 97.5% of the 2,609 clinically significant isolates were detected, suggesting that routine incubation for more than 3 days may not be necessary for FA and FN bottles.

Use of swabs without transport media for the Gen-Probe Group A Strep Direct Test.

For several years we used rayon or Dacron swabs with liquid transport media for collection and transport of throat swab specimens for testing with the Gen-Probe Group A Strep Direct Test (GASDT). A report of favorable results with a Dacron swab without any transport media for GASDT by another laboratory prompted us to compare detection of group A streptococci (GAS) with and without transport media (referred to as "wet" and "dry" swabs, respectively). Phase one of this study used swabs seeded with GAS.

Implantable defibrillator pocket infection and bacteremia caused by Nocardia nova complex isolate.

Nocardia spp. are common environmental organisms that, to our knowledge, have never been implicated as causing an implantable defibrillator or pacemaker infection. We describe a 70-year-old male with a recent implantable cardiac defibrillator revision and subsequent device infection and bacteremia caused by a Nocardia nova complex isolate.

Evaluation of Copan swabs with liquid transport media for use in the Gen-Probe Group A Strep Direct Test.

The Gen-Probe Group A Streptococcus Direct Test (GASDT), which detects the presence or absence of group A streptococci directly from pharyngeal specimens, utilizes a specific relative light unit (RLU) cutoff of 4,500 to differentiate between positive and negative test results. In response to a report by a manufacturer that the background RLU values for the Copan rayon swabs with liquid media were higher than the RLU values typically observed with Culturette swabs, we tested multiple lots of Copan rayon swabs with liquid media and determined that the swabs are unacceptable for routine use in the GASDT. The high background RLU values for the Copan rayon swabs appear to be a direct result of the gamma irradiation used to sterilize the swabs.

Comparison of recovery of blood culture isolates from two BacT/ALERT FAN aerobic blood culture bottles with recovery from one FAN aerobic bottle and one FAN anaerobic bottle.

Traditionally, a routine blood culture for adult patients consisted of paired aerobic and anaerobic bottles, but the routine use of an anaerobic blood culture bottle has been challenged in recent years. In this study, we compared the recovery of two FAN aerobic bottles with one FAN aerobic and one FAN anaerobic bottle. Each pair of bottles was collected by a separate collection procedure, and each bottle held a recommended 8- to 12-ml draw.

Identification of Cardiobacterium hominis by broad-range bacterial polymerase chain reaction analysis in a case of culture-negative endocarditis.

Culture-negative bacterial endocarditis may be attributed to fastidious microorganisms, prior institution of antibiotic treatment, or both. We describe a case of culture-negative endocarditis in which a modified Steiner stain revealed bacterial structures in the resected heart valve material. Prompted by this finding, broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of small-subunit ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) was performed, and Cardiobacterium hominis sequences were detected.