A colorimetric method for detection of K-ras codon 12 point mutations in DNA extracted from tissue and peripheral blood in pancreatic disorders.

Molecular-based methods to monitor point mutations require special and expensive equipment unavailable in most hospitals. Colorimetric-based analysis is an ideal platform for K-ras codon 12 gene point mutations because it uses commonly found hospital equipment. The colorimetric assay is sensitive and specific, detecting mutated DNA levels as low as 1% in a wild-type background.

Use of the paraffin wax baiting system for identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the primary pathogen among the Pseudomonads and is known for its minimal nutritional requirements, capacity to use paraffin as a sole carbon source, and biofilm formation. Because the ability of Pseudomonads to grow on paraffin is not commonly found among human pathogens and the primary Pseudomonas human pathogen is P. aeruginosa, we studied the adaptation of the paraffin baiting system for the growth and identification of clinical isolates of P.

A modified broth dilution assay for antibiotic sensitivity testing of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare using paraffin slide cultures.

Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) can utilize paraffin wax as the sole carbon source in basal media. Paraffin slide culture (Para SL/C) has been employed for isolation and speciation of MAI derived from clinical sources. We have evaluated an adaptation of this method for antimicrobial sensitivity testing.

The use of paraffin wax metabolism in the speciation of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare.

Paraffin-wax utilisation or baiting of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) complex organisms and other 'atypical mycobacteria' and the inability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to utilise paraffin are known and useful if forgotten facts. Strains of possible AIDS-related MAI have been introduced into Czapek broth devoid of any carbon source other than paraffin-wax coated slides. Replicate slides showing 'in situ' growth were subjected to the following battery of tests: acid alcohol fast staining and microscopic examination of 'in situ' growth, tellurite reduction in 3 days, absence of urea hydrolysis, inability to reduce nitrates and inability to hydrolyse Tween 80.