The Application of 3base™ Technology to Diagnose Eight of the Most Clinically Important Gastrointestinal Protozoan Infections.

Globally, over 3.5 billion people are infected with intestinal parasites each year, resulting in over 200,000 deaths. Three of the most common protozoan pathogens that affect the gastrointestinal tract of humans are spp.

Simultaneous co-detection of wild-type and vaccine strain measles virus using the BD MAX system.

Despite the reported elimination of measles virus in Australia, importation of cases from endemic countries continues to lead to secondary local transmission and outbreaks. Rapid laboratory confirmation of measles is paramount for individual patient management and outbreak responses. Further, it is important to rapidly distinguish infection from wild-type virus or vaccine strains to guide public health responses.

Rapid Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Susceptible S. aureus Directly from Positive Blood Cultures by Use of the BD Max StaphSR Assay.

The BD Max StaphSR assay is an automated qualitative in vitro diagnostic test for the direct detection and differentiation of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). A total of 460 specimens were tested, and the results were compared with standard culture-based identification.

Rapid identification of gram negative bacteria from blood culture broth using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

An important role of the clinical microbiology laboratory is to provide rapid identification of bacteria causing bloodstream infection. Traditional identification requires the sub-culture of signaled blood culture broth with identification available only after colonies on solid agar have matured. MALDI-TOF MS is a reliable, rapid method for identification of the majority of clinically relevant bacteria when applied to colonies on solid media.

Rapid identification of group B streptococcus carriage by PCR to assist in the management of women with prelabour rupture of membranes in term pregnancy.

Background: Management of prelabour rupture of membranes at term (37 weeks gestation or later) (TPROM) remains complicated in the absence of a rapid assay for group B streptococcus (GBS) colonisation.

Aims: To evaluate the accuracy and clinical utility of a commercial PCR assay, compared with culture, for detection of GBS colonisation in pregnant women presenting with TPROM.

Methods: A prospective study of women presenting with TPROM conducted in a large tertiary hospital (Westmead Hospital, Australia).

Improved detection of gastrointestinal pathogens using generalised sample processing and amplification panels.

We aimed to streamline the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease by producing multiplexed real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panels employing universal sample processing for DNA and RNA containing pathogens. A total of 487 stored, previously characterised stool samples comprising bacterial, viral, protozoan and Clostridium difficile positive samples were tested using four multiplexed real time PCR panels. A further 81 pre-selected clinical samples from a teaching hospital were included to provide an independent validation of assay performance.

Rapid identification of Gram-negative organisms from blood culture bottles using a modified extraction method and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

The application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) directly to blood culture broth has potential to identify bloodstream infection earlier and facilitate timely management. We prospectively tested a novel, rapid, and inexpensive in-house spin-lysis protocol with formic acid extraction and compared MALDI-TOF MS identification of Gram-negative bacteria with traditional phenotypic methods (Phoenix™) directly from 318 BACTEC™ (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, USA) blood cultures. The MS score was ≥1.

Clinical utility of the cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay in a diagnostic mycology laboratory.

Background: Cryptococcus neoformans causes life-threatening meningitis. A recently introduced lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) to detect cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) is reportedly more rapid and convenient than standard latex agglutination (LA), but has not yet been evaluated in a diagnostic laboratory setting.

Methods: One hundred and six serum, 42 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and 20 urine samples from 92 patients with known or suspected cryptococcosis were tested by LA and LFA, and titres were compared.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry identification of yeasts is contingent on robust reference spectra.

Background: Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for yeast identification is limited by the requirement for protein extraction and for robust reference spectra across yeast species in databases. We evaluated its ability to identify a range of yeasts in comparison with phenotypic methods.

Methods: MALDI-TOF MS was performed on 30 reference and 167 clinical isolates followed by prospective examination of 67 clinical strains in parallel with biochemical testing (total n = 264).

Comparison of CHROMagar Salmonella medium and xylose-lysine-desoxycholate and Salmonella-Shigella agars for isolation of Salmonella strains from stool samples.

The growth and appearance of 115 stock Salmonella isolates on a new formulation of CHROMagar Salmonella (CAS) medium were compared to those on xylose-lysine-desoxycholate agar (XLD), Salmonella-Shigella agar (SS), and Hektoen enteric agar (HEA) media. CAS medium was then compared prospectively to XLD and SS for the detection and presumptive identification of Salmonella strains in 500 consecutive clinical stool samples. All stock Salmonella isolates produced typical mauve colonies on CAS medium.