Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Evaluation of a human adenovirus viral load assay using the Altona RealStar ® PCR test
This study evaluated the performance of the Altona Diagnostics RealStar ® Adenovirus Research Use Only (RUO) real-time PCR reagents for HAdV quantitation in plasma samples from immunodeficient patients. The assay was linear from 2.30–9.17 log10 copies/mL (coefficient of determination; R2=0.998) with limits of detection and quantification of 2.19 log10 and 2.30 log10 copies/mL (>95% positivity rate), respectively. Assay precision was highly reproducible with coefficients of variance ranging from 0% to 4.7%. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 26, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Hanna Rennert, Girish Ramrattan, Zhengming Chen, Patrick McIntire, Alber Michaeel, Anna Khazanova, Stephen G. Jenkins, John Sipley Source Type: research

Evaluation of the molecular Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV assay vs. Alere i Influenza A & B assay for rapid detection of influenza viruses
A new FDA-approved Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV assay has been released for rapid influenza virus detection. We collected 134 nasopharyngeal specimens to compare the diagnostic performance of the Xpert assay and the Alere i Influenza A& B assay for influenza A and B virus detection. The Xpert assay demonstrated 100% and 96.3% sensitivity to influenza A and influenza B virus respectively. Its specificity was 100% for both viruses. The Alere i assay demonstrated slightly lower sensitivity but similar specificity to the Xpert Xpress assay. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 24, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: JH Chen, HY Lam, CC Yip, VC Cheng, JF Chan, TH Leung, S Sridhar, KH Chan, BS Tang, KY Yuen Source Type: research

Evaluation of the molecular Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV assay versus Alere i Influenza A & B assay for rapid detection of influenza viruses
A new FDA-approved Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV assay has been released for rapid influenza virus detection. We collected 134 nasopharyngeal specimens to compare the diagnostic performance of the Xpert assay and the Alere i Influenza A& B assay for influenza A and B viruses detection. The Xpert assay demonstrated 100% and 96.3% sensitivity to influenza A and influenza B virus respectively. Its specificity was 100% for both viruses. The Alere i assay demonstrated slightly lower sensitivity but similar specificity to the Xpert Xpress assay. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 24, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: JH Chen, HY Lam, CC Yip, VC Cheng, JF Chan, TH Leung, S Sridhar, KH Chan, BS Tang, KY Yuen Source Type: research

A novel host-protein assay outperforms routine parameters for distinguishing between bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections
Bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are often clinically indistinguishable, leading to antibiotic overuse. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of a new assay that combines three host-biomarkers (TRAIL, IP-10, CRP) with parameters in routine use to distinguish bacterial from viral LRTIs. Study cohort included 184 potentially eligible pediatric and adult patients. Reference standard diagnosis was based on adjudication by an expert panel following comprehensive clinical and laboratory investigation (including respiratory PCRs). (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 24, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Michal Stein, Shelly Lipman-Arens, Kfir Oved, Asi Cohen, Ellen Bamberger, Roy Navon, Olga Boico, Tom Friedman, Liat Etshtein, Meital Paz, Tanya M. Gottlieb, Or Kriger, Yura Fonar, Ester Pri-Or, Renata Yacobov, Yaniv Dotan, Amit Hochberg, Moti Grupper, Iri Source Type: research

Underdiagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia psittaci revealed by Introduction of Respiratory Multiplex PCR assay with Chlamydiaceae family Primers
We describe unanticipated detection of respiratory infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia psittaci after introduction of respiratory multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay that includes Chlamydiaceae family primers. We detected cases of pediatric C. trachomatis and of adult C. psittaci infection in patients with previously unrecognized risk factors. Directed testing for C. trachomatis and C. psittaci based on clinical features and risk factors alone is likely to miss the majority of infected cases. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 24, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Vinita Rane, Kong Khailin, Jackie Williams, Michelle Francis, Despina Kotsanas, Tony M. Korman, Maryza Graham Source Type: research

Phospholipid composition of the outer membrane of Escherichia coli influences its susceptibility against antimicrobial peptide apidaecin 1b
Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) kill bacteria in a multi-modal mechanism by inhibiting the 70S ribosome (i.e., protein translation) as dominant lethal mechanism besides inhibition of several other proteins, such as chaperone DnaK. PrAMPs pass the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, probably by a self-promoted uptake followed by a transporter-mediated uptake from the periplasm. Mutation of transporter protein SbmA is a well-studied resistance mechanism observed in vitro by resistance induction with PrAMPs. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 20, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Rico Schmidt, Ding Yonghong, Ralf Hoffmann Source Type: research

Evaluation of Loopamp ™MTBC detection kit for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis at a peripheral laboratory in a high burden setting
The Loopamp ™MTBC detection kit (TB-LAMP) was designed to replace the sputum smear microscopy for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. We evaluated its performance at a peripheral laboratory in Vietnam. The sensitivity of TB-LAMP was 45.5% [28.1% - 63.6%], which was equal to three-sputum smear microscopy but lower than that of Xpert MTB/RIF (87.8% [71.8% - 96.6%]). In patients with culture-confirmed TB, sensitivity was 80% [51.9% - 95.7%] in smear-positive and 16.7% [3.5% - 41.4%] in smear-negative cases. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 20, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Van Anh Thi Nguyen, Hung Van Nguyen, Thuong Van Dinh, Ha Hoang Du, Chinh Nhu Do, Guy B. Marks, Nhung Viet Nguyen Source Type: research

Teicoplanin resistance in Staphylococcus haemolyticus is associated with mutations in histidine kinases VraS and WalK
We investigated the genetic basis of glycopeptide resistance in laboratory-derived strains of S. haemolyticus with emphasis on differences between vancomycin and teicoplanin. The genomes of two stable teicoplanin-resistant laboratory mutants selected on vancomycin or teicoplanin were sequenced and compared to parental S. haemolyticus strain W2/124. Only the two non-synonymous mutations, VraS Q289K and WalK V550L were identified. No other mutations or genome rearrangements were detected. Increased cell wall thickness, resistance to lysostaphin-induced lysis and adaptation of cell growth rates specifically to teicoplanin wer...
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 16, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Vladimir Vimberg, Jorunn Pauline Cavanagh, Old řich Benada, Olga Kofroňová, Erik Hjerde, Leona Zieglerová, Gabriela Balíková Novotná Source Type: research

Diagnostic performance of commercial serological assays measuring Bordetella pertussis IgG antibodies
Due to their specificity to B. pertussis antigens, immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies should be measured primarily for diagnosing pertussis. We compared the diagnostic performance of commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIAs) measuring IgG to B. pertussis antigens. An in-house ELISA with purified pertussis toxin (PT) was used as reference system. Commercial assays using PT only as coating antigen showed better performance as compared to those using a mixture of different antigens. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 13, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Giorgio Fedele, Pasqualina Leone, Stefania Bellino, Ilaria Schiavoni, Claudia Pavia, Tiziana Lazzarotto, Paola Stefanelli Source Type: research

SPM-1-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST277 Clone Recovered from Microbiota of Migratory Birds
The production of S ão Paulo Metallo-β-lactamase (SPM-1) is the most common carbapenem resistance mechanism detected among multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates in Brazil. Dissemination of SPM-1-producing P. aeruginosa has been restricted to the nosocomial settings, with sporadic reports of environmental isolates due to contamination by hospital sewage. Herein, we described the detection and molecular characterization of SPM-1-producing P. aeruginosa recovered from the microbiota of migratory birds in Brazil. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 10, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Willames M.B.S. Martins, Ana Clara Narciso, Rodrigo Cay ô, Stéfanie Vanessa Santos, Lorena C.C. Fehlberg, Patrícia Locosque Ramos, João Batista da Cruz, Ana Cristina Gales Source Type: research

Antimicrobial activity of plazomicin against Enterobacteriaceae-producing carbapenemases from 50 Brazilian medical centers
Plazomicin is a next-generation aminoglycoside with activity against Enterobacteriaceae, including carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of plazomicin against CPE (Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, Serratia spp., Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter spp., Morganella spp., Proteus spp., Providencia spp.) from different Brazilian hospitals. A total of 4000 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates were collected from clinical samples in 50 Brazilian hospitals during 2013 –2015. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 9, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Andreza Francisco Martins, Larissa Bail, Carmen Antonia Sanches Ito, Keite da Silva Nogueira, Tanise Vendruscolo Dalmolin, Amanda Silva Martins, Jaime Luis Lopes Rocha, Alisa W. Serio, Felipe Francisco Tuon Source Type: research

In vitro activity of tedizolid against the Mycobacterium abscessus complex
Infections due to Mycobacterium abscessus carry a poor prognosis since this rapidly growing mycobacterium is intrinsically resistant to most antibiotics. Here, we evaluate the in vitro activity of the new oxazolidinone tedizolid against a collection of 44M. abscessus clinical isolates. The MIC50s and MIC90s of tedizolid (2 and 8 μg/mL, respectively) were 2- to 16-fold lower than those of linezolid. There was no difference between the three M. abscessus subspecies. Time-kill assays did not show any bactericidal activity at 4- and 8-fold the MIC. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 9, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Fabrice Compain, Daria Soroka, Beate Heym, Jean-Louis Gaillard, Jean-Louis Herrmann, Delphine Dorch ène, Michel Arthur, Vincent Dubée Source Type: research

Molecular characterization of virulence and antimicrobial resistance profile of Shigella species isolated from children with moderate to severe diarrhea in northeastern Brazil
Molecular characterization of virulence and antimicrobial resistance profiles were determined for Shigella species isolated from children with diarrhea in Fortaleza, Brazil. Fecal specimens were collected along with socioeconomic and clinical data from children with moderate to severe diarrhea requiring emergency care. Shigella spp. were isolated by standard microbiological techniques and we developed four multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays to detect 16 virulence-related genes (VRGs). Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using disk diffusion assays. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 9, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Pedro Henrique Quintela Soares de Medeiros, Aldo Ângelo Moreira Lima, Marjorie Moreira Guedes, Alexandre Havt, Mariana Duarte Bona, Luís Carlos Rey, Alberto Melo Soares, Richard Littleton Guerrant, Bernhard H. Weigl, Ila Fernanda Nunes Lima Source Type: research

Antimicrobial activity of plazomicin against Enterobacteriaceae producing carbapenemases from 50 Brazilian medical centers
Plazomicin is a next-generation aminoglycoside with activity against Enterobacteriaceae, including carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 9, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Andreza Faria Martins, Larissa Bail, Carmen Antonia Sanches Ito, Keite da Silva Nogueira, Tanise Vendruscolo Dalmolin, Amanda Silva Martins, Jaime Luis Lopes Rocha, Alisa W. Serio, Felipe Francisco Tuon Source Type: research

Antibody test for Legionella pneumophila detection
Legionella pneumophila is a ubiquitous, pathogenic, bacterium responsible for Legionnaires ’ disease (LD). The detection of these bacteria both in environmental and clinical samples is mainly performed by culture plate method which requires up to 10 days to obtain results. Nowadays, there are commercial antibodies against this bacterium, but they have not been tested against all subgrou ps of L. pneumophila sg 1 or serogroups 1-16 or their cross-reactions with other non-Legionella bacteria. Indeed, many of these antibodies became available when only 8 serogroups of L. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - November 9, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Noem í Párraga-Niño, Sara Quero, Naroa Uria, Oscar Castillo-Fernandez, Josune Jimenez, Francesc-Xavier Muñoz, Miquel Sabrià, Marian Garcia-Nuñez Tags: Original article Source Type: research