Need of the Hour: Addressing the Challenges of Multi-Drug-Resistant Health Care-Associated Infections and the Role of the Laboratory in Lowering Infection Rates
Over the past two decades, we have been confronted with an increase in the frequency and diversity of multi-drug-resistant microorganisms, leading in some cases to serious and life-threatening infections. To compound the problem, during the same timeframe, we have seen a significant decrease in the number of new, FDA-approved antimicrobial agents to treat these infections. In order to understand the gravity of the problem, we need to address the reasons behind the dramatic increase in antimicrobial resistance and the consequences facing us, as well as potential solutions to the problem. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - January 6, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Robert L. Sautter, Diane C. Halstead Source Type: news
The Genus Shewanella: a Hard-Wired Pathogen
We report a case of Shewanella algae septicemia in an intensive care unit (ICU) patient. It is important for both clinicians and laboratorians to know how unique this organism is and to recognize its potential as a human pathogen. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - January 6, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Mindy M Sampson, Cuc Mai, John T. Sinnott Tags: Case Report Source Type: news
Coinfection with Acinetobacter baumannii Carbapenem-Resistant and Carbapenem-Susceptible Strains
Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that is emerging as an important cause of health care-associated infections, especially in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) [1]. Among the carbapenem-hydrolyzing class D β-lactamases (CHDL), OXA-23-like enzymes are the most prevalent, occurring worldwide [2]. We isolated carbapenem-resistant and -susceptible A. baumannii strains from different sites in the same patient. Here, we describe the characterization of these isolates and discuss the implications of these f indings and their clinical importance. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - December 27, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Karyne Rangel, Daniela Betzler, Cardoso Gomes, Gabrielle Limeira Genteluci, Maria Jos é de Souza, Maria Helena Simões Villas Bôas Tags: Case Report Source Type: news
Fusarium spp., a Genus of Common Plant Pathogens That Can Cause Devastating, Opportunistic Human Disease
Fusarium spp. are environmental hyaline molds that are pathogens in plants and opportunistic pathogens in humans. In immunocompetent individuals, Fusarium sp. infections primarily include keratitis, onychomycosis, and localized infections due to trauma. However, in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with hematological malignancies, members of this genus can cause devastating, invasive, and disseminated infections with high mortality. In general, these species are resistant to therapy with a variety of antifungal agents. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - December 27, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: William Lainhart Source Type: news
A special invitation to authors
The editors of Clinical Microbiology Newsletter welcome proposals for review articles on topics relevant to clinical microbiologists and infectious disease physicians. If you would like to prepare a brief manuscript on such a topic, please contact Paul Granato with your proposal (see contact information and general guidelines below) to discuss the details of the potential submission. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - December 27, 2017 Category: Microbiology Source Type: news
Clinical Microbiology Newsletter Welcomes New Editors
Dr. Christopher Doern is currently the Associate Director of Microbiology at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System in Richmond, Virginia and an Assistant Professor of Pathology at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. He is board-certified by the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM). In 2008, Dr. Doern received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Wake Forest University and then completed his fellowship in Medical and Public Health Microbiology at Washington University in St. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - December 27, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: M. Wolk, Elizabeth M. Marlowe Tags: Announcement Source Type: news
Fastidious and Furious: Reporting Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing for Fastidious or Infrequently Isolated Bacteria
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of fastidious bacteria is an essential yet challenging exercise for the clinical microbiology laboratory. An understanding of bacterial growth requirements is essential to ensure optimal recovery of pathogens. A working knowledge of reference methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, such as agar and broth microdilution, as well as knowledge of modifications to these systems, will aid the laboratory in the selection of the appropriate AST method to meet regulatory requirements and ensure quality results for patient care. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - December 6, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: D. Jane Hata Source Type: news
Concomitant Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Influenza B Virus Pneumonia in a Child without Evidence of Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Infection
We describe an 8-year-old boy who was admitted to our hospital with pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae and influenza B virus without evidence of influenza A (H5N1) virus infection, during a concurrent H5N1 virus outbreak among domestic chickens in Kelantan, a state in Malaysia. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - November 21, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Zeti Norfidiyati Ayub, Azian Harun, Chan Yean Yean, Alwi Muhd Besari, Mimi Azliha Abu Bakar Tags: Case Report Source Type: news
Promoting Good Laboratory Practices for Waived Infectious Disease and Provider-Performed Microscopy Testing
Laboratory testing at the point of patient care was documented hundreds of years ago and has greatly expanded in the last 25 years due to improvements in technology, miniaturization, and the availability of rapid tests for a wide variety of analytes and microorganisms. Since the implementation of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, the number of non-traditional testing sites that provide testing with minimal oversight through a Certificate of Waiver (CW) or Certificate of Provider-Performed Microscopy (PPM) has increased. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - November 21, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Nancy Anderson, Heather Stang Source Type: news
Lab Tests Online: a Ground-Breaking and Enduring Health Resource
Long before patients were allowed to order lab tests themselves, many patients were confused about even routine tests that their doctor ordered. The American Association for Clinical Chemistry recognized early on the need for concise, peer-reviewed descriptions of individual tests. They set up a system that discussed (i) the reason to get tested, (ii) when to get tested, (iii) the sample required, (iv) any test preparation needed, (v) what was being tested, (vi) when the test should be ordered, and (vii) what the test result meant. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - November 2, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Dominique Smith Source Type: news
A special invitation to authors
The editors of Clinical Microbiology Newsletter welcome proposals for review articles on topics relevant to clinical microbiologists and infectious disease physicians. If you would like to prepare a brief manuscript on such a topic, please contact one of the Editors with your proposal (see contact information and general guidelines below) to discuss the details of the potential submission: (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - November 2, 2017 Category: Microbiology Source Type: news
Laboratory Diagnosis of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterium Infections in Bronchiectasis Patients: Issues and Controversies
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental microbes that can cause pulmonary infection and are especially problematic in bronchiectasis patients with or without cystic fibrosis (CF). Microbiological identification of NTM in these patients is difficult given the high microbial burden in the lungs and the need to differentiate between colonization and transient and true infection. Determining if and when to initiate antimicrobial treatment against this multi-drug-resistant group of organisms is also challenging. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - October 24, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Kara J. Levinson, Peter H. Gilligan Source Type: news
USPS Statement of Ownership
(Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - October 24, 2017 Category: Microbiology Source Type: news
Frequent Relapse of Plasmodium vivax Infection: Case Report and Literature Review
We describe a 52-year-old man with frequent episodes of reoccurring Plasmodium vivax infection that was successfully treated with a combination of artemether-lumefantrine and primaquine. This is the first reported case of relapsing P. vivax infection in Malaysia that was successfully treated with this ACT. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - October 7, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Zeti Norfidiyati Ayub, Habsah Hasan, Zeehaida Mohamed, Alwi Muhd Besari, Mohd Zulfakar Mazlan Tags: Case Report Source Type: news
The Changing Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Valley Fever
Coccidioidomycosis, commonly known as valley fever, is a disease caused by two species of fungi, Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. Coccidioidomycosis is often self-limiting; however, in some patients, the disease can rapidly progress to a severe and potentially life-threatening illness. Proper diagnostics for coccidioidomycosis are important because acute disease can manifest as community-acquired pneumonia, and can be misdiagnosed as a viral or bacterial infection. Improper diagnosis can lead to unnecessary antibacterial therapy and may encourage extra-pulmonary proliferation of the fungus, which then requi...
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - October 7, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Bridget M. Barker Source Type: news
