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Editorials
The Brief Case
Minireviews
MinireviewDetection of Respiratory Colonization by Kingella kingae and the Novel Kingella negevensis Species in Children: Uses and MethodologyThe recognition of the role of Kingella kingae as one of the main etiologic agents of skeletal system infections in young children and the recent discovery of the novel Kingella negevensis species have resulted in an increasing interest in these two emerging pediatric pathogens. Both bacteria...
MinireviewRapid Antigen Tests for Influenza: Rationale and Significance of the FDA ReclassificationRapid antigen tests for influenza, here referred to as rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs), have been widely used for the diagnosis of influenza since their introduction in the 1990s due to their ease of use, rapid results, and suitability for point of care (POC) testing. However, issues related to the diagnostic sensitivity of these assays have been known for decades, and these issues gained greater attention following reports of...
MinireviewYellow Fever Virus: Diagnostics for a Persistent Arboviral ThreatYellow fever (YF) is the prototypical hemorrhagic fever and results from infection with yellow fever virus (YFV), which is endemic to regions of Africa and South America. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, YFV continues to cause disease throughout regions where it is endemic, including intermittent large outbreaks among undervaccinated populations.
Bacteriology
BacteriologyEvaluation of a Culture-Dependent Algorithm and a Molecular Algorithm for Identification of Shigella spp., Escherichia coli, and Enteroinvasive E. coliIdentification of Shigella spp., Escherichia coli, and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) is challenging because of their close relatedness. Distinction is vital, as infections with...
BacteriologyRapid Direct Susceptibility Testing from Positive Blood Cultures by the Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry-Based Direct-on-Target Microdroplet Growth AssayThe recently developed direct-on-target microdroplet growth assay (DOT-MGA) allows rapid universal antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Here, we investigated a direct application of this method on positive blood cultures (BCs) for the acceleration of sepsis diagnostics.
Mycobacteriology and Aerobic Actinomycetes
Mycobacteriology and Aerobic ActinomycetesFISHing Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex by Use of a rpoB DNA Probe BaitRoutine staining of sputum specimens does not identify acid-fast bacilli as Mycobacterium tuberculosis with utmost precision, limiting its usability as a confirmatory test for pulmonary tuberculosis. We have combined Ziehl-Neelsen staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect M...
Mycobacteriology and Aerobic ActinomycetesDepressed Gamma Interferon Responses and Treatment Outcomes in Tuberculosis Patients: a Prospective Cohort StudyImmunosuppression induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is important in the pathogenesis of active tuberculosis (TB). However, the impact of depressed TB-specific and non-TB-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ) response on the treatment outcomes of TB patients remains uncertain.
Mycology
MycologyDetection of (1,3)-β-d-Glucan in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Histoplasma MeningitisThe diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) histoplasmosis is often difficult. Although cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (1,3)-β-d-glucan (BDG) is available as a biological marker for the diagnosis of fungal meningitis, there are limited data on its use for the diagnosis of Histoplasma meningitis.
MycologyPCR-Based Approach Targeting Mucorales-Specific Gene Family for Diagnosis of MucormycosisMucormycosis is an aggressive, life-threatening infection caused by fungi in the order Mucorales. The current diagnosis of mucormycosis relies on mycological cultures, radiology and histopathology.
MycologyComparison of the Sensititre YeastOne and CLSI M38-A2 Microdilution Methods in Determining the Activity of Amphotericin B, Itraconazole, Voriconazole, and Posaconazole against Aspergillus SpeciesThis study compared the YeastOne and reference CLSI M38-A2 broth microdilution methods for antifungal susceptibility testing of Aspergillus species. The MICs of antifungal agents were determined for 100 Aspergillus isolates, including 54...
MycologyBronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Cytology in Culture-Documented Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients with Hematologic Diseases: Analysis of 67 EpisodesThere is a paucity of studies on the yield of Gomori-methenamine-silver (GMS) staining in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cytology and its comparison with fluorescent dye staining for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with hematologic malignancies. To that end, we analyzed the yield of direct fungal visualization in BAL fluid cytology with GMS staining, in a series of culture-positive IPA cases in 67...
Parasitology
ParasitologyBmGPAC, an Antigen Capture Assay for Detection of Active Babesia microti InfectionHuman babesiosis is an emerging zoonotic infectious disease caused by intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. Most cases of human babesiosis are caused by Babesia microti and often manifest in individuals over the age of 50 years or in patients with a compromised immune system....
Virology
VirologyMulticenter Evaluation of Two Next-Generation HIV-1 Quantitation Assays, Aptima Quant Dx and Cobas 6800, in Comparison to the RealTime HIV-1 Reference AssayHigh accuracy and precision at the lower end of quantification are crucial requirements of a modern HIV viral load (VL) assay, since some clinically relevant thresholds are located at 50 and 200 copies/ml. In this study, we compared the performance of two new fully automated HIV-1 VL assays, Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx and Cobas HIV-1 (Cobas 6800), with the established RealTime m2000 assay.
VirologyMonitoring Viral Genetic Variation as a Tool To Improve Molecular Diagnostics for Mumps VirusHere, we report how the analysis of viral genetic variation using next-generation sequencing (NGS) can be used as a tool to improve mumps virus diagnostics. Analysis of NGS data from recently circulating mumps virus isolates allowed optimization of the current mumps virus real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) by primer and probe modifications due to nucleotide variations.
VirologyComparison of Herpes Simplex Virus PCR with Culture for Virus Detection in Multisource Surface Swab Specimens from NeonatesThe American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends herpes simplex virus (HSV) culture or PCR for testing of swabs of the conjunctivae, mouth, nasopharynx, and rectum (surface swabs) from neonates. The objectives of this study were to compare the performance and time to results of HSV PCR with those of HSV culture with surface swabs from neonates.
VirologyStability of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Serological Markers in Samples Collected as HemaSpot and Whatman 903 Dried Blood SpotsDried blood spots (DBS) are frequently used in clinical testing for biosurveillance, infectious disease and confirmatory testing, and clinical trials, particularly for populations in remote areas. The HemaSpot-HF blood collection device (HS) provides an alternative format to the Whatman 903 cards (903) to simplify sample collection and processing.
Immunoassays
ImmunoassaysLaboratory Evaluation of a Commercially Available Rapid Syphilis TestSerological diagnosis of syphilis depends on assays that detect treponemal and nontreponemal antibodies. Laboratory certification and trained personnel are needed to perform most of these tests, while high costs and long turnaround time can hinder treatment initiation or linkage to care.
Clinical Veterinary Microbiology
Clinical Veterinary Microbiologycytb as a New Genetic Marker for Differentiation of Prototheca SpeciesAchlorophyllous unicellular microalgae of the genus Prototheca (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) are the only known plants that cause infections in both humans and animals, collectively referred to as protothecosis. Human...
Epidemiology
EpidemiologyLower Airway Bacterial Colonization Patterns and Species-Specific Interactions in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseLittle is known about interactions between nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in...
EpidemiologyOutbreak of Glomerulonephritis Caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus SzPHV5 Type in Monte Santo de Minas, Minas Gerais, BrazilStreptococcus zooepidemicus is an emerging and opportunistic zoonotic pathogen which plays an important role in the development of severe and life-threatening diseases and is potentially capable of triggering large glomerulonephritis outbreaks. Between December 2012 and February 2013, 175 cases of glomerulonephritis were confirmed in the town of Monte Santo de Minas,...
EpidemiologyDiagnostic Performance of Multiplex Nucleic Acid Testing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage and Bronchial Wash Specimens for Respiratory Viral PathogensThere is limited knowledge on the yield of performing multiplex nucleic acid testing (NAT) on multiple lower respiratory tract specimens from a single patient with a single instance of infection. We evaluated the performance characteristics of multiplex NAT assays performed concurrently on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and bronchial wash (BW) specimens to detect respiratory pathogens.
Letter to the Editor
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About JCM
Journal of Clinical Microbiology® (JCM) publishes the most current research related to the laboratory diagnosis of human and animal infections and the role of the laboratory in both the management of infectious diseases and the elucidation of the epidemiology of infections.
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Dr. Alexander J. McAdam, Editor in Chief
Commentary
In their article in this issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, S. R.