Photo Quiz
Photo QuizAnswer to January 2019 Photo Quiz
Editorial
The Brief Case
Minireviews
MinireviewStandardization of Nucleic Acid Tests: the Approach of the World Health OrganizationThe first World Health Organization (WHO) international standards (ISs) for nucleic acid amplification techniques were established two decades ago, with the initial focus on blood screening for three major viral targets, i.e., hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and human immunodeficiency virus 1. These reference materials have subsequently found utility in the diagnosis and monitoring of a wide range of infectious diseases in...
MinireviewCryptococcal Meningitis Diagnostics and Screening in the Era of Point-of-Care Laboratory TestingOver the past ten years, standard diagnostics for cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected persons have evolved from culture to India ink to detection of cryptococcal antigen (CrAg), with the recent development and distribution of a point-of-care lateral flow assay. This assay is highly sensitive and specific in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), but is also sensitive in the blood to detect CrAg prior to meningitis symptoms.
MinireviewLimitations and Confusing Aspects of Diagnostic Testing for Neurologic Lyme Disease in the United StatesIn the United States, laboratories frequently offer multiple different assays for testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples to provide laboratory support for the diagnosis of central nervous system Lyme disease (CNSLD). Often included among these diagnostic tests are the same enzyme immunoassays and immunoblots that are routinely used to detect the presence of antibodies to...
Bacteriology
BacteriologyValidation and Implementation of a Diagnostic Algorithm for DNA Detection of Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. holmesii in a Pediatric Referral Hospital in Barcelona, SpainThis study aimed to validate a comprehensive diagnostic protocol based on real-time PCR for the rapid detection and identification of Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis, and Bordetella holmesii, as well as its...
BacteriologyRapid Detection of Fosfomycin Resistance in Escherichia coliThe rapid fosfomycin/Escherichia coli NP test was developed to detect fosfomycin resistance in E. coli isolates. The test is based on glucose metabolization and the detection of bacterial growth in the presence of fosfomycin at 40 µg/ml.
Mycobacteriology and Aerobic Actinomycetes
Mycobacteriology and Aerobic ActinomycetesRapid Identification of Clinically Relevant Mycobacterium Species by Multicolor Melting Curve Analysis...The sustained increase in the incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection and the difficulty in distinguishing these infections from tuberculosis constitute an urgent need for NTM species-level identification. The MeltPro Myco assay is the first diagnostic system that identifies 19 clinically relevant mycobacteria in a single reaction based on multicolor melting curve analysis run on a real-time PCR platform.
Mycobacteriology and Aerobic ActinomycetesGenetic Diversity of Multi- and Extensively Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates in the Capital of Iran, Revealed by Whole-Genome SequencingThe emergence and spread of multidrug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains is a critical global health problem. Between 2014 and 2018, 606 MTBC strains were isolated from 13,892 suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients in Tehran, Iran, including 16 (2.6%) MDR-TB cases.
Mycology
MycologyEvaluation of Vitek MS for Differentiation of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii GenotypesCryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are the main pathogenic species of invasive cryptococcosis among the Cryptococcus species. Taxonomic studies have shown that these two taxa have different genotypes or molecular...
Virology
VirologyA Comprehensive Statistical Framework for Determination of Commutability, Accuracy, and Agreement in Clinical DNAemia AssaysDespite advances in the standardization of quantitative DNAemia tests and efforts to better understand and characterize the performance of reference materials in different assays, it remains unclear how the commutability performance of reference materials is related to intra- and interassay agreement. Building upon previous work, we describe a comprehensive framework to determine the relationship of commutability with assay accuracy and...
VirologyLongitudinal Clinical Performance of the RNA-Based Aptima Human Papillomavirus (AHPV) Assay in Comparison to the DNA-Based Hybrid Capture 2 HPV Test in Two Consecutive Screening Rounds with a 6-Year Interval in GermanyLongitudinal data on the E6/E7 mRNA-based Aptima human papillomavirus (AHPV) assay exceeding three years in comparison to the gold standard Digene Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) test are not available. We previously reported the cross-sectional data of the German AHPV Screening Trial (GAST) in which 10,040 women were recruited and tested by liquid-based cytology, the HC2 assay, and the AHPV assay.
VirologyCorrelation of HBcrAg with Intrahepatic Hepatitis B Virus Total DNA and Covalently Closed Circular DNA in HBeAg-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B PatientsThe purpose of this study was to explore the correlations of serum hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) with intrahepatic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and HBV total DNA in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Serum HBcrAg and other parameters, including HBV DNA, HBV RNA, HBeAg, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), alanine...
VirologyComplex Association of Virus- and Host-Related Factors with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Rate following Hepatitis C Virus ClearanceLittle is known about the effects of virus- and host-related factors on hepatocarcinogenesis in patients who show viral clearance after HCV RNA eradication by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). The subjects of this retrospective study were 1,922 patients with HCV genotype 1 (HCV-1)- or HCV-2-related chronic liver disease who showed a sustained virological response (SVR; defined as negative results for HCV RNA at 12 weeks after the...
Immunoassays
ImmunoassaysSimultaneous Quantification of Plasmodium Antigens and Host Factor C-Reactive Protein in Asymptomatic Individuals with Confirmed Malaria by Use of a Novel Multiplex ImmunoassayMalaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) primarily detect Plasmodium falciparum antigen histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) and the malaria-conserved antigen lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) for P. vivax and other malaria species. The performance of RDTs and their utility is dependent on circulating antigen...
ImmunoassaysClinical Performance of the BioPlex 2200 Syphilis Total & RPR Assay at a Tertiary Medical Center with a High Rate of SyphilisManual treponemal and nontreponemal serologic testing has historically been used for the diagnosis of syphilis. This approach is simple and reproducible but labor intensive.
Epidemiology
EpidemiologyPCR Detection of Respiratory Pathogens in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic AdultsThe frequency of viral respiratory pathogens in asymptomatic subjects is poorly defined. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of respiratory pathogens in the upper airways of asymptomatic adults, compared with a reference population of symptomatic patients sampled in the same centers during the same period.
EpidemiologyEstimated Clinical and Economic Impact through Use of a Novel Blood Collection Device To Reduce Blood Culture Contamination in the Emergency Department: a Cost-Benefit AnalysisBlood culture contamination results in increased hospital costs and exposure to antimicrobials. We evaluated the potential clinical and economic benefits of an initial specimen diversion device (ISDD) when routinely utilized for blood culture collection in the emergency department (ED) of a quaternary care medical center.
EpidemiologyCirculation of Distinct Treponema pallidum Strains in Individuals with Heterosexual Orientation and Men Who Have Sex with Men...Human treponematosis is caused by various pathogenic Treponema pallidum subspecies, including T. pallidum subsp. pallidum, T. pallidum subsp.
EpidemiologyMolecular Typing and Macrolide Resistance Analyses of Treponema pallidum in Heterosexuals and Men Who Have Sex with Men in Japan, 2017In recent years, syphilis notifications have increased dramatically in Japan. We carried out molecular typing and macrolide resistance analyses of Treponema pallidum subsp.
EpidemiologyEpidemiology and Outcomes of Nontyphoidal Salmonella Bacteremias from England, 2004 to 2015Nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) bacteremia causes hospitalization and high morbidity and mortality. We linked Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU) data to the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set to study the trends and outcomes of NTS bacteremias in England between 2004 and 2015.
EpidemiologyStreptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 3 in Mexico (1994 to 2017): Decrease of the Unusual Clonal Complex 4909 Lineage following PCV13 IntroductionStreptococcus pneumoniae expressing serotype 3 has a high virulence and a high case fatality ratio. Most studies of serotype 3 pneumococci have focused on a single lineage, the widespread sequence type 180 (ST180).
Letter to the Editor
Masthead
Current Issue
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.
For Authors
Dr. Alexander J. McAdam, Editor in Chief