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MinireviewAntimycobacterial Susceptibility Testing of Nontuberculous MycobacteriaRecommendations for first-line and second-line drug testing and organism group, specific methodologies, and reporting recommendations have been addressed by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and are important in the selection of appropriate antimicrobial treatment regimens for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease.
MinireviewDiagnostic Identification and Differentiation of MicrofilariaeThe morphologic similarities of the microfilariae and their infrequency in clinical specimens in settings of endemicity present challenges to clinical laboratories in maintaining competence for accurate identification and differentiation.
MinireviewClinical Laboratory Tests Used To Aid in Diagnosis of Human Prion DiseasePrion diseases are a group of rapidly progressive and always fatal neurodegenerative disorders caused by misfolded prion protein in the brain. Although autopsy remains the gold-standard diagnostic tool, antemortem laboratory testing can be performed to aid in the diagnosis of prion disease. This review is meant to help laboratory directors and physicians in their interpretation of test results.
MinireviewCost-Effective Respiratory Virus TestingThe timely and accurate diagnosis of respiratory virus infections has the potential to optimize downstream (posttesting) use of limited health care resources, including antibiotics, antivirals, ancillary testing, and inpatient and emergency department beds.
MinireviewComparison of Respiratory Specimen Collection Methods for Detection of Influenza Virus Infection by Reverse Transcription-PCR: a Literature ReviewThe detection of influenza virus in respiratory specimens from ill individuals is the most commonly used method to identify influenza virus infection. A number of respiratory specimen types may be used, including swabs, brush, aspirate, and wash, and specimens may be collected from numerous sites, including the anterior and posterior nasopharynx, oropharynx, and nares.
MinireviewClinical Utility of Advanced Microbiology Testing ToolsAdvanced microbiology technologies are rapidly changing our ability to diagnose infections, improve patient care, and enhance clinical workflow. These tools are increasing the breadth, depth, and speed of diagnostic data generated per patient, and testing is being moved closer to the patient through rapid diagnostic technologies, including point-of-care (POC) technologies.
MinireviewPractical Guidance to Implementing Quality Management Systems in Public Health Laboratories Performing Next-Generation Sequencing: Personnel, Equipment, and Process Management (Phase 1)Quality standards as part of an effective quality management system (QMS) are the cornerstone for generating high-quality test results. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has the potential to improve both clinical diagnostics and public health surveillance efforts in multiple areas, including infectious diseases. However, the laboratories adopting NGS methods face significant challenges due to the complex and modular process design.
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MinireviewLooking Backward To Move Forward: the Utility of Sequencing Historical Bacterial GenomesMany pathogens that caused devastating disease throughout human history, such as Yersinia pestis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium leprae, remain problematic today. Historical bacterial genomes represent a unique...
MinireviewImplications of Bacteriophage- and Bacteriophage Component-Based Therapies for the Clinical Microbiology LaboratoryTreatment of bacterial infections is increasingly challenged by resistance to currently available antibacterial agents. Not only are such agents less likely to be active today than they were in the past, but their very use has selected for and continues to select for further resistance. Additional strategies for the management of bacterial illnesses must be identified. In this review, bacteriophage-based therapies are presented as one...
MinireviewDiagnosing and Managing Sepsis by Probing the Host Response to Infection: Advances, Opportunities, and ChallengesSepsis is a major source of mortality and morbidity globally. Accurately diagnosing sepsis remains challenging due to the heterogeneous nature of the disease, and delays in diagnosis and intervention contribute to high mortality rates.