More articles from Minireview
MinireviewGenome-Based Prediction of Bacterial Antibiotic ResistanceClinical microbiology has long relied on growing bacteria in culture to determine antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, but the use of whole-genome sequencing for antibiotic susceptibility testing (WGS-AST) is now a powerful alternative. This review discusses the technologies that made this possible and presents results from recent studies to predict resistance based on genome sequences.
MinireviewHuman Bacterial Repertoire of the Urinary Tract: a Potential Paradigm ShiftThe aim of this article is to review the human repertoire of bacteria in urine already described by culture and metagenomic techniques and published in the literature. Our study led us to compare this repertoire with other available human repertoires.
MinireviewAn Update on the Novel Genera and Species and Revised Taxonomic Status of Bacterial Organisms Described in 2016 and 2017Recognition and acknowledgment of novel bacterial taxonomy and nomenclature revisions can impact clinical practice, disease epidemiology, and routine clinical microbiology laboratory operations. The Journal of Clinical Microbiology (JCM) herein presents its biannual report summarizing such changes published in the years 2016 and 2017, as published and added by the International Journal of Systematic and...
MinireviewMedical Parasitology Taxonomy Update, 2016–2017Parasite taxonomy continues to change as molecular and morphologic studies enhance our understanding of parasite relatedness. This minireview builds on the information provided in the last taxonomy update in this journal to summarize new and revised clinically relevant human parasite taxonomic changes that have occurred in 2016 and 2017.
MinireviewName Changes for Fungi of Medical Importance, 2016–2017This article lists proposed new or revised species names and classification changes associated with fungi of medical importance that were published in the years 2016 and 2017. While many of the revised names listed have been widely adopted without further discussion, some may take longer to achieve more general usage.
MinireviewTaxonomic Changes for Human and Animal Viruses, 2016 to 2018The classification of viruses provides the structure necessary to appreciate their biological diversity. Herein, we provide an update to our previous review of changes in viral taxonomy, covering changes between 2016 and 2018.
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...
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.
MinireviewAre In Vitro Susceptibilities to Azole Antifungals Predictive of Clinical Outcome in the Treatment of Candidemia?The purpose of this review is to critically analyze published data evaluating the impact of azole pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, MICs, and Candida species on clinical outcomes in patients with candidemia. Clinical breakpoints (CBPs) for fluconazole and voriconazole, which are used to determine susceptibility, have been defined by the Clinical and...