diagnostics
Mycobacteriology and Aerobic ActinomycetesImplementation of Semiautomated Antimicrobial Susceptibility Interpretation Hardware for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria May Overestimate Susceptibility...Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) cause severe opportunistic infections and have a rising incidence in most settings. Rising diagnostic need must be met by national reference laboratories, which rely on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guideline-approved manual readout of microtiter plates for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) to determine antibiotic minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs).
MinireviewCRISPR-Cas Biology and Its Application to Infectious DiseasesInfectious diseases remain a global threat contributing to excess morbidity and death annually, with the persistent potential for destabilizing pandemics. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, along with rapid diagnosis and treatment of human infections, is essential for improving infectious disease outcomes worldwide.
BacteriologyImpact of Gastrointestinal Panel Implementation on Health Care Utilization and OutcomesPCR-based multiplex gastrointestinal (GI) pathogen panels have started to replace stool culture and ova and parasite exam as a rapid and accurate means of diagnosing acute gastroenteritis. However, there are limited data on the impact of panel testing on patient outcomes.
BacteriologyUsing Machine Learning To Predict Antimicrobial MICs and Associated Genomic Features for Nontyphoidal SalmonellaNontyphoidal Salmonella species are the leading bacterial cause of foodborne disease in the United States. Whole-genome sequences and paired antimicrobial susceptibility data are available for Salmonella strains because of surveillance efforts from public health agencies.
Photo QuizAnswer to February 2019 Photo Quiz
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.
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...
ImmunoassaysA Novel Sensitive Immunoassay Targeting the 5-Methylthio-d-Xylofuranose–Lipoarabinomannan Epitope Meets the WHO's Performance Target for Tuberculosis DiagnosisThe only currently commercialized point-of-care assay for tuberculosis (TB) that measures lipoarabinomannan (LAM) in urine (Alere LF-LAM) has insufficient sensitivity. We evaluated the potential of 100 novel monoclonal antibody pairs targeting a variety of LAM epitopes on a sensitive electrochemiluminescence platform to improve the diagnostic accuracy.
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...
