microbiology
CommentaryComputer Vision and Artificial Intelligence Are Emerging Diagnostic Tools for the Clinical MicrobiologistArtificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming an important component of clinical microbiology informatics. Researchers, microbiologists, laboratorians, and diagnosticians are interested in AI-based testing because these solutions have the potential to improve a test’s turnaround time, quality, and cost. A study by Mathison et al. used computer vision AI (B. A. Mathison, J. L. Kohan, J. F. Walker, R. B. Smith, et al., J Clin...
MycologyEvaluation of a Rapid Fungal Detection Panel for Identification of Candidemia at an Academic Medical CenterThis study was conducted to assess the utility of the T2Candida panel across an academic health center and identify potential areas for diagnostic optimization. A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with a T2Candida panel and mycolytic/fungal (myco/f lytic) blood culture collected simultaneously during hospitalizations from February 2017 to March 2018.
BacteriologyPilot Evaluation of a Fully Automated Bioinformatics System for Analysis of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Genomes and Detection of OutbreaksGenomic surveillance that combines bacterial sequencing and epidemiological information will become the gold standard for outbreak detection, but its clinical translation is hampered by the lack of automated interpretation tools. We performed a prospective pilot study to evaluate the analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) genomes using the Next...
BacteriologyPublic Health Efforts Can Impact Adoption of Current Susceptibility Breakpoints, but Closer Attention from Regulatory Bodies Is NeededMicrobiological testing, including interpretation of antimicrobial susceptibility testing results using current breakpoints, is crucial for clinical care and infection control. Continued use of obsolete Enterobacteriaceae carbapenem breakpoints is common in clinical laboratories.
Clinical Veterinary MicrobiologyTest Agreement among Biochemical Methods, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry, and 16S rRNA Sequencing for Identification of Microorganisms Isolated from Bovine Milk...The objective of this prospective study was a blinded comparison of three methods for the identification of bacteria isolated on Columbia blood agar from milk samples of dairy cows. Basic biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and 16S rRNA partial genome sequence analysis were compared for bacterial identification to the genus or species level.
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.