Latest Articles
Clinical Veterinary MicrobiologySingle-Cell-Based Digital PCR Detection and Association of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Serogroups and Major Virulence GenesEscherichia coli serogroups O157, O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145, when carrying major virulence genes, the Shiga toxin genes stx1 and stx2 and the intimin gene eae, are important foodborne pathogens. They are referred to as the “top 7” Shiga toxin-producing...
MycologyHuman Blastomycosis in South Africa Caused by Blastomyces percursus and Blastomyces emzantsi sp. nov., 1967 to 2014We reevaluated 20 cases of blastomycosis diagnosed in South Africa between 1967 and 2014, with Blastomyces dermatitidis considered to be the etiological agent, in light of newly described species and the use of more advanced technologies. In addition to histopathological and/or culture-based methods, all 20 isolates were phenotypically and genotypically characterized...
ParasitologyEvaluation of a Novel High-Definition PCR Multiplex Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Human Clinical SpecimensThe incidence of tick-borne infections in the United States has risen significantly in the past decade. Ticks can transmit a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses, that can cause serious illnesses. Therefore, the use of rapid, sensitive, and specific multiplex tests is important to identify the pathogen(s) in the acute phase and determine appropriate treatment to minimize the severity of the disease.
...
VirologyComparison of the ID Now Influenza A & B 2, Cobas Influenza A/B, and Xpert Xpress Flu Point-of-Care Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests for Influenza A/B Virus Detection in ChildrenEarly diagnosis of influenza (Flu) is critical for patient management and infection control. The ID Now influenza A & B 2 (ID Now) assay (Abbott Laboratories), Cobas influenza A/B nucleic acid test (LIAT; Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.), and Xpert Xpress Flu (Xpert; Cepheid) are rapid, point-of-care molecular assays for Flu virus detection. The study aim was to compare the performances of these three commercially available Clinical...
BacteriologyCerebrospinal Fluid Findings Are Poor Predictors of Appropriate FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Utilization in Pediatric PatientsMolecular testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using the BioFire FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis (FA-M/E) panel permits rapid, simultaneous pathogen detection. Due to the broad spectrum of targeted organisms, FA-M/E testing may be restricted to patients with abnormal CSF findings. We sought to determine if restriction is appropriate in our previously healthy and/or immunocompromised pediatric patients.
BacteriologyHelicobacter pylori Infections in the Bronx, New York: Surveying Antibiotic Susceptibility and Strain Lineage by Whole-Genome SequencingThe emergence of drug resistance in Helicobacter pylori has resulted in a greater need for susceptibility-guided treatment. While the alleles associated with resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin have been defined, there are limited data regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to other antimicrobials. Using...
ImmunoassaysDevelopment and Evaluation of a Novel VHH-Based Immunocapture Assay for High-Sensitivity Detection of Shiga Toxin Type 2 (Stx2) in Stool SamplesShiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is the main cause of postdiarrheal hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening clinical complication characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure that mainly affects children. A relevant feature of STEC strains is the production of Stx, and all of them express Stx1 and/or Stx2...
BacteriologyPhenotypic Detection of Plasmid-Mediated Colistin Resistance in EnterobacteriaceaeThe aim of this work was to evaluate an easy-to-perform assay based upon inhibition of mobile colistin resistance (MCR) activity by EDTA. We included 92 nonrelated isolates of Enterobacteriaceae (74 Escherichia coli, 17 Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 1...
VirologyBayesian Evaluation of Solana HSV 1+2/VZV Assay Compared to Viral Culture and Commercial PCR Assay for Cutaneous or Mucocutaneous SpecimensResults from the Solana HSV 1+2/VZV assay for the detection of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in cutaneous or mucocutaneous specimens were compared with that of viral culture and a commercial PCR assay (RealStar alpha herpesvirus PCR kit).
