Microbiology
Changes in the reporting of antibiotic susceptibility in the reporting of
microbiology New interpretation of susceptibility categories S, I and
R.
As of June 2022, the categories used to generate Microbiology culture sensitivity reports in Catlab have been modified in order to include the new recommendations of the European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST).
Thus the less problematic definitions Susceptible(S) and Resistant(R) remain, but the term Intermediate(I) disappears and the term Sensitive: Susceptible to Increased Exposure: S(EI) begins to be used. This new term refers to microorganisms where treatment will increase therapeutic success by increasing antibiotic exposure, dosage or concentration at the site of infection. At Catlab, the Microbiology department remains available to clarify any doubts.
Microbiological diagnostic of sepsia
Early detection of this organ dysfunction is key to reducing complications that can ultimately lead to patient death. In order to reduce response time, at Catlab, two algorithms are used from positive blood culture,thus allowing positive results and antibiogram to be informed as soon as possible.
Etiological diagnosis of onychomycosis using molecular biology techniques
Onychomycosis is the infection of the nail caused by fungus. It is the most common nail infection worldwide. Most are caused by dermatophyte fungi. The diagnosis is based on microscopic observation and culture, techniques with many limitations such as low sensitivity or slowness of cultures. For these reasons at Catlab, the appropriateness to introduce molecular techniques that significantly increase sensitivity and shorten response time was assessed.
Infection control measures at hospital setting have varied over time and pathogenic bacteria. However, recommendations of the European Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) suggest the implementation of contact precautions in patients colonized or infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Thus, at the University Hospital Mutua de Terrassa, based on clinical experience and several bibliographic reviews,changes have been made in the policy of contact precautions in endemic situations according to involved bacteria.
Lessons learned from SARS-CoV-2 humoral immune response
SARS-CoV-2 serology, using antibody detection may be useful in several scenarios, where the detection of active infection (PCR) may not be sufficient, such as seroprevalence studies, diagnosis of patients with compatible symptomatology and negative PCR or in the control of vaccine efficacy, among other cases.
Catlab has carried out antibody detection using high-performance ELlSA techniques (chemiluminescence, CLIA), making serological diagnosis a very useful tool for a better understanding of humoral response to this new virus.
MICROBIOLOGY-Sexually Trasnmitted Diseases. Microbylogical diagnosis
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a Public Health problem. Every year, approximately 500 million people suffer from chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or trichomoniasis. The microbiological diagnosis of STIs allows not only to detect and treat symptomatic patients but also to detect asymptomatic contacts in order to prevent transmission and reinfection.
At Catlab, depending on each type of sample received a microscopic examination, microbiological culture and detection by nucleic acid amplification techniques are performed in order to optimize the detection of microorganisms involved in these diseases.
MICROBIOLOGY - Response of the Microbiology area against SARS-CoV-2(COVID19)
The reference technique for performing the microbiological diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 is real-time PCR, which allows the detection of various virus genes with a sensitivity greater than 98%. At Catlab, various organizational changes were made to deal with the situation, and offer a SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic service 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
MICROBIOLOGY - Valuation of the screening of Urine cultures in Primary
The diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTI) is based on three factors: the patient's symptoms, the examination of the urine forms and the urine culture. In 2016, to qualitatively optimize the microbiological diagnosis of UTI, a screening of the urine with culture requested is started. The result of this screening is a clear decrease in negative urine cultures, an increase in positive ones, and a tendency to reduce contaminated urine cultures.
MICROBIOLOGY - Poseidon Project; development of a biosensor for Legionella detection
The Poseidon Project has been funded by the Horizon 2020 Program. Six institutions from 4 European countries participated, including Catlab. The objective was to develop a biosensor to monitor the concentration of Legionella in situ in water systems in high-risk facilities. Catlab's task was to validate the prototype detection and quantification of Legionella in water samples.
MICROBIOLOGY - Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In this bulletin, we will see how it is acquired, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated. The current frequency of the disease, and the tests available to the Laboratory to diagnose it.
MICROBIOLOGY - New swabs
The first step of the microbiological diagnosis begins with obtaining the clinical sample; it must be representative of the infectious process that is wanted to diagnose. All the information that the microbiology laboratory can generate depends almost completely on the sample that is sent. Therefore, it is essential that the obtention procedure, the quantity sent, the type of transport and the appropriate speed of delivery. The consequences of a poorly collected and / or badly sent sample may result in the failure to isolate the etiologic agent of the infection.
MICROBIOLOGY - Diagnosis of Meningoencephalitis
Bacterial meningitis causes 120,000 deaths worldwide each year. The Catlab Microbiology area has recently incorporated a new PCR to detect in a short time the 14 microorganisms that most frequently cause meningitis, encephalitis and meningoencephalitis. It is performed in a single CSF sample and after a minimum manipulation. It allows detecting the microorganism in about 2 hours. Thus, inadequate treatments, over-treatments and improved patient management can be reduced.
MICROBIOLOGY - Incorporation of mass spectrometry in clinical microbiology
The Catlab Microbiology area has recently incorporated an advanced technology (MALDI-TOF) to identify bacteria and fungi in a few minutes, in contrast to conventional, very slow methods. It provides advantages in the management of the patient with sepsis, since the speed of information improves the quality of health care: it decreases the duration of empirical treatment, adjusts the administration of adequate antibiotics and reduces hospitalization times.
MICROBIOLOGY - Urinary tract infection. New circuit in Catlab
Urinary tract infections are one of the most frequent infectious diseases. The diagnosis of UTI is based on three factors: the patient's symptoms, examination of the formed elements of urine and urine culture. To optimize the microbiological diagnosis of UTI, a retrospective study of all urine cultures obtained by spontaneous urination was performed to set breakpoints that would allow rule planting negative urine cultures and no significant bacteriuria with sensitivity ≥ 95%. From the results, it is proposed to make a screening urine culture, which exclude the cultivation of all urine samples obtained by spontaneous urination, which leucocyte esterase or nitrites are not detected.
MICROBIOLOGY- Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a public health problem that affects a significant number of the population. It is essential to do a reliable and early diagnosis to avoid infection, its spread and possible complications.
MICROBIOLOGY - Pick-up samples for the study of skin infections and soft tissue
This group of infections is broad and complex. Ranging from skin infections, skin appendages, subcutaneous tissue, fascia and skeletal muscle. They are very common infections of varying severity and can evolve acutely or chronically.
The collection of good quality samples for microbiological analysis, is critical in this process which will determine the microbiological diagnosis.
SEROLOGY - Change of method in serology area
In order to optimize the response time and improve the sensitivity and specificity, we incorporate chemiluminescence technology(QL)instead of some ELISA serology tests.
MICROBIOLOGY - Collection of samples for the study of superficial mycosis
The diagnosis of superficial mycosis analyzed samples of skin, hair and nails. In all three cases, the area where the sample was collected previously cleaned with 70% alcohol, to remove bacterial flora exudates and excipients medication that may interfere with the search for fungi.
MICROBIOLOGY - Urine culture collection rules
The microbiological diagnosis of urinary infection is one of the most frequent test in laboratories.
MICROBIOLOGY – Diagnosis of toxigenic Clostridium difficile Toxigenic Clostridium difficile is the principal etiologic agent in hospital acquired diarrhea. Its occurence has grown significantly in the last few years, and more virulent strains, such as ribotype 027, have been described as causing hospital acquired outbreaks in the USA and Europe. Thus, the diagnosis must be rapid and reliable.
MICROBIOLOGY – Determination of viral producers of gastroenteritis during 2010 The type of sample studiedwas stool, and the total number of samples studied was 2,195. Of these, 10 % tested positive for Rotavirus.
MICROBIOLOGY - Fecal parasites
From Catlab we has made a study of the determination of fecal parasites in 2009.This year a total of 23126 determinations of fecal parasites, of which 1850 (8%) were positive