The Distribution of Enteric Infections Utilizing Stool Microbial Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing in Clinical Practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 1900-1909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan E. Axelrad ◽  
Andrew Joelson ◽  
Yael Nobel ◽  
Susan Whittier ◽  
Garrett Lawlor ◽  
...  
2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Γεωργία Κόκκαλη

IntroductionOne of the most difficult aspects in assisted reproductive technology (ART) is the selection of asuitable embryo for transfer to the patient’s uterus, in order to achieve implantation anddevelopment to term. This study was based on the hypothesis that preimplantation embryosmay have different gene expression profiles that characterize their ability to implant in theuterus and develop to a healthy baby at term.The main aim of this study was to investigate molecular markers associated with developmentalcompetence and successful implantation in ART. The primary aim of the study was to developand optimize a blastocyst biopsy method, suitable for application in clinical practice. Thesecondary aim of the study was to investigate the gene expression of beta Human ChorionicGonadotropin (CGβ) in blastocysts and correlate it with their morphology. Previously to thecurrent study, blastocyst biopsy was not implemented in clinical practice and no prior researchon the existence, quantification and standardization of transcripts of CGβ has been performedin blastocysts.MethodologyThe methodology for trophectoderm cell biopsy from blastocysts was developed and optimizedprimary to be a safe technique for the embryo and secondary to ensure biopsy of a sufficientnumber of cells, in order to allow the application of multiple molecular analyses. The blastocystbiopsy method involved three steps: A., opening of a hole in the zona pellucida using lowfrequency laser, B., blastocyst culture to allow trophectoderm cells to herniate from the holeand C., trophectoderm cell dissection of the blastocyst mass by laser ablation.The methodology for the investigation of CGβ gene expression in blastocysts, included RNAisolation, cDNA synthesis, amplification and quantification of CGβ transcripts. Because CGβ isencoded by a cluster of homologous genes (CGβ1, CGβ2, CGβ3, CGβ5, CGβ7, CGβ8),methodology was designed considering the homology between them into groups (A: CGβ1,CGβ2 and B: CGβ3, CGβ5, CGβ7, CGβ8). For group A, real time polymerase chain reaction (RealTime PCR, RT-PCR) was applied and then transcripts were identified using restriction enzymedigestion. For group B, nested polymerase chain reaction (Nested-PCR) was used incombination with polymerase chain reaction temperature decreasing hybridization (Touch-downPCR). Following amplification, the products were sequenced (DNA sequencing) for theiridentification.ResultsThe biopsy technique did not appear to impact on the blastocyst’s ability to reform a blastocoelecavity and continue to grow and hatch from the zona pellucida, as it was shown followingfurther in vitro culture. No blastocyst showed signs of morphological damage at the lightmicroscopic level. Blastocyst biopsy was applied in clinical practice in two steps: A., 49 couples undergoing IVF had a biopsy in 153 blastocysts. The implantation rate per blastocysttransferred was 34.3% and lead to 23 full-term pregnancies (46.9%) with 37 babies born. B.,24 couples undergoing IVF for PGD of monogenic diseases had biopsy in 144 blastocysts. Thediagnosis success rate was 93%, the implantation rate per blastocyst transferred was 40% andlead to 11 full-term pregnancies (50%) with 15 term newborns. Then, a randomized pilot studywas conducted with the aim to evaluate and compare the diagnosis and implantation successrates between patients undergoing blastomere biopsy and blastocyst transfer and those havingtrophectoderm biopsy and blastocyst transfer for the diagnosis of monogenic diseases. Theresults showed that the diagnosis success rate was superior in the blastocyst biopsy group,while implantation and pregnancy rates were not statistically significant between the twogroups.For the study of CGβ expression profiles 45 blastocysts were donated to research, of which 39generated trophectoderm cells cDNA libraries. RT-PCR revealed the presence of CGB3, CGB5,CGB7, CGB8 transcripts in 5 blastocysts. The transcripts CGB5, CGB7, CGB8 were expressed inone hatched and one hatching blastocysts (fair morphology on day 7 post insemination) and thetranscript CGβ3 was expressed in three hatched blastocysts (excellent morphology on day 5/6post insemination). The transcript CGβ1 was identified in one only blastocyst. Four blastocystswere biopsied in order to investigate whether CGβ expression can be detected at the minimallevel of few trophectoderm cells. No transcript was found in trophectoderm cell samples orbiopsied blastocyst proper.DiscussionIn recent years, many new technologies have been introduced in clinical practice of ART.Blastocyst biopsy since its first announcement in 2005, until today, has been adopted andintegrated into the application of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (Kokkali et al., 2005). Asblastocyst biopsy has the advantage of providing adequate number of cells for multipleanalyses, it has been lately used for the PGD for monogenic diseases in combination withhistocompatibility screening (HLA matching) or PGD for monogenic diseases screening forstructural or numerical chromosomal abnormalities. Besides its clinical application, blastocystbiopsy offers great opportunities for research, such as the study for the expression ofpreimplantation genetic profiles for the identification of the single most viable blastocyst amongthe cohort developing in vitro that will enable single blastocyst transfers without a concomitantreduction in pregnancy rates.In this study, we investigated whether the β HCG may be used as a predictive marker ofdevelopmental competence for human embryos. This study showed that CGβ gene expressionwas diverse and heterogeneous between blastocysts. Further studies need to be accomplishedto investigate this further.ConclusionsBlastocyst biopsy was developed and optimized to serve as powerful tool for diagnostics ofhuman diseases or to identify diagnostic markers of competence to develop to term for humanembryos.


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Mauro ◽  
Kenneth Harkin

ABSTRACT In dogs with leptospirosis, doxycycline therapy is recommended as the preferred therapy for its ability to eliminate the organism from all tissues, including the renal tubules. Elimination of organisms from the renal tubules terminates leptospiruria and prevents transmission of the organism. This report describes the discovery of persistent leptospiruria in the face of therapy with doxycycline in four dogs and enrofloxacin in one dog. Leptospiruria was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction testing for pathogenic leptospires in all five dogs. In two dogs, leptospiruria resolved after a change in therapy to enrofloxacin. In three dogs, doxycycline and/or enrofloxacin were ineffective at eliminating leptospiruria, which then resolved after therapy with clarithromycin. Pet owners could be at risk as persistent leptospiruria poses a potential zoonotic risk. The potential reasons for persistent leptospiruria as demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction testing are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S503-S503
Author(s):  
Courtney C Sutton ◽  
Patti J Walton ◽  
Montgomery F Williams ◽  
Tracey L Bastian ◽  
Michael Wright ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S44-S44
Author(s):  
Sarwat Khalil ◽  
Madiha Fida ◽  
Douglas W Challener ◽  
Omar Abu Saleh ◽  
Muhammad R Sohail ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/sequencing targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene to detect bacteria in normally sterile tissues and fluids has become increasingly popular in clinical medicine. This culture-independent technique can detect bacteria that are nonviable or difficult to cultivate using conventional methods. The clinical value of this type of testing is not well defined. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of 16S rRNA PCR/Sanger sequencing as a clinical diagnostic assay at Mayo Clinic. Methods This is an interim analysis of the first 173 of 478 patients who had 16S rRNA PCR/Sanger sequencing done on sterile tissues or fluids at our institution from April, 2017 to November, 2018 as part of routine clinical practice. Medical records are being retrospectively reviewed, with results compared with those of culture. Results We reviewed 207 specimens from 173 patients (musculoskeletal 79%, cardiovascular 7%, central nervous system 4%, other 9%) that underwent 16S rRNA PCR/Sanger sequencing by clinical request (Table 1). In 90% of these specimens, the test was pre-planned rather than added-on. Nine specimens were excluded from analysis, as cultures were not performed. Overall concordance of culture with PCR/sequencing was 81% (160/197; P < 0.0001). Of 44 culture-positive specimens, PCR detected the same bacterium in 21 (48%) (Table 2). 45% (20/44) of those with positive cultures and 46% of those with positive PCR/sequencing results had received prior antimicrobial therapy (Table 3). PCR was negative in 139/144 specimens that were culture-negative (97%). PCR/sequencing was helpful in detecting a putative bacterial pathogen in 4 patients with negative cultures (Table 4). Conclusion Overall, 16S rRNA PCR/Sanger sequencing improved diagnostic yield compared with culture in a minority of cases. The described assay is limited by its inability to detect polymicrobial infections, a technical limitation that could possibly be addressed using massive parallel sequencing. Careful selection of cases and a save and add-on approach may be more cost-effective than upfront testing, although this was requested in a minority of cases. Disclosures Robin Patel, MD, ASM and IDSA: Other Financial or Material Support, Travel reimbursement, editor’s stipends; CD Diagnostics, Merck, Hutchison Biofilm Medical Solutions, Accelerate Diagnostics, ContraFect, TenNor Therapeutics Limited, Shionogi: Grant/Research Support; Curetis, Specific Technologies, NextGen Diagnostics, PathoQuest, Qvella: Consultant; NBME, Up-to-Date, the Infectious Diseases Board Review Course: Honorarium recipient, Other Financial or Material Support; Patent on Bordetella pertussis/parapertussis PCR issued, a patent on a device/method for sonication with royalties paid by Samsung to Mayo Clinic, and a patent on an anti-biofilm substance issued: Other Financial or Material Support, Patents.


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