Fatal Ophiostoma piceae infection in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

We report to our knowledge the first case of human infection with Ophiostoma piceae. This Sporothrix schenckii-related fungus caused disseminated infection involving the lung and the brain in a patient with lymphoblastic lymphoma. The case emphasizes the significance of molecular techniques for identification of rare fungi in the clinical microbiology laboratory.

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The clinical microbiology laboratory as an aid in infection control the application of molecular techniques in epidemiologic studies of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease ◽

10.1016/0732-8893(91)90034-d ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 209-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Michael A. Pfaller ◽

Douglas S. Wakefield ◽

Richard Hollis ◽

Mary Fredrickson ◽

E. Evans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Infection Control ◽

Clinical Microbiology ◽

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽

Microbiology Laboratory ◽

Methicillin Resistant

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Do Animals Play a Role in the Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)? A Commentary

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 16

Author(s):

Anna Costagliola ◽

Giovanna Liguori ◽

Danila d’Angelo ◽

Caterina Costa ◽

Francesca Ciani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Infectious Agent ◽

Human Infection ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Partial Protection ◽

Management Measures ◽

First Case ◽

And Behavior

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to the Beta-coronavirus genus. It is 96.2% homologous to bat CoV RaTG13 and 88% homologous to two bat SARS-like coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 is the infectious agent responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which was first reported in the Hubei province of Wuhan, China, at the beginning of December 2019. Human transmission from COVID-19 patients or incubation carriers occurs via coughing, sneezing, speaking, discharge from the nose, or fecal contamination. Various strains of the virus have been reported around the world, with different virulence and behavior. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 shares certain epitopes with some taxonomically related viruses, with tropism for the most common synanthropic animals. By elucidating the immunological properties of the circulating SARS-CoV-2, a partial protection due to human–animal interactions could be supposed in some situations. In addition, differential epitopes could be used for the differential diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. There have been cases of transmission from people with COVID-19 to pets such as cats and dogs. In addition, wild felines were infected. All These animals were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and recovered spontaneously. Experimental studies showed cats and ferrets to be more susceptible to COVID-19. COVID-19 positive dogs and felines do not transmit the infection to humans. In contrast, minks at farms were severely infected from people with COVID-19. A SARS-Cov-2 variant in the Danish farmed mink that had been previously infected by COVID-19 positive workers, spread to mink workers causing the first case of animal-to-human infection transmission that causes a moderate decreased sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. Thus, more investigations are necessary. It remains important to understand the risk that people with COVID-19 pose to their pets, as well as wild or farm animals so effective recommendations and risk management measures against COVID-19 can be made. A One Health unit that facilitates collaboration between public health and veterinary services is recommended.

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Decrease in Enteroviral Meningitis - An Unexpected Benefit of COVID-19 Mitigation?

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa1881 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kami D Kies ◽

Amber S Thomas ◽

Matthew J Binnicker ◽

Kelli L Bashynski ◽

Robin Patel

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Laboratory Testing ◽

Clinical Microbiology ◽

Late Summer ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽

Microbiology Laboratory ◽

Testing Data ◽

Early Fall ◽

Enteroviral Meningitis

Abstract Enteroviral meningitis is seasonal, typically exhibiting a rise in prevalence in late summer/early fall. Based on clinical microbiology laboratory testing data of cerebrospinal fluid, the expected August/September/October peak in enteroviral meningitis did not occur in 2020, possibly related to COVID-19 mitigation strategies.

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Implementation and evaluation of a novel real-time multiplex assay for SARS-CoV-2: in-field learnings from a clinical microbiology laboratory

Pathology ◽

10.1016/j.pathol.2020.08.004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 52 (7) ◽

pp. 754-759 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eloise Williams ◽

Katherine Bond ◽

Brian Chong ◽

Dawn Giltrap ◽

Malcolm Eaton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Clinical Microbiology ◽

Multiplex Assay ◽

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽

Microbiology Laboratory

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Scytalidium dimidiatum associated invasive fungal sinusitis in an immunocompetent patient

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s002221511400214x ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 128 (11) ◽

pp. 1018-1021 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A Hariri ◽

N Choudhury ◽

H A Saleh

Keyword(s):

Corticosteroid Treatment ◽

Fruit Trees ◽

Immunocompetent Patient ◽

Human Infection ◽

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery ◽

Sinus Surgery ◽

Fungal Sinusitis ◽

Endemic Region ◽

Invasive Fungal Sinusitis ◽

First Case

AbstractBackground:Scytalidium dimidiatum is a soil and plant pathogen that frequently affects fruit trees, but can also cause human infection. There are only two reported cases of invasive fungal sinusitis involving this rare micro-organism.Objective:This paper reports the first case of invasive fungal sinusitis caused by Scytalidium dimidiatum occurring in a young immunocompetent patient from a non-endemic region, and discusses potential sources of exposure and relevance of local factors.Method:Case report.Results:The patient was treated successfully with a combination of functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and antifungal and corticosteroid treatment.Conclusion:This paper describes the first reported case of invasive fungal sinusitis secondary to Scytalidium dimidiatum in a young immunocompetent patient from a non-endemic region. Importance is placed on following a systematic process of investigation and management, and adhering to well-defined basic surgical principles.

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Impact of Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory When Using Automated Blood Culture Systems for Bacterial Contamination Screening of Apheresis Platelet Products

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.42.12.5963-5964.2004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 42 (12) ◽

pp. 5963-5964

Author(s):

L. C. Stutzman ◽

N. Sullivan ◽

P. H. Gilligan

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Blood Culture ◽

Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽

Practice Guidelines ◽

Clinical Microbiology ◽

Bacterial Contamination ◽

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽

Microbiology Laboratory ◽

Culture Systems

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One Small Step for the Gram Stain, One Giant Leap for Clinical Microbiology

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.00303-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 54 (6) ◽

pp. 1416-1417 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Richard B. Thomson

Keyword(s):

Clinical Microbiology ◽

Rapid Test ◽

Error Rates ◽

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽

Microbiology Laboratory ◽

Gram Stain ◽

Small Step ◽

Link Type ◽

Giant Leap

The Gram stain is one of the most commonly performed tests in the clinical microbiology laboratory, yet it is poorly controlled and lacks standardization. It was once the best rapid test in microbiology, but it is no longer trusted by many clinicians. The publication by Samuel et al. (J. Clin. Microbiol. 54:1442–1447, 2016,http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JCM.03066-15) is a start for those who want to evaluate and improve Gram stain performance. In an age of emerging rapid molecular results, is the Gram stain still relevant? How should clinical microbiologists respond to the call to reduce Gram stain error rates?

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The rare hemoglobin variant Hb Mizuho: report of a Swiss family and literature review

Annals of Hematology ◽

10.1007/s00277-021-04458-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Linet Njue ◽

Cesare Medri ◽

Peter Keller ◽

Miriam Diepold ◽

Behrouz Mansouri Taleghani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Literature Review ◽

Hemolytic Anemia ◽

De Novo ◽

Clinical History ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

De Novo Mutation ◽

First Case ◽

History Of ◽

Transfusion Dependency ◽

Unstable Hemoglobin

AbstractHb Mizuho is a very rare unstable hemoglobin; here, we describe the clinical history of three Swiss family members with Hb Mizuho together with a systematic review of the previously six published cases. The clinical history of the adult woman we report here is unique since this is the first Hb Mizuho presenting with Moyamoya complications and the first case reported with long-term erythrocyte exchange. The literature review showed that Hb Mizuho was mainly reported as a de novo mutation, with the exception of children descended from known cases. All published patients with this unstable hemoglobin showed severe hemolytic anemia with the exception of one; all were regularly transfused. Patients with higher HbF levels might require fewer transfusions. All patients underwent splenectomy at a median age of 4 years and had variable clinical improvement; some achieved complete resolution of transfusion dependency after splenectomy. Iron overload in Hb Mizuho patients seems to be mainly attributed to transfusions and has less to do with ineffective erythropoiesis. Diagnosis might be challenging; a normal hemoglobin electrophoresis should not rule out the diagnosis of unstable hemoglobin in patients with otherwise unexplained hemolytic anemia. This series shows the enormous utility of using molecular techniques for diagnosis.

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The Role of Molecular Biology and Nucleic Acid Technology in the Study of Human Infection and Epidemiology

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.5858/2003-127-1098-tromba ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 127 (9) ◽

pp. 1098-1105

Author(s):

Najam Zaidi ◽

Konstantinos Konstantinou ◽

Marcus Zervos

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Nucleic Acid ◽

Human Infection ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Disease Epidemiology ◽

Infectious Disease Epidemiology ◽

Health Care Practices ◽

Typing Methods ◽

Conventional Methods ◽

Complex Variation

Abstract Objective.—In this review, we will focus on recent molecular typing methods that can be applied to different pathogens and assess their values and limitations. Background.—Resistant subgroups within a species of pathogenic organisms often emerge as dominant strains under the selective pressures of antibiotics, vaccinations, and new health care practices. The emergence of resistant organisms has added to the burden and cost of health care–related infections. Pathogens derived from a common ancestry are often difficult to distinguish by conventional methods, and the practice of clinical microbiology and infectious disease epidemiology must adapt to this problem. Discussion.—Conventional strain typing methods provide a limited means of distinguishing epidemic from endemic or sporadic isolates of pathogens. Nucleic acid–based methods complement conventional and serologic methods of organism isolation and typing. Often, these genomic methods offer more discrimination and details than the phenotype-based conventional methods. Results and Conclusion.—Highly sensitive molecular techniques are capable of detecting single base pair substitutions and resolving the mechanism of underlying complex variation.

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