scholarly journals Diagnostic Identification and Differentiation of Microfilariae

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blaine A. Mathison ◽  
Marc Roger Couturier ◽  
Bobbi S. Pritt
Keyword(s):  
Human Infection ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Clinical Specimens ◽  
Clinical Laboratories ◽  
Filarial Nematodes ◽  
Medical Technologists ◽  
Diagnostic Capabilities

ABSTRACT The morphologic similarities of the microfilariae and their infrequency in clinical specimens in settings of endemicity present challenges to clinical laboratories in maintaining competence for accurate identification and differentiation. We present here a review of the primary filarial nematodes causing human infection, including an illustrated key, which we hope will improve the diagnostic capabilities of hematologists, microbiologists, medical technologists, and similarly qualified laboratorians.

scholarly journals Performance of Five Commercial Identification Platforms for Identification of Staphylococcus delphini

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Canver ◽  
Tsigereda Tekle ◽  
Samantha T. Compton ◽  
Katrina Callan ◽  
Eileen M. Burd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Distinct Species ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maldi Tof Ms ◽  
Maldi Tof ◽  
Staphylococcus Intermedius ◽  
Animal Pathogens ◽  
Tof Ms

ABSTRACT The Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) is a collection of coagulase-positive staphylococci consisting of four distinct species, namely, Staphylococcus cornubiensis, Staphylococcus delphini, Staphylococcus intermedius, and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. SIG members are animal pathogens and rare causes of human infection. Accurate identification of S. pseudintermedius has important implications for interpretation of antimicrobial susceptibility testing data and may be important for other members of the group. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the performance of five commercially available identification platforms with 21 S. delphini isolates obtained from a variety of animal and geographic sources. Here, we show that automated biochemical platforms were unable to identify S. delphini to the species level, a function of its omission from their databases, but could identify isolates to the SIG level with various degrees of success. However, all automated systems misidentified at least one isolate as Staphylococcus aureus. One matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system was able to identify S. delphini to the species level, suggesting that MALDI-TOF MS is the best option for distinguishing members of the SIG. With the exception of S. pseudintermedius, it is unclear if other SIG members should be routinely identified to the species level; however, as our understanding of their role in animal and human diseases increases, it may be necessary and important to do so.

scholarly journals Subcutaneous dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens in Sri Lanka: A potential risk of transmitting human dirofilariasis

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 2050313X1770137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayana Gunathilaka ◽  
Shirom Siriwardana ◽  
Lakmini Wijesooriya ◽  
Gayana Gunaratne ◽  
Nilanga Perera
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Abdominal Wall ◽  
Anterior Abdominal Wall ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Filarial Nematodes ◽  
Human Dirofilariasis ◽  
Proper Diagnosis ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Controlling Measures

Objective: Dirofilariasis is a parasitic infection caused by filarial nematodes belonging to the genus Dirofilaria. Human dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens has been widely reported from European countries. Sri Lanka is the most affected country in Asia with an infection rate of almost 60% in dog population. However, human infection of D. repens remains undiagnosed and many of the cases are not scientifically documented. Therefore, the objective of the present investigation is to document the presence of dirofilariasis infections in humans. Method: A 1 year and 10 months old boy from Ragama, Gampaha District, Western Province of Sri Lanka, was presented to a private hospital with a painless, non-pruritic and ill-defined subcutaneous nodule on his right hypochondrial region of the anterior abdominal wall for 1 week. On examination, there was a non-tender swelling measuring 2 cm × 2 cm in the anterior abdominal wall, with surrounding mild redness. The patient was referred for ultrasound confirmation. Results: The ultrasound scan revealed a hypoechoic nodular lesion measuring 11 mm × 6 mm in the anterior abdominal wall. Parasitological examination on the excised nodule confirmed the presence of D. repens measuring 10.5 cm in length having characteristic cuticle with longitudinal ridges. Conclusion: It is essential to record the human infections and increase the awareness about this infection, diagnostic tests and vector controlling measures, in order to reduce the disease prevalence through suppressing vector densities, proper diagnosis and patient care.

scholarly journals Recovery of pathogenic fungi from clinical specimens submitted for mycobacteriological culture

1976 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-48
Author(s):  
G D Roberts ◽  
A G Karlson ◽  
D R DeYoung
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Hydroxide ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Clinical Specimens ◽  
Clinical Laboratories ◽  
Sodium Hydroxide Treatment

A total of 332 major pathogenic fungi were isolated from specimens cultured onto both fungal culture media and media used for culturing mycobacteria from January 1968 to June 1975. Only 72 (21.7%) fungi were recovered on media used for culturing mycobacteria. The effect of sodium hydroxide treatment was evaluated and shown to be detrimental to the recovery of fungi. It is recommended that clinical laboratories not rely on mycobacteriological cultures to recover fungal pathogens.

Zoonotic infections with filarial nematodes

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harman S. Paintal ◽  
Rajinder K. Chitkara
Keyword(s):  
Human Mobility ◽  
Scientific Work ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Primary Host ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
Filarial Nematodes ◽  
Worldwide Web ◽  
Dna Primers

Filarial nematodes have been known to cause human disease for many centuries. Lymphatic filariasis is a common disease in the developing part of the world and much has been written about diagnosis and treatment of this scourge. Wuchereria , Brugia and Onchocerca (especially O. volvulus) have a wide pattern of distribution with severe morbidity. Given the years of scientific work in this field, many drugs that work against these parasites are available today and are attempting to control these infections. In this chapter, the focus is on those filarial nematodes that do not have humans as their primary host. Instead, the filarial organisms that usually parasitize other animals and cause human infection due to a variety of factors are discussed. These factors include: 1. Proximity of humans to the primary host, 2. Proximity of humans to the vector, 3. Changing ecology with introduction of different animals (both host and vector) into new environments, 4. Increasing human mobility, 5. Special scenarios concerning humans, including altered immune function (immunosuppressed due to drugs, auto-immune illness, immunosuppressive diseases), There has been a recent interest in this field because newer diagnostic techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, DNA primers and electron microscopy have become widespread in use. This will eventually enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of infections with these seemingly rare filarial organisms.Much of the early work in this field was done in a few specialized centers. As information about these parasites (through the worldwide web) and diagnostic techniques are now widely available, it is our hope that more work regarding these nematodes will be carried out in the developing countries where these infections are common. In this chapter, we focus on Dirofi laria, Meningonema, Loaina, Dipetalonema and certain species of Onchocerca and Brugia.

scholarly journals Streamlined inactivation, amplification, and Cas13-based detection of SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Arizti-Sanz ◽  
Catherine A. Freije ◽  
Alexandra C. Stanton ◽  
Brittany A. Petros ◽  
Chloe K. Boehm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tool ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Single Step ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Contamination Risk ◽  
Clinical Laboratories ◽  
Diagnostic Capabilities ◽  
Diagnostic Technologies ◽  
Amplification Reaction

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that new diagnostic technologies are essential for controlling disease transmission. Here, we develop SHINE (Streamlined Highlighting of Infections to Navigate Epidemics), a sensitive and specific diagnostic tool that can detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA from unextracted samples. We identify the optimal conditions to allow RPA-based amplification and Cas13-based detection to occur in a single step, simplifying assay preparation and reducing run-time. We improve HUDSON to rapidly inactivate viruses in nasopharyngeal swabs and saliva in 10 min. SHINE’s results can be visualized with an in-tube fluorescent readout — reducing contamination risk as amplification reaction tubes remain sealed — and interpreted by a companion smartphone application. We validate SHINE on 50 nasopharyngeal patient samples, demonstrating 90% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared to RT-qPCR with a sample-to-answer time of 50 min. SHINE has the potential to be used outside of hospitals and clinical laboratories, greatly enhancing diagnostic capabilities.

scholarly journals First Case of Pleural Empyema Caused byStaphylococcus simulans: Review of the Literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Amos Lal ◽  
Jamal Akhtar ◽  
Ashfaq Ullah ◽  
George M. Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Severe Infection ◽  
Pleural Empyema ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Source Control ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus ◽  
Isolation And Identification ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Prosthetic Devices ◽  
First Case ◽  
Staphylococcus Simulans

Staphylococcus simulansis a coagulase-negative organism, mainly an animal pathogen. Reports of human infection have been infrequent, mainly in patients with repeated animal contact. We report the first case of pleural empyema in an elderly woman.S. simulanstends to cause more severe infection because of a biofilm layer which helps in adherence and colonization of smooth surfaces, especially prosthetic devices, shunts, and catheters. The challenging problem even after CoNS isolation and identification is the assessment of their clinical relevance. Major factors that inhibit the penetration of antibiotics is the large-sized effusions/empyema, thickness of pleura, and the nature of antibiotic itself. Source control for septic patients remains the cornerstone of treatment along with optimal antimicrobial coverage.Staphylococcus simulans, a coagulase-negative staphylococcus, is emerging as an important cause of virulent infections with high mortality in humans. Given its propensity for multidrug resistance, including vancomycin, there is an imperative for early and accurate identification of the isolate. Despite aggressive treatment, the patient succumbed to her illness.

scholarly journals Virulence Factors and Antifungal Susceptibility Profile of C. tropicalis Isolated from Various Clinical Specimens in Alexandria, Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Mohammed A. El-Kholy ◽  
Ghada F. Helaly ◽  
Ebtisam F. El Ghazzawi ◽  
Gamal El-Sawaf ◽  
Sherine M. Shawky
Keyword(s):  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Clinical Specimens ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Invasive Infections ◽  
Vitek 2 ◽  
Urinary Isolates

Background: The incidence of candidiasis caused by non-albicans Candida (NAC) species is increasing. Candida tropicalis has emerged as one of the most important NAC species. This study aims to examine the antifungal susceptibility profile and some virulence factors of C. tropicalis isolated from various clinical specimens. Methods: A total of 71 C. tropicalis isolates from various clinical specimens (69.01%, 18.31%, 9.86%, and 2.82% of isolates were collected from urine, respiratory samples, blood, and skin and soft tissue infections, respectively) from ICU patients in Alexandria, Egypt. The isolates were identified at species level by CHROMagar Candida and VITEK 2 compact system. Furthermore, the antifungal susceptibility was determined using the VITEK 2 system AST-YS07 card containing different antifungals. Hemolysin, phospholipase, and proteinase activity and biofilm formation were also tested as virulence factors. Results: Only 30 isolates (42.25%) were non-susceptible (MIC ≥ 4 µg/mL) to fluconazole, of which 28 isolates showed non-susceptibility (MIC ≥ 0.25 µg/mL) to voriconazole. All isolates showed both hemolysin and proteinase activities, while only 9 isolates (12.68%) showed phospholipase production and 70 isolates (98.59%) demonstrated biofilm formation. Strong biofilm production was observed among the blood culture isolates (85.71%), followed by the respiratory and urinary isolates (61.54% and 46.94%, respectively). Conclusions: This study sought to provide useful data on the antifungal susceptibility of C. tropicalis isolates from ICU patients suffering from invasive infections with an increased trend towards elevated MICs levels of both fluconazole and voriconazole. Due to the high incidence of systemic candidiasis and antifungal resistance, C. tropicalis is emerging as a serious root of infections. Therefore, early and accurate identification of Candida species along with susceptibility testing is of utmost importance.

scholarly journals HUMAN DIROFILARIASIS: AN UNCOMMON CASE OF SUB CUTANEOUS INFECTION WITH DIROFILARIA REPENS WITH A BRIEF REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2011 ◽  
Vol 01 (01/03) ◽  
pp. 60-62
Author(s):  
Sanjeev H. ◽  
Rajini M. ◽  
Prasad S. R.
Keyword(s):  
Human Infection ◽  
Dirofilaria Repens ◽  
Cutaneous Infection ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Zoonotic Infection ◽  
Ocular Infections ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Filarial Nematodes ◽  
Human Dirofilariasis ◽  
Uncommon Case

AbstractDirofilaria are a group of arthropod borne filarial nematodes that cause infection in wide range of domestic and wild animals. Dirofilaria repens is a common zoonotic infection in countries like Sri Lanka. Human infection with Dirofilaria repens is not widely recognized in India. Most of the documented cases of human dirofilariasis recorded in India presented with ocular infections, affecting the eyelid, periorbital region and occasionally the sub conjunctivae. Here we report a rare case of sub cutaneous dirofilariasis, which presented as a swelling at an uncommon site.

Detection of NDM-1 and VIM Genes in Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from a Tertiary Health-Care Center in Kathmandu, Nepal

Chemotherapy ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Sabita Thapa ◽  
Nabaraj Adhikari ◽  
Anil Kumar Shah ◽  
Ishworiya Lamichhane ◽  
Binod Dhungel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Clinical Specimens ◽  
Health Care Center ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Resistant Genes ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity

<b><i>Background:</i></b> <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. Carbapenems are used as the last resort for the treatment of multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. In recent years, resistance to these lifesaving drugs has been increasingly reported due to the production of carbapenemase. The main objective of this study was to detect the carbapenem-resistant genes <i>bla</i><sub>NDM-1</sub> and <i>bla</i><sub>VIM</sub> in <i>K. pneumoniae</i> isolated from different clinical specimens. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 585 clinical specimens (urine, pus, sputum, blood, catheter tips, and others) from human subjects attended at Annapurna Neurological Institute and Allied Sciences, Kathmandu were obtained in the period between July 2018 and January 2019. The specimens were isolated and identified for <i>K. pneumoniae</i>. All <i>K</i>. <i>pneumoniae</i> isolates were processed for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) using the disk diffusion method. The isolates were further phenotypically confirmed for carbapenemase production by the modified Hodge test (MHT) using imipenem (10 μg) and meropenem (10 μg) discs. Thus, confirmed carbapenemase-producing isolates were further screened for the production of <i>bla</i><sub>NDM-1</sub> and <i>bla</i><sub>VIM</sub> using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Among the clinical isolates tested, culture positivity was 38.29% (224/585), and the prevalence of <i>K. pneumoniae</i> was 25.89% (58/224). On AST, <i>K. pneumoniae</i> exhibited resistance toward carbapenems including ertapenem, meropenem, and imipenem, while it showed the highest susceptibility rate against to tigecycline (93.1%; 54/58). Overall, AST detected 60.34% (35/58) carbapenem-resistant isolates, while the MHT phenotypically confirmed 51.72% (30/58) isolates as carbapenemase-producers and 48.28% (28/58) as carbapenemase nonproducers. On subsequent screening for resistant genes among carbapenemase-producers by PCR assay, 80% (24/30) and 3.33% (1/30) isolates were found to be positive for <i>bla</i><sub>NDM-1</sub> and <i>bla</i><sub>VIM</sub>, respectively. In the same assay among 28 carbapenem nonproducing isolates, 9 (32.14%) isolates were positive for <i>bla</i><sub>NDM-1</sub> gene while none of them were tested positive for <i>bla</i><sub>VIM</sub> gene. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Molecular detection of resistant genes provides greater specificity and sensitivity than those with conventional techniques, thus aiding in accurate identification of antimicrobial resistance and clinical management of the disease.

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