Diagnostic Microbiology

Magnetic separation techniques in diagnostic microbiology.

The principles of magnetic separation aided by antibodies or other specific binding molecules have been used for isolation of specific viable whole organisms, antigens, or nucleic acids. Whereas growth on selective media may be helpful in isolation of a certain bacterial species, immunomagnetic separation (IMS) technology can isolate strains possessing specific and characteristic surface antige...

Diagnostic virology laboratory within a microbiology setting.

The virology section at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Connecticut, is not a separate laboratory division but is a part of the microbiology division and is supervised by the same personnel who supervise bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, and serology. Current volume is over 1,000 cultures yearly with 12 to 24 percent positive. Isolates are confirmed and typed by the Connecticut...

DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY UPDATES General Principles of Specimen Collection and Transport

In this issue ofClinical Infectious Diseases, we present the first article in a series entitled .'Diagnostic Microbiology Updates. " Although clinical microbiology is included in the curricula ofvirtually all infectious diseasefellowships, the degree ofemphasis on this subject varies considerably. Infectious disease physicianseven those who have direct responsibities or consulting responsibilit...

Evidence based diagnostic microbiology: has its time come?

Use of Litchi chinensis lectins (agglutinins) in diagnostic microbiology.

One hundred and thirteen clinical isolates of organisms were tested for agglutination by Litchi chinensis seed extract. The extract selectively agglutinated gram positive organisms and most of the Bhaemolytic Esch. coli and Proteus isolates. Further studies with a purified extract made it possible to develop an identification procedure for certain important antigenic groups of organisms. (JPMA ...