Trends in Molecular Diagnostics                          Vol.3/2018

Hot Topic:

Diversity of Pathogens in Routine Diagnosis

New Publications:

1.   A spinal epidural abscess due to Streptobacillus moniliformis infection following a rat bite: case report (Hammer et al. 2017)

2.   Postoperative Tropheryma whipplei endophthalmitis – a case report highlighting the additive value of molecular testing (Dick et al. 2017)

3.   SepsiTest™-UMD application note for culture-independent 16S and 18S broad-range routine diagnosis

Product Highlights:

·       SepsiTest™-UMD       Culture-independent routine diagnosis of bacteria and fungi from clinical samples

·       Add-On 10                  Extraction of pathogen DNA from large volume samples (up to 10 ml)

New Publications

1. A spinal epidural abscess due to Streptobacillus moniliformis infection following a rat bite: case report (Hammer et al. 2017)

The authors describe the case of a 40-year-old man suffering from an epidural abscess in the thoracic spine due to a rarely isolated pathogen, Streptobacillus moniliformis and the causative agent of rat bite fever. The etiological agent S. moniliformis was identified by 16S rRNA-based polymerase chain reaction and sequencing as well as by culture and mass spectrometry. Treatment with penicillin G led to complete resolution of the abscess and clinical recovery of the patient. This case demonstrates that careful attention to the patient's history is essential in suspecting unusual bacterial pathogens as the cause of an epidural abscess and initiating the optimal diagnostic procedure and antimicrobial therapy.

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2. Postoperative Tropheryma whipplei endophthalmitis – a case report highlighting the additive value of molecular testing (Dick et al. 2017)

A 74-year-old Caucasian female presented with blurred vision in the right eye over a period of 1–2 months. Ophthalmological examination showed typical signs of intraocular inflammation. Diagnostic and therapeutic pars plana vitrectomy including vitreous biopsy and intravitreal instillation of vancomycin and amikacin was performed within hours of initial presentation. Both microscopic analysis and microbial cultures of the vitreous biopsy remained negative for bacteria and fungi. Due to the empirical therapy the inflammation ceased and the patient was discharged after 5 days with cefpodoxime orally and local antibiotic and steroidal therapy. Meanwhile, the vitreous body had undergone testing by PCR for the eubacterial 16S rRNA gene, which was found to be positive. Analysis of the PCR product revealed a specific sequence of T. whipplei. The author concluded that in their patient, endophthalmitis was the first and only symptom of Morbus Whipple, while most patients with Whipple’s disease suffer from severe gastrointestinal symptoms. 16S rDNA PCR should be considered for any intraocular infection when microscopy and standard culture methods remain negative.

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3. SepsiTest™-UMD application note for culture independent 16S and 18S broad-range routine diagnosis

Unlike culture which needs days to results, SepsiTest™-UMD can identify pathogens within hours, including those prevailing but not proliferating in the body due to antibiotic inhibition or not growing because of fastidious growth demands. SepsiTest™-UMD uses a single protocol for the DNA extraction and Real-Time PCR analysis of a variety of routine fluid and tissue non-cultured specimens. The tool is characterized by reported clinical evaluations. Like culture diagnosis, SepsiTest™-UMD follows an unbiased approach of analyzing microorganisms. As yet, >750 bacteria and fungi have been identified in clinical material.

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Product Highlights

SepsiTest™-UMD

Culture-independent routine diagnosis of bacteria and fungi from clinical samples

Key features:

·      Microbial DNA extraction and 16S/18S rRNA gene PCR assays

·      Analysis of various clinical specimens: body fluids, tissues, swabs

·      Identification of non-growing pathogens during antibiotic treatment

·      Precise identification of both typical and rare pathogens, including anaerobic and fastidious organisms

·      CE IVD marked

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Broad-Range Detection of Bacteria

Molzym’s engagement in the constant broad-range analysis of diverse specimens resulted up to now in the identification of 1,269 species from 302 prokaryotic genera.

Analyzing clinical material by SepsiTest™-UMD, 160 genera with representative pathogenic bacteria distributed among Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, Synergistetes, Tenericutes and Spirochaetes.

By uncovering a remarkable diversity of bacteria, SepsiTest™-UMD meets the need for the rapid, culture-independent diagnosis in daily routine.

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Add-On 10

Extraction of pathogen DNA from large volume samples

Key features:

·      Microbial DNA extraction from up to 10 ml samples

·      Various primary sterile body fluids, including whole blood, ascites fluid, joint aspirates, urine and others

·      To be combined with SepsiTest™-UMD

·      Enhancement of detection sensitivity of pathogens

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Dear reader,

Welcome to this edition of Molecular Microbiology. With this newsletter we want to keep you updated on the latest developments in molecular detection of microbial infections.

Best regards, Michael Lorenz, Ph. D. (Editor in Chief)

P.S.: Please forward this e-mail on to interested colleagues of yours.

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