Trends in Molecular Diagnostics          Vol. 4/2019
Hot Topic: Bone and Joint Infections - 16S/18S Broad-Range rDNA PCR Diagnosis of Pathogens
Join us at EBJIS Meeting in Antwerp The 38^th Annual Meeting of the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) will take place in Antwerp, Belgium on 12-14 September 2019. We cordially invite you to stop by our booth #20 and discover our innovative solutions for the culture-independent molecular diagnosis of pathogens. If you want to schedule your appointment in advance, please e-mail us at info@molzym.com. The Molzym experts are looking forward to welcome you in Antwerp!
New Publications: 1. Culture-independent broad-range 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing diagnosis of bone and joint infections (Lustig 2019) 2. The use of broad-range bacterial PCR in the diagnosis of infectious diseases: a prospective cohort study (Tkadlec et al. 2019) 3. Comparison of two commercial broad-range PCR and sequencing assays for identification of bacteria in culture-negative clinical samples (Stavnsbjerg et al. 2017) Product Highlights: · Micro-Dx™ CE IVD Fast and precise culture-independent diagnosis of body fluids, swabs and tissues by innovative automated pathogen DNA extraction and broad-range 16S/18S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing. · SepsiTest™-UMD CE IVD Culture-independent routine diagnosis of bacteria and fungi from clinical samples including manual pathogen enrichment and DNA extraction combined with broad-range 16S/18S rRNA PCR analysis.
New Publications
1. Culture-independent broad-range 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing diagnosis of bone and joint infections (Lustig 2019) In this application note, Lustig compiles the results of culture-independent molecular analysis of samples from patients under suspect of having bone or joint infections. Samples were processed by Molzym’s CE IVD diagnostic kits for the detection and identification of bacteria by 16S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing analysis. Among three studies, including 482 patients in total, the diagnostic sensitivity of the Molzym tests against culture was 89 to 100%. A high proportion (13 to 29%) of samples were PCR-positive, but culture-negative. One study judged the PCR-positive and sequencing results (26%) of added value in 20% of samples. Common pathogens of orthopedic infections, including staphylococci and streptococci, as well as rare pathogens were identified, including Granulicatella adiacens, Finegoldia magna, Tropheryma whipplei and Parvimonas micra.  >>Request more information >>Download application note
2. The use of broad-range bacterial PCR in the diagnosis of infectious diseases: a prospective cohort study (Tkadlec et al. 2019) Tkadlec and colleagues aimed to evaluate the usefulness of broad-range PCR and sequencing and its clinical relevance in the diagnosis of various clinical sample types from primary sterile body sites. In total, 1,370 samples were analysed by using Molzym’s commercial broad-range 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing test. The results were compared with culture and were considered to provide added diagnostic value in case the PCR approach revealed new pathogens that were missed by culture. The added value of PCR was evident in 173 of 555 PCR-positive samples, most frequently in examinations of heart valves and joint tissue samples. The authors concluded that especially for these sample types the broad-range PCR approach substantially increases the detection rate of pathogens. >>Request more information >>Reference
3. Comparison of two commercial broad-range PCR and sequencing assays for identification of bacteria in culture-negative clinical samples (Stavnsbjerg et al. 2017) Some infections cannot be detected by culture due to prior antibiotic treatment or in case of slow growing or fastidious microorganisms. Stavnsbjerg and her team analyzed 76 culture-negative samples by 2 commercial broad-range PCR systems and evaluated their potential to detect and identify pathogens that are noncultivable: MicroSeq® ID (Applied Biosystems, USA) and UMD-SelectNA™ (Molzym, Germany). The positivity was significantly higher with UMD-SelectNA™ (28.9%) compared to MicroSeq® ID (14.5%). The UMD–SelectNA™ assay was valuable for the identification of pathogens in culture-negative samples; however, due to the sensitive nature of the assay, extreme care is suggested in order to avoid false positives. >>Request more information >>Reference
Product Highlights
	Micro-Dx™ CE IVD Fast and precise culture-independent diagnosis of body fluids, swabs and tissues by innovative automated pathogen DNA extraction and broad-range 16S/18S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing analyses. Key features: · Robotic host DNA removal and isolation of bacterial and fungal DNA · Identification of pathogens based on 16S and 18S rRNA PCR assays and Sanger sequencing · Flexibility: processing of 1-12 samples per run · Controlled DNA-free reagents and consumables · Extraction and PCR run controls included >>Request more information >>Read more >>Product flyer
	SepsiTest™-UMD CE IVD Culture-independent routine diagnosis of bacteria and fungi from clinical samples including manual pathogen enrichment and DNA extraction combined with broad-range molecular analysis. Key features: · One protocol for a broad range of clinical specimens (fluids, tissues, swabs) · Extraction of enriched microbial DNA · PCR assays targeting 16S and 18S rRNA genes of bacteria and fungi · Identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens by Sanger sequencing · PCR and extraction controls included · All plastics and reagents guaranteed free of contaminating DNA >>Request more information >>Read more >>Product flyer
Follow Molzym’s Blog! Stay informed on topics covering pathogen enrichment and DNA isolation from clinical samples, automation, molecular diagnostics and next-generation sequencing. Get practical tips and insights into our solutions. Go to Blog!
Dear reader, Welcome to this edition of Trends in Molecular Diagnostics. 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)
This information is brought to you by Molzym GmbH & Co. KG, Mary-Astell-Str.10, D-28359 Bremen, Germany // If this information is not of interest to you, please disregard and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you want to unsubscribe from this newsletter please click unsubscribe.