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Host DNA Depletion in Metagenomic Sequencing
Welcome to the newest edition of our "Science Spotlight" newsletter!
In this release, we dive into the exciting topic of Next Generation Sequencing and explore strategies to unleash its power for the sensitive detection of microorganisms in complex clinical samples.
New Visual Identity for Molzym!
Did you know that Molzym turns 20 this year? So it's the perfect time for us to unveil a new little something... Our beloved logo has been given a makeover for this occasion! Same name (of course), same colors (yes), but definitely something more modern, innovative and forward-looking that embodies our vision.
Merry Christmas & Best Wishes for 2023 from the Molzym Team!
2022 is coming to a close and we look back to another challenging but also very exciting year! The entire Molzym team wants to thank you for your amazing trust and wishes you restful holidays. For the third time, we are supporting the great charity work of Doctors Without Borders!
Diagnostic Value of 16S/18S Analysis for Culture-Negative Samples
Antibiotic administration or demanding growth requirements can lead to culture-negative results, although the patient clearly has an infection. For the best therapy, the identification of the pathogen is important and the molecular approach of Micro-Dx™ CE IVD has proven to be highly clinically relevant in a recent study.
Molzym Wishes You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2022!
2021 is coming to a close and we look back to another challenging year! The entire Molzym team wants to thank you for your trust and the good cooperation and wishes you a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and a healthy and successful New Year. This year we are again supporting the important charity work of WWF and Doctors Without Borders!
How-To Identify Rare and Fastidious Pathogens?
Welcome to Volume 6 of our “How-To Mini Series".
In this edition, the spotlight is on the identification of rare and fastidious pathogens with molecular diagnostic tests and the improvement of patients' management. Watch the video for a brief overview and download the application note for more details!
How-To Improve Patient Management with Molecular Diagnostics?
Welcome to Volume 5 of our “How-To Mini Series".
This edition's focus is on the clinical added-value of molecular diagnostics for diverse clinical applications including bone and joint infections, infective endocarditis, and meningitis. Learn more about the clinical performance of Micro-Dx™ by watching the video and downloading the white paper!
How-To Save Time During Microbial DNA Isolation?
Welcome to Volume 4 of our “How-To Mini Series".
This edition will highlight how your labs efficiency can be optimized by reducing the workload for microbial DNA isolation with an automated workflow. Learn how the MolYsis™ technology is available fully automated on the SelectNA™plus robot and get an insight by watching a short video.
How-To Avoid Reagent-Borne Contaminations?
Welcome to Volume 3 of our “How-To Mini Series". In this edition, we illustrate the diverse sources of contaminations and how reagent-borne contaminations can negatively impact results’ accuracy. Watch our 1’30 minute video & learn about the benefit of DNA-free reagents and how they help to optimize contamination management.
How-To Increase Sensitivity of Molecular Analysis?
Welcome to Volume 2 of our brand new “How-To Mini Series". In this edition, we provide an insight on the adverse effects of host DNA on molecular analysis and how Molzym can help you address this challenging yet frequent issue. Discover MolYsis™ step-by-step & learn how it helps to enhance molecular analysis sensitivity in just 80 seconds!
Impact of Host DNA in Detection of AMR Genes in Milk Production
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most seriuos threats to public health, especially in human, animal and environmental reservoirs. In this study, microbial communities and the presence of AMR genes in the milk production environment were examined by metagenome analysis.Two host DNA depletion methods and different sequencing depths were evaluated.
How-To Identify Bacteria and Fungi Without Culture?
Welcome to Volume 1 of our brand new “How-To Mini Series”. In these monthly short tutorial editions, we will guide you through various aspects of Molzym’s molecular analysis technology, best practices, and tips and tricks in a few minutes of molecular digital break. Enjoy the content and discover Molzym’s diagnostic workflow in just 60 seconds!
Molzym Wishes You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2021!
2020 is coming to an end and it has been a very challenging year for all of us! The entire Molzym team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a joyful and relaxing holiday season. May the new year be filled with heath, peace, and prosperity. This year we are again supporting the important charity work of WWF and Doctors Without Borders!
Webinar Invitation: Management of Bacterial and Fungal Infections
We are very happy to invite you to our new webinar! Dr. Michael Lustig, COO at Molzym, will share his vast experience in direct molecular testing and give a comprehensive overview of available solutions and their applications. Register now and join in on Monday, 16th of November beginning at 4pm (CET).
Improved Detection of Microbial Diversity of Sinus Infections
Tissue and secretions from sinus infections from 19 cystic fibrosis patients were investigated by (i) 16S rRNA analysis and quantitative PCR and (ii) culture. The results showed a broad diversity of pathogens detected using molecular methods, compared to culture where some species went undetected and diversity was underestimated.
Webinar Invitation: Direct Molecular Testing of Infectious Pathogens
In a live webinar, Prof. Dr. med. Sören Schubert from the Ludwig-Maximillian-University Munich shares his experiences with direct molecular testing and it’s added clinical value for the identification of bacteria and fungi. Join in on Monday, 31st of August beginning at 4.30 pm (CET) or request the recording.
Detection of Vector-Borne Pathogens by Metagenomic Sequencing
Laboratory tests to diagnose vector-borne pathogens are not widely available, which leads to the under-recognition of these infections. In a recent publication, metagenomic shotgun sequencing was evaluated and proved to be a promising tool to detect new and known vector-borne pathogens including helminths and protozoa.
Reagent-Borne Contamination Affects the Identification of Bacteria
To identify bacteria and determine their distribution in a sample can be very challenging for low load bacterial samples. If reagents and plastics are microbial contaminated, the differentiation between genuine bacteria in the sample and contamination can be beyond remedy. Learn more about the influence of reagent-borne contaminations in this post.
Molecular Quantification and Differentiation of Candida Species
Fungal infections in patients with liver cirrhosis require a rapid identification of the pathogens for adequate antifungal treatment. An alternative to the low-sensitive and time-consuming culture-based methods was developed, based on a culture-independent approach, offering a quick way to identify Candida species.
Molecular Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis in Turkey
A consensus report on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infective endocarditis was published by the relevant specialist organizations connected to infective endocarditis in Turkey in January 2020. Performing multiplex or broad-range PCR is recommended for samples with negative cultures or from patients with previous antibiotic therapy.
MolYsis™ Host DNA Depletion for Deeper Microbiome Analysis
Microbiome and metagenome analyses are nowadays commonly used for various studies with diverse goals. Learn more about the benefits of host DNA depletion and contamination-free reagents prior to microbiome or metagenome sequencing for difficult-co-culture or vector-borne pathogens in clinical samples.
Molecular Analysis of Urinary Tract Infection Outperforms Culture
In the UK, midstream urine culture is the gold standard for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections. This method was compared to 16S rRNA gene sequencing with a focus on the recommended threshold and dismissal of mixed-growth cultures by default leading to a critical view on the diagnostic value regarding positivity and microbial diversity.
Difficult to Culture Bacterial Pathogens Rapidly Detected by NGS
Timely diagnosis and treatment are important for successful patient recovery from infections. But in routine microbiology, some results are available with a significant time delay only. Real-time nanopore sequencing was used for rapid pathogen detection in two cases, one of tuberculosis and the other of brucellosis.
Detection of Microbial Colonization of the Urinary Tract
Guidelines recommend preoperative urine cultivation and antibiotic treatment. In their study including 94 patients, Zumstein et al. showed that preoperative urine cultures are not predictive for intraoperative urine- and stent culture and qPCR. The authors doubt the role of enterococci, streptococci and staphylococci found in preoperative cultures.
Metagenomic Shotgun Sequencing of Respiratory Pathogens
Diagnosis of etiologies of ventilator-associated pneumonia is based on culturing which can result in false negative findings. In a recent evaluation of 67 bronchoalveolar lavage samples, metagenomic shotgun sequencing confirmed culture-proven pathogens, revealed additional species and identified pathogens in most culture-negative samples.
Oral Bacteria in Heart Valves and Dentine Samples
Oral bacteria cannot only be found in dentine samples, where we would expect them, but also on pathologically changed heart valves. Microbial DNA enrichment based on the MolYsis™ technology and ultra-sensitive 16S rRNA gene amplification with reagents free of contaminating microbial DNA have been used for two recent publications.
Impact of Antimicrobial Treatment on Microbiological Findings
Patients with infective endocarditis should immediately receive antibiotic treatment. However, the treatment can hamper the identification of the etiological agents by valve culture. The impact of pre-operatively administered antibiotics was evaluated in a study over six years comparing results of valve culture and direct 16S rRNA gene PCR analysis.
Ultra-Deep Microbiome Prep: Host DNA Depletion for Accurate Analysis
Depletion of host DNA from low microbial load samples is recognized as an effective means for increased target reads and thus deeper analysis of microbiomes. Only a single protocol for diverse liquid and tissue specimens provides standardization and reduction of workload. Get a closer look onto the Ultra-Deep Microbiome Prep kit and its diverse applications.
Urinary Tract Microbiome Analysed Despite Low Bacterial Load
Urinary tract infections and bacterial biofilms on urinary stents are typically diagnosed by culture. Buhmann et al. [1] analysed the bacterial communities of encrustations on urinary stents after indwelling of 3-6 weeks by molecular methods and could reveal different urotypes at, in general, low bacterial loads.
Automated Host DNA Depletion and Microbial DNA Isolation
This newsletter focuses on the automation of the MolYsis™ technology on the SelectNA™plus instrument, gives insights in the process and highlights the variety of clinical applications. If you are interested in getting answers first hand, come and join us at the European Meeting on Molecular Diagnostics (EMMD) in Noordwijk, booth #20!
Bone and Joint Infections - 16S/18S Diagnosis of Pathogens
The increasing topic of bone and joint infections and reliable methods of identifying their etiological pathogens is in the focus of this newsletter. We are delighted to attend this year’s meeting of the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) in Antwerp to present our broad-range solutions at booth #20!
16S rDNA PCR and Sequencing Diagnosis of Bone and Joint Infections
PCR and sequencing analysis of pathogens without cultivation is an integral part of routine diagnosis. It rapidly uncovers microorganisms that do not grow in culture because of inhibition by antibiotics or fastidious growth requirements. Thereby, PCR/sequencing significantly contributes to the management of patients with bone and joint infections.
Oral Microbiome Changes from Healthy to Carious Teeth
Abood [1] used whole genome metagenomic sequencing to precisely characterize microbial populations and their metabolic functions involved in the transition to caries. By reduction of up to 99 % human DNA background bioinformatic characterization of a complex bacterial and fungal microbiome and its change was possible.
Highlights from ASM Microbe 2019 in San Francisco, CA
We had a great time exhibiting at this year’s ASM Microbe Meeting held from 20th to 24th of June 2019 in San Francisco, CA. Here we want to share two of our highlights from the poster sessions demonstrating the outstanding performance of Molzym’s solutions for deep microbiome/metagenomics analysis.
Special Edition on the Occasion of ASM Microbe 2019
This newsletter is a special edition to spread the word that we are exhibiting at the ASM Microbe in San Francisco this year! Our application specialists are looking forward to welcome you at booth #5234, are happy to answer all questions and inform you about our solutions for highly sensitive molecular microbiology.
Molecular Characterisation of Low Load Bacterial Samples
Molecular analysis of low microbial load samples is challenging because of the risk of contamination from ubiquitous bacterial DNA. In a recent publication, a workflow for molecular analysis was applied to fingerprint community changes in carious dentine samples before and after dental therapy.
Diagnosis of Rare Pathogens by Direct 16S Sequencing
Infections of sterile body sites are caused by a great variety of microorganisms, including common as well as rare and unusual bacteria. This whitepaper discusses advantages of rRNA gene sequencing diagnosis performed directly on clinical materials in view of obstacles connected with the identification of infrequent pathogens by phenotypic markers.
Critical Impact of DNA Contamination on Molecular Microbe Analysis
Contaminations by bacterial DNA in DNA extraction kits and amplification reagents can disturb 16S rRNA PCR and shotgun metagenomics analysis of samples with low loads of bacteria. Read about how to reduce contaminations, why negative controls are important and when ultra-clean reagents are indispensible for proper analysis.
Meet Molzym at ECCMID 2019 in Amsterdam
The 29th European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases attracts specialists from all over the world to discuss the latest results in clinical diagnostics. Our Molzym experts will present solutions for the culture-independent molecular diagnosis of pathogens and the unique automated pathogen enrichment and DNA extraction robot SelectNA™plus.
Special Edition on the Occasion of ECCMID 2019
ECCMID 2019 in Amsterdam is around the corner and we want to highlight a very interesting poster presentation about Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis. Discover newest solutions and stop by our booth #1.17B to explore our products for culture-independent molecular diagnostics and the available automation.
Join the Molzym Workshop at REMMDI on 11th of April
At the approaching REMMDI Meeting in Regensburg from 11th to 13th of April 2019, the Molzym experts invite you to our workshop covering in-depth insights of implementation of culture-independent analysis of pathogens by broad-range PCR in clinical routine. Learn about the benefit of Micro-Dx™ and SepsiTest™-UMD in exciting case studies. Safe your seat!
Metagenomics for Infectious Disease Diagnostics
Next Generation Sequencing approaches for pathogen identification in clinical diagnostic routine lack FDA-cleared test systems so far. But technological improvements made in the last years are promising. One hurdle is the vast excess of human DNA compared to microbial DNA. Learn more about the problem and possible solutions.
16S Pathogen Diagnosis of Culture-Negative Infections
Cultures of clinical specimens often are negative due to prior antibiotic treatment, fastidious growth requirements or viable but non-culturable pathogens. Stavnsbjerg et al. compared two commercial broad-range 16S rDNA PCR assays, MicroSeq® ID and UMD-SelectNA™, regarding their capacity of identifying bacteria in culture-negative samples.
16S rDNA PCR Detection of Salmonella enterica in Blood
Salmonella enterica causes high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Culture detection is limited and affects timely antibiotic treatment. Masek et al. differentiated 9 serovars by 16S rDNA PCR and melt analysis. This and the high analytic sensitivity of the method (<10 cfu/ml) directly in blood promise to enhance current diagnosis of S. enterica.
PCR and Sequencing Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis
The diagnostic value of rDNA PCR and sequencing is discussed referring to clinical evaluations of infective endocarditis. The overall positivity of PCR/sequencing was notably higher than culture, in particular of heart valves. Common and rare aetiologies were similar with both systems, whereas mixed infections were more diverse by PCR/sequencing.
SepsiTest™-UMD: Unbiased rDNA PCR Pathogen Diagnosis
Rapid pathogen detection is essential for timely patient treatment. In contrast to culture, molecular methods provide results within hours. Molzym’s highly sensitive approach combines a unique DNA extraction technique with 16S and 18S rRNA gene PCR and amplicon sequencing for the identification of bacterial and fungal infections. See how it works.
Optimal DNA Extraction for Molecular Pathogen Analysis
Direct molecular diagnosis of pathogens is a helpful adjunct to culturing. An important factor influencing assay performance is the isolation of microbial DNA. Notable differences in Real-Time PCR assay sensitivity were observed with DNAs extracted from mock blood samples of bacteria and yeast using 7 manual and 3 automated DNA isolation kits.
Reagent Contaminations in Microbiome Analysis
Structures of microbial communities can be distorted by reagent contaminations, especially in samples with low microbial loads as the placenta. Leon et al. used 16S targeted amplicon sequencing to examine the impact of potential contaminations on the microbiome analysis of spontaneous preterm, non-spontaneous preterm and term delivered placenta.
16S rDNA PCR Diagnosis of Bacterial Pyomyositis
Pyomyositis is a bacterial infection of skeletal muscles, and antibiotic treatment leads to delayed or negative culture results. Gabas et al. [3] identified bacteria in all 10 patients by 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing, while culture was positive with 4 patients only. Antibiotic treatment was changed in all cases resulting in 90% recovery of patients.
Vol 5/2018 - Infective Endocarditis - 16S/18S rDNA Diagnosis
Standard diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) is based on blood culturing which is limited by its high false negative rate. 16S/18S broad-range rDNA PCR analysis has a higher positivity due to, among others, the detection of mixed infections and fastidious organisms. The recent newsletter focusses on new results from IE comparative studies.
Remove Host DNA and Use Your Validated Extraction System!
In pathogen diagnosis, establishment of DNA isolation systems needs extensive validation processes. Usually, the eluate contains a mixture of microbial and host DNA, whereby the latter negatively influences downstream analysis, especially at low load samples. Molzym’s MolYsis™ Basic kits deplete host DNA in samples prior to standard DNA extraction.
Vol 4/2018 - New Solutions for 16S Metagenomic Sequencing
Are you using next generation sequencing and looking for reagents and methods for infection diagnosis by microbiome analysis? The new NGSeq 16S V3/V4 is a master mix for the Amplicon PCR as part of the library preparation for 16S metagenomic sequencing with Illumina® MiSeq system. Discover its benefits and learn about other helpful methods.
Report on the 2nd Conference on Clinical Metagenomics
Metagenomic sequencing is used to recover information regarding clinically relevant infections. In their report, Ruppé & Schrenzel summarise last year’s 2nd International Conference on Clinical Metagenomics (ICCMg2). This post focusses on the current status, experiences, diagnostic use and clinical impact of sample treatment.
Diagnosis of Culture-Negative Infective Endocarditis
Identification of aetiologies of infective endocarditis is crucial for initiation of targeted antibiotic treatment and patient outcome, but culture often fails. Marsch and his colleagues analysed 46 heart valves with negative or inconsistent culture results by 16S/18S rDNA PCR. In 7 patients, PCR results led to the change of the antibiotic regime.
Visit Molzym at the AACC Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL
The 70th AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo is the largest global scientific conference in laboratory medicine. Molzym will be exhibiting their innovative products for rapid culture-independent molecular diagnosis of microbes focussing on unique solutions for microbial DNA enrichment from clinical specimens and DNA-free PCR assays.
Unbiased PCR and Sequencing of Blood Stream Infections
Rapid diagnosis of sepsis pathogens is crucial for an early targeted antibiotic treatment and improved outcome of patients. Blood culture needs days until pathogen identification and often stays negative. Tkadlec et al. discuss the pros and cons of broad-range 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing on the basis of blood sample results of 330 patients.
EU-Funded Project on Invasive Fungal Disease Detection
Invasive fungal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immuno-compromised patients. In a FP7 project of the European Commission, Molzym partners with 5 institutions from 4 countries to develop and evaluate in multi-centre clincial studies fast DNA, enzymatic and protein-based assays.
SelectNA™plus - Robotic Pathogen DNA Extraction System
SelectNA™plus is the ‘Selective extraction of microbial Nucleic Acids’ from mixtures including host and microbial cells providing a ‘plus’ benefit by walk-away automated processing of clinical samples. This highly enriched microbial DNA guarantees highest analytical performance in research and routine diagnosis.
Molzym - 15 Years Expertise in Molecular Diagnostics
Molzym turns 15 years this month. Over the years, Molzym won reputation as a specialist in the fast molecular diagnosis of microbial pathogens without the need of cultivation. Our expertise in unique DNA extraction solutions and the supply of DNA-free amplification reagents supports the standardisation of qPCR, gene clone library and NGS assaying.