Comparison of Real-Time Aspergillus PCR with Platelia™AspergillusEIA in broncho-alveolar lavage fluids for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients

Poster (2013, April 27)

Objectives. Because of low sensitivity of fungal cultures and lack of standardization of Aspergillus PCR, laboratory diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis still relies on galactomannan (GM) detection in ... [more ▼]

Objectives. Because of low sensitivity of fungal cultures and lack of standardization of Aspergillus PCR, laboratory diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis still relies on galactomannan (GM) detection in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluids and serum. The aim of this study was double: first, to assess the place of a 18S rRNA Aspergillus real-time PCR test performed in BAL fluid for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in neutro- and non-neutropenic patients in comparison with GM detection; secondly, to evaluate the use of three different GM cut-off values. Materials and methods. A total of 111 neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients hospitalized at the University hospital of Liège from March to October 2012 with suspicion of IA were included in the study. A total of 138 broncho-alveolar lavage fluids were evaluated by three laboratory diagnostic methods: 1/ culture on Sabouraud agar slants with antibiotics (bioMérieux, France) incubated at 28°C for 28 days; 2/ GM detection (Platelia ™Aspergillus EIA, Biorad) using GM index cut-off values at 0.5, 0.8 and 1, performed three times a week; 3/ a real-time Aspergillus PCR assay performed daily and targeting the 18S rRNA genes by using an in-house method. Clinical, radiological and microbiological data were reviewed for classification of patients. Results. Nine patients developed probable or possible IA. The sensitivity/specificity/positive (VPP) and negative (NPV) predictive values (%) for culture, PCR, and GM using 0,5 as cut-off value were respectively 41/100/100/94, 58/97/70/96, and 91/83/34/99. The use of 0,8 and 1 as GM index cut-off values increased the specificity to 89 and 92% respectively, and the VPP to 44 and 54%. PCR had a better turn-around time and allowed the detection of Aspergillus colonisation. Conclusion: GM detection in BAL fluids using a cut-off value of 1 was the most efficient laboratory test for the diagnosis of IA in neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients. Despite a lower sensitivity, PCR had a better VPP, and allowed the detection of culture-negative Aspergillus colonisations. A shorter turnaround time (TAT) due to daily practice of PCR tests may reduce the time-to-treatment up to 24 hours. [less ▲]

Direct identification of bacteria from BacT/ALERT anaerobic positive blood cultures by MALDI-TOF MS: MALDI Sepsityper kit versus an in-house saponin method for bacterial extraction.

in Journal of Medical Microbiology (2012), 61

In cases of bacteraemia, a rapid species identification of the causal agent directly from positive blood culture broths could assist clinicians in the timely targeting of empirical antimicrobial therapy ... [more ▼]

In cases of bacteraemia, a rapid species identification of the causal agent directly from positive blood culture broths could assist clinicians in the timely targeting of empirical antimicrobial therapy. For this purpose, we evaluated the direct identification of micro-organisms from BacT/ALERT (bioMérieux) anaerobic positive blood cultures without charcoal using the Microflex matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time of flight MS (Bruker), after bacterial extraction by using two different methods: the MALDI Sepsityper kit (Bruker) and an in-house saponin lysis method. Bruker's recommended criteria for identification were expanded in this study, with acceptance of the species identification when the first three results with the best matches with the MALDI Biotyper database were identical, whatever the scores were. In total, 107 monobacterial cultures and six polymicrobial cultures from 77 different patients were included in this study. Among monomicrobial cultures, we identified up to the species level 67 and 66 % of bacteria with the MALDI Sepsityper kit and the saponin method, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two extraction methods. The direct species identification was particularly inconclusive for Gram-positive bacteria, as only 58 and 52 % of them were identified to the species level with the MALDI Sepsityper kit and the saponin method, respectively. Results for Gram-negative bacilli were better, with 82.5 and 90 % of correct identification to the species level with the MALDI Sepsityper kit and the saponin method, respectively. No misidentifications were given by the direct procedures when compared with identifications provided by the conventional method. Concerning the six polymicrobial blood cultures, whatever the extraction method used, a correct direct identification was only provided for one of the isolated bacteria on solid medium in all cases. The analysis of the time-to-result demonstrated a reduction in the turnaround time for identification ranging from 1 h 06 min to 24 h 44 min, when performing the blood culture direct identification in comparison with the conventional method, whatever the extraction method. [less ▲]

Phenotypical and genotypical surveillance of macrolide and lincosamide resistance in group B streptococcus in Belgium

in Program and Abstract of the 52nd Intersciences Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (2012, September)

Background: Constant increase of erythromycin (E) and clindamycin (C) resistance (R) has been observed worldwide among isolates of group B streptococci (GBS). In Belgium, through the 2000s, E R increased ... [more ▼]

Background: Constant increase of erythromycin (E) and clindamycin (C) resistance (R) has been observed worldwide among isolates of group B streptococci (GBS). In Belgium, through the 2000s, E R increased rapidly from 10% to up to 30%. Therefore phenotypical and molecular surveillance of E and C R has to be conducted. Methods: 275 clinical isolates (N1) were obtained from a Belgian surveillance for invasive GBS disease in newborns (59 isolates with 32 early- and 27 late-onset diseases) and adults (216 strains) during 2008 to 2011 and 53 isolates (N2) from vagino-rectal colonization in pregnant women in 2010. E and C MICs were determined by using Etest® (EUCAST interpretive criteria). Furthermore, for the E R isolates, the inducible (iMLS), constitutive (cMLS) and M phenotypes were assessed by a double disk diffusion test; the distribution of genes encoding RNA methylases and efflux pumps was investigated by PCR. Results: Of the N1 and N2 isolates, 92 (33.5%) and 15 (28.3%) were respectively R to E, with a higher rate among serotype V (p <0.001) and serotype IV (p <0.05). Among these 107 E-R isolates, 100 (93.5%) exhibited the MLS phenotype (R to E and CC): 73 were cMLS with E MIC50 >256 mg/L and 27 iMLS with E MIC50/MIC90 12/>256 mg/L. The M phenotype (R to E and S to C) was expressed by 7 (6.5%) of E R isolates with E MIC50/MIC90 4/12 mg/L. One colonizing strain presented a newly described resistance mechanism in GBS: the L phenotype (S to E and R to C) with a C MIC at 8 mg/L. For cMLS, the most common E R genotype was ermB (66%) (p <0.05) followed by ermTR (29%) and ermB+ermTR (5%). All iMLS isolates harbored an ermTR gene except 3 (2 with ermB, 1 with both ermB and ermTR); and all M phenotype were positive for mefA/B gene. Conclusions:1) In Belgium, by year 2010, prevalence of macrolides R in GBS exceeded 30%, 2) MLS R phenotypes (target-site modification) were the majority mechanism; M phenotype (efflux R mechanism) was also prevalent. 3) E and C susceptibility testing and surveillance are mandatory to guide prophylaxis and treatment of serious GBS infections in penicillin-allergic patients (at high risk for anaphylaxis) but also to identify emergence of newly acquired resistance mechanisms such as the L phenotype. [less ▲]

Proportion of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in community setting in Ngaoundere, Cameroon

in BMC Infectious Diseases (2012), 12

BACKGROUND: There is no information regarding the resistance mechanisms of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in community setting in Cameroon. The current study aimed to ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: There is no information regarding the resistance mechanisms of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in community setting in Cameroon. The current study aimed to determine the proportion of ESBLs in Enterobacteriaceae isolated in the community and to analyse some risk factors associated with ESBL carriage. METHODS: Faecal samples were collected from 208 different outpatients and 150 healthy student volunteers between 3 January and 3 April 2009. Enterobacterial isolates resistant to third-generation cephalosporins were screened for ESBL production by the double-disk synergy test. Presumptive ESBL-producing isolates with positive synergy test were identified by Mass Spectrometry using the BioTyper MALDI-TOF. For such ESBL positive isolates, antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the Vitek 2 system. PCR and sequencing were performed for the detection of different types of ESBL genes in presumptive ESBL-producing isolates. Statistical methods were used for the univariate calculation of risk factors. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 358 faecal samples were analysed; 58 of such samples (16%) showed an ESBL phenotype and were confirmed by PCR. The proportion of ESBL producers in faecal carriage was statistically different between outpatients and student volunteers (23.1% vs. 6.7%: p < 0.000). According to a univariate analysis, previous use of antibiotics (ciprofloxacin) appeared to be a risk factor for ESBL carriage (p < 0.05).Escherichia coli was the species most frequently isolated among the ESBL producers in outpatients (66.7%) and student volunteers (90%). Isolates showed additional resistance to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole but none of them was resistant to temocillin, amikacin or meropenem. Most of the strains (97%) produced a CTX-M group 1 enzymes [CTX-M-15 (98%) or CTX-M-1 (2%)] and the remaining strains produced SHV-12 enzyme (3%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of drugs such as amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole does not seem appropriate for empirical treatment because of emerging resistance. The implementation in Cameroon or in other African countries of methods of screening ESBL-producing organisms in routine laboratories is of great importance in order for us to offer patients appropriate treatment and for infection control efforts to succeed. [less ▲]

Validation of new automated chemiluminescent assay for serodiagnosis of human parvovirus B19 infection

Poster (2010, December)

Travaux pratiques de microbiologie générale

Learning material (2010)

Le syllabus reprend les méthodologies utilisées pour l'étude des bactéries, levures, virus. Il décrit les réactions sérologiques et les principes de biologie moléculaire appliqués au diagnostic ... [more ▼]

Le syllabus reprend les méthodologies utilisées pour l'étude des bactéries, levures, virus. Il décrit les réactions sérologiques et les principes de biologie moléculaire appliqués au diagnostic microbiologique. [less ▲]

Evaluation of the StrepB Select agar for the detection of group B streptococci from vaginal and recto-vaginal specimens

in ESCMID (Ed.) Program and Abstracts book of the 18th ECCMID (2008, April)

Evaluation of a new commercial real time PCR for the detection of Aspergillus spp. in serum and respiratory samples

Poster (2007, April)

Objectives. Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis is still disappointing and often delayed because of the lack of sensitivity of diagnostic tools. DNA detection based-methods have been developed, but differ ... [more ▼]

Objectives. Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis is still disappointing and often delayed because of the lack of sensitivity of diagnostic tools. DNA detection based-methods have been developed, but differ widely and comparisons are difficult to assess. The objective of the study is to compare a new commercial real-time PCR kit, affigene® Aspergillus tracer assay, with an in house nested PCR targeting 18S rRNA Aspergillus sp. gene. Methods. Twelve patients at risk for invasive aspergillosis were included in the study. They were classified to have possible (5 cases), probable (1 case) or proven (6 cases) invasive aspergillosis following E.O.R.T.C. criteria. Fifteen serum and respiratory paired samples were collected. The DNA extraction was performed by using the QIAmp DNA mini kit® (Qiagen, Germany). All samples were tested by both PCR assays and respiratory samples were cultured. Results. Respiratory samples. A. fumigatus, A. niger and A. flavus were isolated from 10/15 samples; both PCR methods were positive for these samples except one that was positive for affigene® and equivocal for the nested PCR. The real-time PCR assay reported cycle thresholds ranging from 25 to 38. Three of the five culture-negative samples were negative by both PCR methods; one of three was negative in affigene® assay and equivocal by nested PCR; the last sample was positive in affigene® assay and negative by nested PCR. Serum. Thirteen of fifteen blood samples were negative by both PCR methods. One sample was equivocal by nested PCR and was inhibited in affigene® assay despite a culture-positive paired respiratory sample. The last case was inhibited by the real-time PCR assay and negative by nested PCR. Nor the nested PCR, nor affigene® assay could detect any Aspergillus DNA in serum. In total, there was 93% of agreement between the two PCR assays. Conclusion. Both methods are in good agreement and can detect at least three different species of Aspergillus. However, the sensitivity of both assays does not permit the detection of Aspergillus DNA in serum. affigene® assay can easy replace the “in house” assay: it allows a fast and standardized detection of Aspergillus sp. DNA in respiratory samples without inconvenient due to the handling of PCR products. [less ▲]

Analytical validation of the new plasma calibrated Accu-Chek (R) Test Strips (Roche Diagnostics)

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (2006), 44(11), 1376-1378

Background: The Accu-Chek Inform glucose monitor is a point-of-care system for testing blood glucose. New test strips, calibrated to deliver glucose plasma-like values, were launched on the market in May ... [more ▼]

Background: The Accu-Chek Inform glucose monitor is a point-of-care system for testing blood glucose. New test strips, calibrated to deliver glucose plasma-like values, were launched on the market in May 2005. The aim of our study was to perform analytical validation of these new strips. Methods: We compared the new plasma strips with whole blood strips; results for the plasma strips with plasma values obtained using a clinical analyzer and with whole blood values given by the glucose electrode of a blood gas analyzer; and the influence of the type of blood (capillary or venous) on the results obtained by the glucose monitor with the plasma calibrated strips. Results: Plasma strips give on average 7% higher results than the previous whole blood strips. However, the results given by the plasma strips on capillary whole blood, even if well correlated, are not completely comparable with those given by an analyzer for venous plasma. Nevertheless, these plasma strips and the glucose electrode of a blood gas analyzer give comparable results. Conclusions: Accu-Chek Inform plasma strips are a good method for monitoring of blood glucose values in patients with diabetes. [less ▲]