Welcome to the Microbiology Information

The oxidase test is one of the most useful and common test used to differentiate groups of micro-organims. Here’s how it works:

Mode of Action
The cytochrome oxidase is an enzyme of the iron porphyrine group which is very widely distributed in nature. It oxidizes the reduced cytochrome c and is thus transformed itself into the reduced and inactive form. Through transfer of the electrons to molecular oxygen the reduced cytochrome oxidase is transformed again into the active form.

In the presence of molecular oxygen the cytochrome oxidase/cytochrome c-system can reduce a whole series of organic substances, among them the socalled NaDi reagent (1-naphthol + dimethylparaphenylene diamine) with formation of the condensation molecule indophenol blue.

This reaction is used for the classification and identification of bacteria.

Typical Composition
The reaction zone of a test-strip contains:

N,N-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene diammonium chloride 0.1 µmol; 1-naphthol 1.0 µmol.

Application
The separate colonies grown on a culture medium or, in the case of pure cultures, an inoculation loop full are being tested. Instead with bacterial mass the reaction may also be performed with a dense bacterial suspension.

Stability
See expiry date.

Only remove the amount of strips needed at the time! and do not touch the reaction zones of the test strips.

Close receptacle firmly immediately after use. The strips with deep brown coloured reaction zone are unusable. Please store at the specified temperature.

Storage
Store tightly closed in a cool dry place at +2 °C to +8 °C.

Safe removal
The test strip is to be removed safety after use like bacteria containing material. This may be done by burning, autoclaving or by placing into a 5 to 6% desinfectant solution - for at least 6 hours.

Experimental Procedure
With an inoculating loop take a separate, well-grown colony from the culture medium.

Apply the colony to the reaction zone and spread with the inoculating loop.

After approx. 20 to 60 seconds compare with the colour scale.

Evaluation
In the case of cytochrome oxidase-positive germs the reaction zone is coloured blue to blue-violet.

Medically important oxidase-positive microorganisms

Neisseria (all species), Actinobacillus ligniereslii, Aeromonas spp., Actinobacillus equuli, Pasteurella spp., Bordetella pertussis, Vibrio spp. Bac. anthracis, Cordiobacterium hominis, Bac. subtiliis
Pseudomonas spp. Brucella spp., Flavobacterium spp, Chromobacterium spp., Alcaligenes spp., Eikenella corrodens, Moraxella spp., Plesionmonas spp., Campylobacter spp. Branhamella catarrhalis
Micrococcus spp.

Oxidase-negative microorganisms
Staphylococcus spp. Pseudomonas mallei, Streptococcus spp., Pseudomonas maltophilia, Gemella haemolysans, Bordetella parapertussis, Peptococcus spp. Actinobacillus, Peptostreptococcus spp., Actinomycetem-comitans, Leuconostoc spp. Anaerobier (all), Corynebacterium spp. Haemophilus spp., Listeria spp., Pasteurella haemolytica, Lactobacillus spp. Type T, Bacillus spp., Streptobacillus
Enterobacteriaceae (all kinds), Mycoplasma spp., Acinetobacter spp., Acholeplasma spp.

Microbiology: An Introduction Media Update No Synopsis Available

Microbiology: An Introduction Media Update No Synopsis Available

Prepared culture media dispensed in plates, tubes, or bottles, which are not used immediately should be protected against light and desiccation, so that the composition and the performance is not changing during storage. The stability of prepared culture media is limited. For most of the prepared agar plates and bottled media the optimal storage temperature is 4-12 °C in the dark, and wrapped in a bag to avoid contamination and dehydration. Prepared culture media containing blood, egg yolk, egg yolk tellurite emulsion and antibiotics should be stored in the refrigerator at 2-8 °C.

If plating agars are to be stored for a longer period of time, they must be prevented from drying out by sealing each Petridish with adhesive tape along the joint between the lid and base or by packing several dishes into airtight plastic bags. Before packaging the plates are not dried. They should be cooled down, because hot to warm agar plates produces condense water. Excessive condense water may ultimately result in contamination of the plates. The storage of agar plates before drying limits the adverse effects of drying of the agar surface during storage. A loss of more than 15 % of the water content (during storage and incubation) can adversely affect the growth of microorganisms, particularly Gram-negative. Liquid media in test tubes or flasks should also be sealed airtight. Loss of water can result in precipitation and crystallization of certain substances in the culture media.

The extent of water loss depends on the composition, the amount of medium in the plates, the type of incubator i.e. fan-assisted or otherwise, the humidity of the atmosphere in the incubator, the position and number of the plates in the incubator and the incubation temperature.

In the case of culture media which contain unstable additives, it is often better to store the prepared medium without required additives and to add these later when the final medium is needed.

Some culture media contain ingredients which are extremely light sensitive, e.g. rose bengal in yeast agars like Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar. Upon exposure to light sensitive an inhibitory substance is formed. Rose bengal containing culture media must be kept in the dark both during storage and incubation.

The expiration date of prepared culture media depends on the quality of the basic ingredients, the formulation, the quality of the preparation procedures, the sterilization, the packaging and the storage conditions. Each laboratory should assess the expiration date of each prepared culture medium for its typical preparation, packaging and storage conditions.

ISO 11133 part 1 (2000-06-01) recommends that media to which final components are added immediately before use shall be kept in a refrigerator for not more than 3 months, at room temperature for not more than 1 month and in sealed bags for a maximum period of one week.

For its continual maintenance and its multiplication, microorganisms must draw from its environment the substances required for the synthesis of its cell material and the generation of energy. The substances microorganisms require are termed nutrients. The nutrient requirement of microorganisms varies with type of microorganism and can be very complex. Escherichia coli is very simple in its nutritional requirement, whereas Lactobacilus spp. are very demanding (fastidious). A culture medium must supply not only the nutrients a specific microorganism requires, but these must also be present in the appropriate concentration. A too high concentration of a nutrient e.g. amino acid, may inhibit the growth.

Composition of microorganisms-macromolecules
The solid matter of microorganisms contains in addition to hydrogen and oxygen (derivable from water) carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfurs. These six element account for 95 % of the cellular dry weight.

Microorganisms consists of water and macromolecules. Apart from lipids, the macromolecules are build from monomers. Monomers are the precursors of the macromolecules. Examples of macromolecules are:

Protein
Polysaccharides
Lipid
Lipopolysaccharide
DNA
RNA

Proteins are the most abundant class of macromolecules and consists of a polymers of the monomers amino acids. After protein ribonucleic acid (RNA) is the most abundant macromolecule. Ribonucleic acid is a polymer of nucleotides and occurs in ribosomes, messenger and transfer RNA’s, the key players in the protein synthesis. Lipids rank in abundance as third. Fatty acids are the main constituent of lipids. The simplest form of a lipid is a tri-glyceride and the more complex forms are phospholipid and glycolipid. Lipids are crucial for the membrane structure and serve also storage depots of excess of carbon.

The smaller fractions of cell constitute polysaccharide, lipopolysacharide and DNA. Polysaccharides are polymers of sugars and are primarily present in cell walls. They also serve as carbon and energy source (e.g. glycogen) Lipopolysachharides, such as glycolipid and glycoprotein, play an important role in cell membrane and cell surface receptor molecules. DNA is the other polymer of nucleotides and its contribution to the bacterial cell weight is small. Its function as the repistory of genetic information is, however, crucial to microorganisms.

Nutrient requirements
Microorganisms differ in the specific form under which carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen must be provided as nutrients. Nutritional studies have shown that microorganism that do not perform photosynthesis or bacteria that obtain energy from the oxidation of inorganic compounds obtain carbon simply from organic nutrients. These include i.e. amino acids, fatty acids, organic acids, sugars, nitrogen bases, aromatic compounds. The C source has a dual function and serves both as source of carbon and source of energy. Carbon is the major element in all classes of macromolecules. Some organism require a single organic compound whereas other can not grow with only one compound. Microorganism are extremely divers in the kind and the number of organic compounds they require as C source. After carbon nitrogen is the most important element and is found i.e. in proteins as amino acids and in nucleic acids.

The nitrogen (N) source for most organisms are inorganic compounds, that is ammonia, and nitrate or, organic compounds, that is, amino acids, nitrogen bases of nucleotides and many N-containing organic compounds. Nitrogen fixing microorganisms require nitrogen gas.

In addition to C and N source a microorganisms requires macronutrients such as phosphor, sulfur, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium and iron. Phosphor is required for the synthesis of nucleic acids and phospholipids. Sulfur is required in the amino acids cysteine and methionine and in vitamins such as thiamine, biotin, lipoic acid, and co-enzyme A. Most cell sulfur originates from inorganic source such as sulfate or sulfide. Potassium is required for the protein synthesis and plays an important role in the homoeostasis. Magnesium functions to stabilise ribosomes, cell and nucleic acids. It is also required for the activity of many enzymes. Calcium helps to stabilize the cell wall and plays a key role in the heat stability of endospores. Sodium plays a role in the homeostasis. Iron plays a major role in the cellular respiration and is a key component of cytochromes and iron-sulfur proteins involved in the electron transport.

Microelements or trace elements are elements such as cobalt, nickel, chromium, copper, manganese, selenium tungsten, vanadium and zinc. Many of the trace elements play a structural role in enzymes.

Any compound that a microorganism can not synthesise from simpler carbon sources must be provided as a nutrient. Such organic compounds are termed growth factors. These include vitamins, amino acids, purines and pyrimidines. Growth factors fulfill specific needs in biosynthesis and they are required in only small amounts. Vitamins function as co-enzymes. Lactic acid bacteria are renowned for their complex vitamin requirement.

Microbiology: An Introduction Media Update No Synopsis Available

Now here are some basic microbiology information, the culture media and its intended use. You see a microbiology laboratory cannot function without its core ingredient, media. Everything in microbiology is about growing microscopic organims and therefore knowledge of its growth media is critical. That is the composition of a culture medium formulation determines its purpose.

Preservation medium
A preservation culture medium preserves and maintain the viability of microorganisms over an extended period. During long-term storage the preservation medium protects microorganisms against the adverse influences (e.g. Dorset egg medium).

Resuscitation medium
A resuscitation medium is a non selective nutrient rich medium enabling stressed and damaged microorganisms to repair and to recover their capacity for normal growth (e.g.Tryptic soya agar with 0.3 % yeast extract or Tryptic soy broth).

Enrichment medium
A liquid culture medium provides nutrients for multiplication of microorganisms (e.g. Buffered peptone water or Nutrient broth).

Fermentation medium
A liquid culture medium formulated to achieve the nutrients for an optimal yield of a specific microorganisms (e.g. Yeast) or metabolism product (e.g. toxin).

Selective enrichment medium
A selective enrichment medium is formulated to support the multiplication of target microorganism or a group of microorganisms whilst partially or totally inhibiting the growth of accompanying interfering organisms (e.g. Muller-Kauffmann Tetrathionate broth with novobiocin or L-PALCAM broth).

Isolation medium
A solid culture medium which supports the growth of microorganisms (e.g. Plate Count Agar).

Selective isolation medium
A selective isolation medium which supports the growth of specific target microorganisms, whilst inhibiting other interfering microorganisms (e.g. PALCAM agar or MacConkey agar).

Differential medium
A culture medium which permits the testing of one or more physiological/biochemical characteristics of a microorganisms for their identification (e.g. Fluorocult LMX broth or Simmons Citrate Agar).

Identification medium
A culture medium designed to produce a specific identification reaction which does not require any further confirmatory test (e.g.Triple Sugar (TSI ) Agar).

General-purpose media
Some culture media may be assigned to several categories. Blood Agar, for example can be used as a resuscitation medium, as isolation medium or as a differential medium for the detection of haemolysis.

Culture Media for Food Microbiology No Synopsis Available

Bird Flu or the Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. The influenza viruses occur naturally among birds especially wild birds that carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them.

Avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. Birds infected with the virus shed the influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds then become infected when they have contact with contaminated secretions or excretions or with surfaces that are contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds.

Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with the virus.

Infection with avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry causes two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The “low pathogenic” form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production). Unfortunately, the highly pathogenic form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90 - 100% often within 48 hours.

The U.S. Government’s War on Bird Flu: Speeches, Testimony and Advisories Documenting the Official Response to a Potential Avian Influenza Pandemic The U.S. Government’s War on Bird Flu: Speeches, Testimony and Advisories Documenting the Official Response to a Potential Avian Influenza Pandemic

The comon flu is caused by the Influenza virus and it is a highly contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu is one of the most severe illnesses of the winter season. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, the flu is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.

In the US, the Peak Flu season is between December and March with the highest numbers of illnesses reported in February. To protect yourself against the flu and its complications a flu vaccination (flu shot) is required, however not every requires it.

Who Should Get the Flu Shot?
People 65 years of age and older
Children 6 to 23 months old.
Adults and children with chronic health problems.
Women who will be more than three months pregnant during flu season.

Is the Flu Shot Safe?
Contrary to popular belief, you cannot get the flu from the “flu shot.” The vaccine is very safe and generally has few side effects. There may be some soreness, redness, or slight swelling where the shot was given. Some people get a headache or slight fever for a day. But most people have no side effects at all.

How Often Should I Get a Shot?
You need to get a flu shot each year. Why? Because a virus causes the flu and viruses have the ability to change. A new vaccine must be developed each year to match the new virus. About two weeks after your shot, you will have protection against the new flu virus.

How to Know if You Have the Flu!
If you get the flu, symptoms will appear rapidly within hours to a day. A high fever, chills, dry cough, and a headache are common. You may also have a runny nose, congestion, sore throat, aches, and pains. The flu will cause extreme fatigue lasting several days even weeks.

The flu will also last longer than a common cold. While you are sick, try not to put others at risk. The virus is easily spread from person to person. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, the virus becomes airborne. Others then pick it up.

Severe cases can result in viral or bacterial pneumonia. Illnesses such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, and asthma can worsen during a bout with the flu. The elderly and people who are already sick are more likely to require hospital care.

Self Care with the Flu
Since a virus causes the flu–antibiotics like penicillin do not work to cure it. There are several antiviral drugs available by prescription only. When started within the first two days of illness, they can shorten illness. But they cannot cure it outright.

Bed rest is needed.
Take aspirin or non-aspirin pain releasers to ease muscle aches.
Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the virus out of your system.
Reduce the risk to others by staying at home until you recover.
Practice basic hygiene: wash hands often, cover nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
If severe symptoms last more than five days, see a doctor.

Cold Time (Cold, Flu & Allergies) by Nature’s Balance - 1oz. Stop the Misery of Colds and ‘Flu! Works with Seasonal Allergies Too! Escape the misery of colds and ‘flu this year! Stop colds and flu without costly prescriptions or painful shots! Cold Time’s all natural, herbal healing formula can actually knock out the infection overnight if taken at the first miserable sign of cold or ‘flu. Even if you didn’t catch the virus in the early stages, Cold Time works WITH your immune system to alleviate ALL the symptoms of colds and ‘flu. Herbal ingredients such as bayberry and goldenseal aid in relieving congestion and calming your cough, while boneset and echinacea help ease the aches and pains associated with these wintertime illnesses. Protect your family from lost time at work or school and save those dollars for vacations, not doctors’ visits. Ingredients: Cold Time contains bayberry, boneset, cayenne, chamomile, echinacea, goldenseal, licorice, peppermint and sage extracts in a 63% grain alcohol solution . Cold Time by Nature’s Balance - 1oz.

E. coli are bacteria that normally live in the intestines of humans and animals. Although most strains are harmless, several are known to produce toxins that can cause diarrhea. One particular E. coli strain called O157:H7 or VTEC 0157 can cause severe diarrhea and kidney damage.

This bacterium can infect anyone; however the very young and the elderly are more likely to develop serious complications. Infection occurs when contaminated food is consumed. The bacteria live in the intestines of some healthy cattle and contamination of the meat may occur in the slaughtering process. Deer meat such as venison may also be infected with the organism. Eating meat that is rare or inadequately cooked is the most common way of getting the infection. The same applies with fresh vegetables, unpasteurized fruit juices and raw milk, all of which have also caused outbreaks.

Poor food handling with raw food product such as raw meat juices can easily transfer this bacterium to cooked foods causing post process contamination. Person-to-person transmission, especially in child care settings, can occur if infected people do not wash their hands after using the toilet or diapering children (E.coli is common in feces). Drinking contaminated water and swimming in contaminated shallow lakes may also cause infection. Exposures have also occurred from farm animals, particularly calves and cows, and deer jerky which is uncooked dried meat.

Good hygiene is the key to ensuring safe food products, however if you want further information I recommend The Official Patient’s Sourcebook on E. Coli

Molecular Microbiology: Diagnostic Principles and Practice

bioMérieux, a leading international diagnostics company, announced the launch of an innovative system to collect organisms exhibiting unusual antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. The bioMérieux Organism Resistance Initiative Surveillance (BORIS) network is intended to directly address gaps in data through the proactive collection of bacterial isolates. bioMérieux will work with six U.S. clinical laboratories to collect the isolates, which will aid in internal research and product development.

Microorganisms exhibiting unusual patterns of antimicrobial resistance pose an enormous challenge to clinical laboratories with respect to accurate detection, treatment recommendations, and associated hospital costs. Laboratory-based surveillance is a proven, effective tool in monitoring both inside and outside the hospital in order to reduce the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens.

Recent events have demonstrated the importance of active epidemiological surveillance for the identification and control of emerging disease threats. Public health professionals have struggled with the overwhelming results of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and the possible effects of a bird flu epidemic. An active bacterial surveillance program can help identify specific pathogens and resistance mechanisms, which is the first step to improving diagnostic methods and early initiation of interventions.

The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) recently released a list of six “super bugs,” defined as “drug-resistant organisms constituting a public health threat, but having few or no drugs available for treatment.” The diagnostic industry bears some responsibility in the fight against the spread of resistant organisms and must contribute to detection of antimicrobial resistance by continued development of rapid, accurate methods of microorganism detection and characterization.

“As an industry leader in the field of diagnostic microbiology, bioMérieux acknowledges its responsibility to conduct research in the fields of bacterial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms,” said Herb Steward, senior vice president, North American Commercial Operations, bioMérieux. “The establishment and long-term support of BORIS will ultimately result in increased knowledge for all microbiologists, better products, better customer service, and ultimately, better patient care.”

BORIS was organized in 2005 through a highly collaborative effort between several departments within bioMérieux and was based on a recommendation by the company’s Advisory Committee for Clinical Microbiology. In early 2006, six regional U.S. laboratories were selected to collect isolates from a specified target list.

Network laboratories will begin collection of isolates in June 2006. The isolates will be evaluated at the laboratories of the bioMérieux research and development facility located in St. Louis, Missouri.

In addition to launching the BORIS system, bioMérieux recently established an agreement with the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (APUA®), a non-profit, international organization dedicated to promoting appropriate antibiotic access and use and curbing antibiotic resistance worldwide. bioMérieux donated an education grant to support APUA in an independent research and educational project entitled, “Measuring the Economic Burden of Drug Resistance in the U.S.”

“bioMérieux is pleased to partner with the APUA through support of this critical research on the clinical and economic implications of antibiotic resistance,” continued Steward. “Our alliance with the APUA, along with the launch of the BORIS system, demonstrates our commitment to the battle against resistant organisms.”

About bioMérieux, Inc.
bioMérieux is a leading international diagnostics group that specializes in the field of in vitro diagnostics for clinical and industrial applications. bioMérieux designs, develops, manufactures and markets systems (i.e. reagents, instruments and software) used in:

Clinical applications: the diagnosis of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, tuberculosis and respiratory illnesses, as well as pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, based on the analysis of biological samples (such as blood, saliva or urine); and

Industrial applications: the microbiological analysis of food, environments (such as water and air), surfaces and pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, based on the analysis of product or environmental samples.

In 2005, bioMérieux sales reached 994 million euros. The company is present in more than 130 countries through 35 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors, which positions the company well to benefit from the growth potential of the in vitro diagnostics market. Some important drivers that underpin this growth are aging populations and age-related illness, illnesses related to life-style and eating habits, emerging new pathogens, the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the fight against bio-terrorism, and the recognition of the importance of the quality of food products. bioMérieux is listed on the Eurolist of Euronext, Paris (FR0010096479 - BIM). Other information can be found at www.biomerieux-usa.com

Source: Carolina Newswire

It is admission time again in colleges. While some students are waiting with bated breath for the results to come in, others have already laid their hands on application forms for courses of their choice from local colleges.

Going by the application sales in several city colleges, it has become clear that students have come to terms with the fast changing nature of the society and prefer courses that could fetch them jobs, to the traditional ones. According the principals of most of the colleges, B Com and B Sc Computer Science are by far the most preferred courses in their institutions.

‘‘With many arts colleges conducting placement programmes that were considered a privilege of engineering colleges alone, many students prefer arts colleges to engineering colleges,’’ says Thiruvasagam, Principal Yadava College. ‘‘IT industry is booming like never before and courses with computer oriented studies are in great demand,’’ he said, and added that Yadava college has already sold out application forms for B Sc Computer Science and B Sc IT in almost double the numbers compared to last year. Many students now prefer an MCA or M Sc Computer Science course to engineering, he further said.

According to S Vellaichamy Nadar College principal K Natarajan, courses like B Com, BCA, biotechnology, MCA and MBA are finding good patronage nowadays. ‘‘Many students of late have been showing a clear preference to B Com with Computer application than the conventional stream,’’ he said, and added that there are very few takers for the other traditional courses such as BA Economics, History, English and Tamil Literature. A good number of people prefer emerging courses like Microbiology, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Natarajan added.

The story is no different at Thiagarajar college where, principal Arunagiri said: ‘‘Applications for Biotechnology, BCA and B Com are selling like hot cakes while B Sc Physics and B Sc Microbiology are the next two favoured streams.’’

According to him, the past two years have seen a rise in the number of takers for traditional courses like BA Tamil and English Literature. The reason for the rise, he attributed to the booming tourism and hospitality industries. The recently launched PG Diploma in Chemical Information Technology and Drug designing––two job-oriented courses––are also in great demand at the college as all the students who studied these two courses got immediate placement, Arunagiri said.

Meanwhile, at the Kodaikanal Christian College, Master of Foreign Trade (MFT), Master of Social Work (MSW) specialising in medical psychiatry, Master of Arts in Communication and Management and Master of Business Technology are some of the other courses notched high in demand.

The College dean Dr Velammal Pitchan said that the Students prefer these courses as they provide an edge over MBA. ‘‘These courses, besides developing management skills, equip students with good IT background,’’ she added.

BBA, B Sc Computer Science and B Com are some of the other courses preferred by the students, Velammal further said.

Many students now prefer an MCA or M Sc Computer Science course to engineering

Microbiology: An Introduction with CD-ROM plus Access to Microbiology Place Microbiology: An Introduction with CD-ROM plus Access to Microbiology Place

Source: Newsindpress

French diagnostic company , BioMérieux has developed an innovative system to collect organisms exhibiting unusual antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. The BioMérieux Organism Resistance Initiative Surveillance (BORIS) network is intended to directly address gaps in data through the proactive collection of bacterial isolates. bioMérieux will work with six U.S. clinical laboratories to collect the isolates, which will aid in internal research and product development.

Microorganisms exhibiting unusual patterns of antimicrobial resistance pose an enormous challenge to clinical laboratories with respect to accurate detection, treatment recommendations, and associated hospital costs. Laboratory-based surveillance is a proven, effective tool in monitoring both inside and outside the hospital in order to reduce the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens.

Recent events have demonstrated the importance of active epidemiological surveillance for the identification and control of emerging disease threats. Public health professionals have struggled with the overwhelming results of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and the possible effects of a bird flu epidemic. An active bacterial surveillance program can help identify specific pathogens and resistance mechanisms, which is the first step to improving diagnostic methods and early initiation of interventions.

The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) recently released a list of six “super bugs,” defined as “drug-resistant organisms constituting a public health threat, but having few or no drugs available for treatment.” The diagnostic industry bears some responsibility in the fight against the spread of resistant organisms and must contribute to detection of antimicrobial resistance by continued development of rapid, accurate methods of microorganism detection and characterization.

“As an industry leader in the field of diagnostic microbiology, bioMérieux acknowledges its responsibility to conduct research in the fields of bacterial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms,” said Herb Steward, senior vice president, North American Commercial Operations, BioMérieux. “The establishment and long-term support of BORIS will ultimately result in increased knowledge for all microbiologists, better products, better customer service, and ultimately, better patient care.”

BORIS was organized in 2005 through a highly collaborative effort between several departments within bioMérieux and was based on a recommendation by the company’s Advisory Committee for Clinical Microbiology. In early 2006, six regional U.S. laboratories were selected to collect isolates from a specified target list.

Network laboratories will begin collection of isolates in June 2006. The isolates will be evaluated at the laboratories of the BioMérieux research and development facility located in St. Louis, Missouri.

In addition to launching the BORIS system, bioMérieux recently established an agreement with the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (APUA®), a non-profit, international organization dedicated to promoting appropriate antibiotic access and use and curbing antibiotic resistance worldwide. bioMérieux donated an education grant to support APUA in an independent research and educational project entitled, “Measuring the Economic Burden of Drug Resistance in the U.S.”

“BioMérieux is pleased to partner with the APUA through support of this critical research on the clinical and economic implications of antibiotic resistance,” continued Steward. “Our alliance with the APUA, along with the launch of the BORIS system, demonstrates our commitment to the battle against resistant organisms.”

Source: Carolina Newswire