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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