Microbiology

Researchers Decode Toxoplasmosis’ Control of Immune Cells
The infection toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and is widely spread. It is estimated that 30%-50% of the global human population are carriers. Cats are the parasites' main host, but the infection is also spread among other animals, including humans. More...20 Dec 2017

Multiplexed Amplification Evaluated for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Diagnostics
Viral hemorrhagic fever is a severe and potentially lethal disease, characterized by fever, malaise, vomiting, mucosal and gastrointestinal bleeding, and hypotension, in which multiple organ systems are affected. More...14 Dec 2017

Hepatitis C Screening Recommended During Pregnancy
The estimated prevalence of antenatal Hepatitis C (HCV) infection is low in the USA, about 1%-2.5%, although some have suggested that it’s as high as 4% and some have recommended against screening all pregnant women for HCV, citing a lack of data on the cost-effectiveness of universal screening. More...13 Dec 2017

Oral Microbiome Composition Reflects Risk for Esophageal Cancers
Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Because the disease is often not discovered until it has reached an advanced stage, five-year survival rates range from about 15% to 25% worldwide. More...12 Dec 2017
Second Test Helps Prevent Incorrect HIV Diagnosis
The specificity of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) used for early infant diagnosis (EID) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is less than 100%, leading some HIV-uninfected infants to be incorrectly identified as HIV-infected. More...06 Dec 2017

TB Culture Methods Determine Relapse and Cure
Tuberculosis (TB) kills more people than any other infectious disease, and new regimens are essential. The primary endpoint for confirmatory phase III trials for new regimens is a composite outcome that includes bacteriological treatment failure and relapse. More...04 Dec 2017

In Other News
Immunochromatographic Rapid Tests Evaluated for Cholera
Leukocyte Counts Change in Liver Phase of Malaria
Urine Particle Analyzer Compared with Standard Methods
POC Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Evaluated in General Practice
Glutaraldehyde Test Evaluated for Rapid Tuberculosis Diagnosis
New Methods Developed to Diagnose TB and HIV
RSV Plus Human Metapneumovirus Assay Approved
Droplet Digital PCR Detects Schistosomiasis DNA in Samples
Molecular Assay Rapidly Detects Hemorrhagic Fever Virus
New Method Helps Rule Out Heart Valve Infection
Biomarker Panel Enables Diagnosis of Mild Concussions
LAMP Malaria Assay Evaluated in Non-Endemic Setting
Zika Virus Persists Longer in Cutaneous Capillary Blood
Novel Immunochromatographic Method Rapidly Identifies Flaviviruses
Viral Marker Predicts Flu Severity in Infected Patients
Infectious Diarrhea Guidelines Recommend When to Test
Accurate HIV Self-Test Granted CE Mark
LAMP Assay Detects Clonorchiasis in Human Samples
Next-Generation Immunoassay Developed for Chagas Diseases
Novel Blood Test Identifies Pathogens in Suspected Sepsis
Swabs Compared for Pediatric Enteropathogens
Usutu Virus Infections Found among Austrian Blood Donors
New Zika Serotypes Likely to Emerge in Future
The LabMedica Microbiology channel provides the latest news in the fields of epidemiology, bacteriology, virology, and parasitology, all viewed from the unique perspective of Laboratory Medicine.