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Microbiology

Image: Scientists are developing a disposable, POC flu detector that yields visible results in about 35 minutes (Photo courtesy of the American Chemical Society).

Rapid POC Test Developed to Detect Influenza

Addressing the perennial threat of a major flu pandemic, researchers have developed fast, easy-to-use point-of-care (POC) diagnostic test for influenza that could head off rapid spread of the virus during an outbreak. Preliminary clinical testing of the prototype device were encouraging. More...
22 May 2017
Image: An illustration of one of two minimally invasive microbiopsy devices designed to simultaneously sample a person’s blood and skin in a way that mimics the mode of biting by which the sandflies acquire meals (Photo courtesy of the International Journal for Parasitology).

Device Simplifies Identification of Leishmania Hosts

Researchers have developed a novel device for obtaining essentially painless, minimally invasive microbiopsies (MBs) that mimic sand fly bites and meals, providing a convenient sampling method for identifying asymptomatic, potentially infectious carriers of Leishmania donovani in endemic areas. More...
22 May 2017
Image: A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of Escherichia coli (E. coli) (Photo courtesy of NIAID).

Standard Test May Miss UTI in Some Women

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections that people experience. It arises when bacteria, most likely from the skin or rectum, enter the urethra and travel up to the bladder. UTIs affect several parts of the urinary tract, which includes the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. However, the most common type of UTI is a bladder infection, also known as cystitis. More...
18 May 2017
Image: The prototype device and kit for the influenza Antiviral Resistance Test (iART) (Photo courtesy of Becton Dickinson).

Rapid Assay Monitors Influenza Virus Susceptibility

Early detection of drug-resistant influenza viruses is needed for timely modification of policies and recommendations on the use of antivirals. In many countries, neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor(s) are the medications of choice for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza infections, with oseltamivir being most commonly prescribed. More...
17 May 2017
Image: The low-cost manual “paperfuge” was inspired by the whirligig toy, in which a loop of twine is thread through two holes in a button or disk. The loop ends are grabbed then rhythmically pulled. As the twine coils and uncoils, the button spins at a high speed. Bioengineers designed the paperfuge to concentrate parasites like malaria in blood (Photo courtesy of Stanford University).

Manually Powered Device Separates Blood for Diagnosis

Inspired by a whirligig toy, researchers have used its mechanical principles to develop an ultra-low-cost, hand-powered blood centrifuge out of paper, no electricity required. The tool could improve diagnosis of diseases like malaria, African sleeping sickness, and tuberculosis in resource-poor, off-the-grid regions where these diseases are prevalent. More...
16 May 2017
Image: Scientists have developed a new way to detect a flu infection through detecting neuraminidase, a spiky enzyme that helps the influenza virus spread to other cells in the body (Photo courtesy of Deposit Photos).

Research Makes Flu Virus Visible to Naked Eye

Researchers have discovered a way to make influenza visible to the naked eye by engineering fluorescent dye molecules to target a specific enzyme of the virus. The team was able to develop a prototype test kit that detects influenza in samples using a handheld lamp or blue laser pointer, and that even helps determine if a given antiviral therapy will likely be effective. More...
16 May 2017
Image: Salmonella Typhi, the bacterium responsible for Typhoid fever (Photo courtesy of Animated Healthcare).

Typhoid Fever Victims Present Unique Metabolomic Profile

A panel of metabolic markers distinguishes patients with typhoid fever from others suffering from non-typhoid tropical fevers such as malaria. More...
15 May 2017
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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.