Medical Microbiology & Diagnosis

Laboratory surveillance of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes is crucial for the successful implementation of vaccines to prevent invasive pneumococcal diseases. The reference method of serotyping is the Quellung reaction, which is labor-intensive and expensive. In the last few years, the introduction of MALDI-TOF MS into the microbiology laboratory has been revolutionary. In brief, this new technology compares protein profiles by generating spectra based on the m/z ratio. We evaluated the performance of MALDI-TOF MS for typing serotypes of S. pneumoniae isolates included in the PCV13 vaccine using a machine learning approach. We challenged our classification algorithms in “real time” with a total of new 100 isolates of S. pneumoniae from Argentinian nationwide surveillance. Our best approach could correctly identify the isolates with a sensitivity of 58.33% ([95%CI 40.7-71.7]); specificity of 81.48% ([95%CI 53.6-79.7]); accuracy of 63.0% ([95%CI 61.9-93.7]); PPV of 80.77% ([95%CI 64.5-90.6]) and NPV of 59.46% ([95%CI 48.9-69.2]). Furthermore, this approach allowed us to optimize the use of the antiserum used for capsular typing by 10.2% compared to the traditional "blind" typing scheme. In this work, it was possible to demonstrate that the combination of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and multivariate analysis allows the development of new strategies for the identification and characterization of Spn isolates of clinical importance.

Ebola virus appeared first in Africa in the village near the Ebola River in Zaire (new democratic Congo), then the virus spreads to many countries in Africa as an ongoing Ebola virus outbreak (endemic disease). Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Bundibugyo virus cause severe Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), a life-threatening outbreak in humans the scientists previously knew the virus as a potential bioweapons agent. The EBOV spreads far in Asia, Europe, and America due to human movement and travelers.

The identification of antimicrobial resistance markers in urinary tract infections could lead to a more targeted approach to UTI diagnosis and treatment, reducing overall public health burdens. We describe a molecular assay as a diagnostic tool for antibiotic resistance characterization in order to promote faster antibiotic regimen diagnosis when compared to standard microbiology techniques. Targeted antibiotic use for pathogenic infections remains a primary goal for effective antibiotic treatment protocols and lowering the overall public health burden. Rapid identification of the pathogen causing the infection and harbouring the antibiotic resistance gene is also an important area of research for antibiotic appropriation and stewardship.

Bacteriology, a branch of microbiology, is the scientific discipline that focuses on the study of bacteria-the smallest and most abundant organisms on Earth. Bacteria play critical roles in various ecological, industrial, and medical processes. This article provides a comprehensive overview of bacteriology, exploring the structure, classification, growth, metabolism, genetics, and ecological significance of bacteria. Additionally, we delve into the roles of bacteria in human health, agriculture, biotechnology, and the environment. With a profound understanding of bacteriology, scientists can harness the potential of bacteria to improve human life and address global challenges.