clinical microbiology

Survey of clinical microbiology and infectious disease testing capabilities among institutions in Africa

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This study surveyed 131 medical laboratories across 28 African countries to understand what types of infectious disease testing they can perform. Researchers found that while most labs can test for parasites and bacteria, fewer can perform tests for viruses (except HIV) or fungi. The study identified that HIV testing is widely available, but better access to other viral and fungal disease testing is needed to improve healthcare and prepare for future disease outbreaks.

The Impact of the Fungal Priority Pathogens List on Medical Mycology: A Northern European Perspective

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Fungal infections affect over a billion people worldwide but are often overlooked in healthcare. The World Health Organization recently created a priority list of dangerous fungi to help doctors and researchers focus their efforts. This review discusses how this list can improve diagnosis, testing, and treatment of fungal infections across Europe, while also highlighting the need for better training and awareness among healthcare workers.

Diagnostic Capacity for Fungal Infections in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria and Ghana – An Onsite Baseline Audit of 9 Sites

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Researchers audited laboratory facilities in 9 major hospitals (8 in Nigeria, 1 in Ghana) to see how well they could test for fungal infections. They found that most hospitals lacked basic equipment, trained staff, and proper procedures for fungal testing. This is a serious problem because fungal infections can be deadly if not caught early and treated quickly.

Performance of the VITEK® MS system for the identification of filamentous fungi in a microbiological laboratory in Chile

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This study tested a new laboratory technology called VITEK® MS for quickly identifying mold infections in patients. Researchers tested the system on 67 mold samples representing 35 different species. The technology successfully identified over 91% of the mold samples accurately without any misidentifications, making it a reliable tool for hospitals to quickly determine what type of mold is causing an infection so doctors can prescribe the right antifungal medication.

Survey of clinical microbiology and infectious disease testing capabilities among institutions in Africa

mycolabadmin

This study surveyed laboratory facilities across Africa to understand what infectious disease tests are available. Researchers found that basic tests like bacterial identification are common, but advanced tests for viruses (other than HIV) and fungi are less available. The study highlights the need for investment in laboratory infrastructure to improve disease diagnosis and help countries respond to health emergencies.

What’s in a name? Fit-for-purpose bacterial nomenclature: meeting report

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Scientists are discovering and renaming bacteria so rapidly that doctors and other professionals sometimes don’t recognize the new names, which can cause confusion in patient care and food safety. This meeting brought together experts to discuss the problem and create better systems for managing these changes. The key finding is that when bacteria get new scientific names, there needs to be better communication with the practical users like clinicians so they stay informed and can provide proper treatment.

Inferring fungal growth rates from optical density data

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Scientists have developed a new mathematical method that allows doctors and lab technicians to measure fungal growth rates more accurately using simple optical density measurements. This approach doesn’t require expensive equipment or specialized knowledge, making it accessible to regular medical labs. The method could help doctors better assess how well antifungal drugs are working and detect resistant infections earlier.

Editorial: Innovation in tackling the global challenge of eradicating antibiotic-resistant microorganisms

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Antibiotic resistance is a serious global health problem causing millions of deaths annually. Scientists are developing new approaches to fight resistant bacteria, including using bacteriophages (viruses that attack bacteria), improving detection methods, and testing plant-based compounds. This editorial discusses 15 research papers showing various innovative strategies, emphasizing that we need multiple tools working together rather than relying on any single solution to solve this complex problem.

Performance Evaluation of Five Real-Time PCR Assays for the Detection of Candida auris DNA

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Candida auris is a dangerous fungal infection that spreads in hospitals and resists common antifungal medications. Researchers compared five different rapid tests (PCR assays) to see which ones best detect this pathogen. The study found that different tests vary widely in their ability to detect the fungus, with some being much more sensitive than others. The findings highlight the need for standardized testing methods worldwide to ensure hospitals can reliably identify and control C. auris infections.

Renaming Candida glabrata—A case of taxonomic purity over clinical and public health pragmatism

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Candida glabrata is a common yeast infection that causes serious illnesses in humans, affecting millions of people worldwide. Scientists have recently proposed renaming it to Nakaseomyces glabrata for technical taxonomic reasons. However, this article argues against the change because it would create confusion for doctors, complicate treatment instructions on medications, disrupt disease tracking systems, and make it harder for patients to understand their conditions. Keeping the familiar name Candida glabrata is more practical and helpful for patient care and public health than strict adherence to taxonomic classification rules.

Research Keyword: clinical microbiology