Direct and fast detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage by automated nucleic acid extraction and real time PCR

We have developed a real time PCR assay for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening able to provide a result in less than 3 h. The PCR amplifies a 184 bp fragment corresponding to the junction area between mecA and orfX genes that allows specific identification of MRSA in a nonsterile specimen. 1481 nasal swabs taken from geriatrics, dialysis and intensive care patients were compared with traditional bacteriology. A short centrifugation, preliminary to the extraction, with "SETS" system allows a recovery of the sample. The automated DNA extraction is carried out by the MagNA Pure LC And the PCR by the LightCycler. The agreement between the two methods is 97.7%. A study of sensitivity and specificity on I I I I samples respectively gives 75 and 98% for the real time PCR and, 64 and 99% for the culture. The strategy of fast and effective tracking that we propose is of an undeniable contribution in the fight against the MRSA infections. (c) 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tons droits reserves

Automated capillary electrophoresis in the screening for hemoglobinopathies.

Hemoglobinopathies are genetic disorders of globin chains characterized by the decreased expression of α- or β-globin chains (thalassemias) or by the synthesis of an abnormal protein (hemoglobin variants in, e.g. sickle cell disease). The screening of most hemoglobinopathies relies, together with hematological results and clinical elements, on the separation and quantification of normal and abnormal hemoglobin fractions. Gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and HPLC have been the methods of choice for many years. For about 20 years, capillary electrophoresis has appeared as a strong alternative method. Since the early 2000s, automated instruments are commercially available for the analysis of Hb fractions in adult patients but also for neonatal screening.Journal ArticleSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe