Analytical validation of the new plasma calibrated Accu-Chek (R) Test Strips (Roche Diagnostics)

peer reviewedBackground: The Accu-Chek Inform glucose monitor is a point-of-care system for testing blood glucose. New test strips, calibrated to deliver glucose plasma-like values, were launched on the market in May 2005. The aim of our study was to perform analytical validation of these new strips. Methods: We compared the new plasma strips with whole blood strips; results for the plasma strips with plasma values obtained using a clinical analyzer and with whole blood values given by the glucose electrode of a blood gas analyzer; and the influence of the type of blood (capillary or venous) on the results obtained by the glucose monitor with the plasma calibrated strips. Results: Plasma strips give on average 7% higher results than the previous whole blood strips. However, the results given by the plasma strips on capillary whole blood, even if well correlated, are not completely comparable with those given by an analyzer for venous plasma. Nevertheless, these plasma strips and the glucose electrode of a blood gas analyzer give comparable results. Conclusions: Accu-Chek Inform plasma strips are a good method for monitoring of blood glucose values in patients with diabetes

Does a rapid antibiotic susceptibility test optimize antibiotic therapy of patients with bacteremia ?

editorial reviewedNous avons évalué la contribution d’un antibiogramme rapide réalisé directement à partir d’une hémoculture positive (HP), le dRAST™, dans la prise en charge des patients présentant une bactériémie. Méthodes: Nous avons comparé, rétrospectivement, le délai entre le prélèvement et la disponibilité des résultats d’antibiogramme («temps-pour-résultats», TPR) entre le dRAST™ et l’antibiogramme classique (Vitek®2), auprès de 150 patients présentant une bactériémie. Les antibiothérapies de ces 150 patients ont été classés en trois catégories (optimale, suboptimale, inefficace) en fonction du moment d’obtention des résultats de l’antibiogramme. Résultats : L’adaptation du traitement antibiotique en thérapie optimale suite au résultat de l’antibiogramme est survenue chez 46/100 (46 %) des HP à Gram négatif et chez 4/50 (2 %) des HP à Gram positif. Le TPR était significativement plus faible avec le dRAST™ par rapport à l’antibiogramme classique (29:35 (± 08:48) heures versus 50:55 (± 12:45) heures, p < 0,001). Conclusion : Pour les patients avec bactériémie nécessitant une adaptation de l’antibiothérapie empirique basée sur l’antibiogramme, le dRAST™ permettrait une administration plus rapide du traitement optimal

Occurrence of Vibrio spp. in Selected Recreational Water Bodies in Belgium during 2021 Bathing Season.

peer reviewedIn recent years, a global increase in the number of reports of human vibriosis involving V. cholerae non-O1/O139 (NOVC) and other Vibrio spp. has been observed. In this context, the Belgian National Reference Center for Vibrio conducted an assessment of the presence of Vibrio spp. in recreational waters. Water sampling was performed monthly in different lakes in Wallonia and Flanders, including the North Sea. The collected water was then filtrated and cultured, and Vibrio spp. was quantified according to the Most Probable Number (MPN). Presumptive colonies were confirmed via MALDI-TOF, and PCR for virulence genes was applied if justified. No Vibrio spp. was found in the analyzed water bodies in Wallonia. However, NOVC was isolated from three different lakes in Flanders and from coastal water. In addition, V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus were also detected in coastal water. No clear impact of the pH and temperature was observed on Vibrio spp. occurrence. Our study demonstrates the presence of Vibrio spp. in different bathing water bodies, mostly in the north of Belgium, and supports the recommendation to include Vibrio spp. as a water quality indicator for bathing water quality assessment to ensure the safety of water recreational users in Belgium