Interpretive criteria for use of AccuProbe for identification of

AbstractRapid identification of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is possible by use of AccuProbe (Gen-Probe, San Diego, Calif.). To evaluate the reliability of the MAC AccuProbe for testing 7H9 cultures inoculated with broth from MGIT cultures positive for acid-fast bacilli or growth on a solid medium, we compared probe results to results obtained by sequencing a portion of the 16S rRNA gene. Isolates were sequenced if the MAC probe result was or =100,000 RLU and the colony morphology was not classic or there were two colony types. For the 1,389 cultures tested in phase 1, conducted to evaluate cutoff values for the MAC probe in testing of 7H9 cultures inoculated with broth from MGIT cultures, the sensitivity and specificity of the MAC AccuProbe were 97.7% and 88.8%, respectively, according to the manufacturer's interpretive criteria (> or =30,000 RLU is positive). If the cutoff for a positive result were 80,000 RLU, the specificity would be 100% and the sensitivity 92.3%. Of the 344 isolates in phase 2, which was conducted to confirm the 80,000-RLU cutoff for a positive result and therefore included only isolates with a MAC probe result of or =30,000 but <80,000 RLU were identified as mycobacteria other than MAC, including five Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates. These data support the use of 80,000 RLU as the cutoff for a positive result in testing of 7H9 broth cultures with the MAC AccuProbe

Sequence-based identification of gram negative nonfermenters using commercial 16S rDNA databases

PosterThis poster presents a study assessing the validity of the databases from two commercial systems were compared for the identification of NF. Background: Identification of gram negative nonfermenters (NF) from cultured human specimens is often difficult using traditional phenotypic methods. Partial 16S rDNA sequencing to identify NF depends on the completeness of the comparative database. Public databases lack quality control, but are routinely updated as sequences are published. Commercial databases are often incomplete and lack routine updates. In this study, the validity of the databases from two commercial systems were compared for the identification of NF. Methods: 100 NF clinical isolates identified by phenotypic methods were included. The 16S rDNA sequence for the first 500 bases was determined for each isolate. Consensus sequences were compared to the MicroSeq500 (Applied Biosystems) and Virodec (Roche Diagnostics) databases

Reality Bites

Fake news, alternative facts, post truth—terms all too familiar to anyone in U.S. political culture and concepts at the core of Dana L. Cloud’s new book, Reality Bites, which explores truth claims in contemporary political rhetoric in the face of widespread skepticism regarding the utility, ethics, and viability of an empirical standard for political truths. Cloud observes how appeals to truth often assume—mistakenly—that it is a matter of simple representation of facts. However, since neither fact-checking nor “truthiness” can respond meaningfully to this problem, she argues for a rhetorical realism—the idea that communicators can bring knowledge from particular perspectives and experiences into the domain of common sense. Through a series of case studies—including the PolitiFact fact-checking project, the Planned Parenthood “selling baby parts” scandal, the Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden cases, Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s Cosmos, the rhetoric of Thomas Paine and the American Revolution, and the Black Lives Matter movement—Cloud advocates for the usefulness of narrative, myth, embodiment, affect, and spectacle in creating accountability in contemporary U.S. political rhetoric. If dominant reality “bites”—in being oppressive and exploitative—it is time, Cloud argues, for those in the reality-based community to “bite back.

Investigation of foamed metals for application on space capsules annual report, 29 jun. 1963 - 15 aug. 1964

Foamed metal development for space capsules - brazing, variable density beam, thermal testing, mechanical tests, and machinin

Merging a Divided System: The Need to Integrate Care for Individuals Participating in Both the Medicare and Medicaid Programs

Educational Objectives 1. Identify the underlying premises of the need to integrate care between the Medicare and Medicaid programs for individuals eligible for both insurances. 2. Discuss innovations aimed at assisting older adults with an improved Medicare/Medicaid system. 3. Describe relevant health care concerns related to the current fragmentation of the health care system for older adults who possess both Medicare and Medicaid

Reality Bites

Fake news, alternative facts, post truth—terms all too familiar to anyone in U.S. political culture and concepts at the core of Dana L. Cloud’s new book, Reality Bites, which explores truth claims in contemporary political rhetoric in the face of widespread skepticism regarding the utility, ethics, and viability of an empirical standard for political truths. Cloud observes how appeals to truth often assume—mistakenly—that it is a matter of simple representation of facts. However, since neither fact-checking nor “truthiness” can respond meaningfully to this problem, she argues for a rhetorical realism—the idea that communicators can bring knowledge from particular perspectives and experiences into the domain of common sense. Through a series of case studies—including the PolitiFact fact-checking project, the Planned Parenthood “selling baby parts” scandal, the Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden cases, Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s Cosmos, the rhetoric of Thomas Paine and the American Revolution, and the Black Lives Matter movement—Cloud advocates for the usefulness of narrative, myth, embodiment, affect, and spectacle in creating accountability in contemporary U.S. political rhetoric. If dominant reality “bites”—in being oppressive and exploitative—it is time, Cloud argues, for those in the reality-based community to “bite back.

Differentiation of mycobacterium chelonae and M. abscessus using SmartCycler PCR and MGB eclipse probes

PosterThis poster discusses how the use of partial 16S rDNA sequencing (first one-third of the gene) for the identification of Mycobacterium species from cultured isolates has become recognized as a very accurate method for identification. The distinction between M. chelonae and M. abscessus, however, is not possible with partial 16S rDNA sequencing and therefore requires additional testing. Conventional tests that have been used for the distinction include growth on 5% sodium chloride and growth on citrate medium, both of which have been problematic with test inaccuracies and prolonged turnaround time. Restriction analysis of an amplified fragment of the hsp65 gene can distinguish M. chelonae from M. abscessus, but this requires gel analysis and interpretation of fragment sizes and is sometimes difficult because of the similarity of restriction patterns. In this study we developed a simple and rapid method using real-time PCR with the SmartCycler TM (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) to distinguish M

Mycobacterium arupense sp. nov., a novel moderately growing nonchromogenic bacterium isolated from clinical specimens

ManuscriptThis author manuscript discusses how several isolates of Mycobacterium species related to the M. terrae complex have been isolated from clinical samples. In the clinical microbiology laboratory, partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing (approximate first 500 base pairs) is often used to identify Mycobacterium species rather than full 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed 100% identity between 65 clinical isolates and Mycobacterium species MCRO 6 (GenBank accession no. X93032). Even after sequencing the nearly full 16S rRNA gene, the closest match to an existing type strain is only 99.6% similar to M. nonchromogenicum (ATCC 19530T). Sequencing of the nearly full 16S rRNA gene, the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer region, and the hsp65 gene did not reveal genotypic identity with the type strains of M. nonchromogenicum, M. terrae, or M. triviale