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Thursday 31 October 2013

Micropod - microbiology podcast


The Society for Applied Microbiology provide benefits and resources online to raise awareness and knowledge of a diverse range of applied microbiology issues such as climate change and biofuels, food poisoning outbreaks and hospital acquired infection. The Micropod podcast, is an interesting podcast featuring interesting people. Some are microbiologists, some aren't scientists, but they all have one thing in common: everything they talk to us about is relevant to the lives of microbiologists across the globe.

Foe details see: Micropod.

Posted by Tim Sandle

Pharmaceutical Microbiology Glossary (new edition)


A new edition of the Pharmaceutical Microbiology Glossary is now available: expanded and revised.

This hand reference guide clearly explains the key terms relating to pharmaceutical microbiology as applied to pharmaceuticals, healthcare, medical microbiology, cleanrooms and contamination control.

The glossary has been written by Dr. Tim Sandle, an experienced pharmaceutical microbiologist. The book is ideal for students and as a reference guide for experienced practitioners.

The book is structured as a handy A-Z of pharmaceutical microbiology terms and definitions.

The glossary is available as a paperback or as an e-book, via Amazon. The links are:

Amazon U.S. / worldwide:

Paperback
E-book



Amazon U.K.:

Paperback
E-book

Amazon India:

E-book

Amazon Canada:

E-book

Amazon Austria:

Paperback
E-book

Amazon Germany:

Paperback
E-book

Amazon France:

Paperback
E-book

Amazon Spain:

Paperback
E-book

Amazon Italy:

Paperback
E-book

Posted by Tim Sandle

Practical tips on mitigating risk of your pathogens – Complimentary articles available


Dear Reader,

I thought you would be interested to read the top 3 articles that Heads of QA/QC, Process Development, Microbiologists and Viral Specialists are reading on the Pathogen Safety Summit Resource Centre.

   * WHITEPAPER: Pathogen Safety Today 2013 – Your one page round up articles and interviews surrounding viral security and strategy
   * INTERVIEW: What Would You Do in the Event of Contamination? - Lada Laenen, Managing Principal Scientist, Head, Cell Culture and Microbiology, Genzyme
   * 2012 PRESENTATION: U.S. FDA’s Regulatory Perspective on Viral Safety for Vaccines – Arifa Khan, Senior Investigator, FDA/CBER

  >> Download your copy at http://bit.ly/PSSinterview
  >> Or email enquire@iqpc.co.uk for your copy of all 3 pieces

This interview was created in collaboration with Pharma IQ’s upcoming Pathogen Safety Summit, taking place in Munich, 18 – 20 November 2013 – Have a look at the event agenda here: http://bit.ly/PSSAgenda.

A 15% discount is available for members of this group – To get more information on this or to request a copy of the interview please get in touch with John Shah on the details below:

John Shah
Summit Director
Phone: +44 (0) 207 036 1305
Email:
enquire@iqpc.co.uk

I hope you find the interview valuable, please feel free to share it with your colleagues.

Kind regards,

Tim Sandle
Group Manager: Pharmaceutical Microbiology


Wednesday 30 October 2013

Control of hospital water systems


Several factors are involved in the contamination of hospital water systems and there are a variety of good practices that should be considered for maintaining control. Invariably various contamination events are featured in news reports, and at times these have both clinical and economic significance.

To explore some of the origins of contamination and to consider some of the ‘good practices’ that can be adopted to reduce contamination incidences, Tim Sandle has written a discussion article for The Clinical Services Journal.

The article covers such areas as: staff practices, good system design, sanitisation methods, equipment segregation, control of tubing, point-of-use issues and the primary types of contaminants.

The reference for the article is:

Sandle, T. (2013). Avoiding Contamination of Water Systems, The Clinical Services Journal, 12 (9):  33-36

For a copy of the article, please contact TimSandle.

Posted by Tim Sandle

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Textiles, cleanrooms and contamination control

ISO/TC 38 Textiles has introduced four new projects to develop test method standards for evaluating the electrostatic properties of textiles. Part of the justification for these projects is that there are currently no standards for evaluating textiles for contamination control purposes.

ISO/TC 38 has formed a Joint Working Group (JWG 26) with IEC/TC 101 to develop these standards.

Posted by Tim Sandle

Monday 28 October 2013

USP issues mobile app

In keeping with the trend towards more online content, the USP Standard is now available as an online app as a new interactive format for the online newsletter.

The USP Standard can be downloaded on various mobile devices. The app can be downloaded to a mobile device through the Apple Store, Google Play or Amazon.

See the following links:

Apple (for iTunes).


Amazon

Posted by Tim Sandle

Polio

The Society for General Microbiology has an interesting profile on polio.

Polio is a serious viral infection that can cause paralysis. It has been eliminated in the majority of the world due to effective vaccination, while on-going vaccination campaigns are driving it towards extinction in the tiny handful of countries where it still persists, notably Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan. The polio vaccines, originally developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, represent one of the great success stories in microbiology. The fact that these vaccines eliminated the disease in Britain and other countries demonstrates the public health benefit of concerted vaccine research.

To read the full piece, go to SGM.

Posted by Tim Sandle

Sunday 27 October 2013

Antibiotic-associated pathogen infection

The intestinal microbiota provide protection from bacterial infections. However, when disturbed with oral antibiotics, microbiota protection is disrupted, allowing the emergence of several pathogens. How do these pathogens capitalize on the failure of the protection provided by the microbiota?

Two antibiotic-associated pathogens, S. typhimurium and C. difficile, use a common strategy of catabolizing microbiota-liberated mucosal carbohydrates to facilitate their expansion within the gut (Nature, Sept. 2013).

The paper, by Katharine M. and colleagues, is titled "Microbiota-liberated host sugars facilitate post-antibiotic expansion of enteric pathogens".

The abstract reads:

"The human intestine, colonized by a dense community of resident microbes, is a frequent target of bacterial pathogens. Undisturbed, this intestinal microbiota provides protection from bacterial infections. Conversely, disruption of the microbiota with oral antibiotics often precedes the emergence of several enteric pathogens1, 2, 3, 4. How pathogens capitalize upon the failure of microbiota-afforded protection is largely unknown. Here we show that two antibiotic-associated pathogens, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) and Clostridium difficile, use a common strategy of catabolizing microbiota-liberated mucosal carbohydrates during their expansion within the gut. S. typhimurium accesses fucose and sialic acid within the lumen of the gut in a microbiota-dependent manner, and genetic ablation of the respective catabolic pathways reduces its competitiveness in vivo. Similarly, C. difficile expansion is aided by microbiota-induced elevation of sialic acid levels in vivo. Colonization of gnotobiotic mice with a sialidase-deficient mutant of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a model gut symbiont, reduces free sialic acid levels resulting in C. difficile downregulating its sialic acid catabolic pathway and exhibiting impaired expansion. These effects are reversed by exogenous dietary administration of free sialic acid. Furthermore, antibiotic treatment of conventional mice induces a spike in free sialic acid and mutants of both Salmonella and C. difficile that are unable to catabolize sialic acid exhibit impaired expansion. These data show that antibiotic-induced disruption of the resident microbiota and subsequent alteration in mucosal carbohydrate availability are exploited by these two distantly related enteric pathogens in a similar manner. This insight suggests new therapeutic approaches for preventing diseases caused by antibiotic-associated pathogens."

For further information on this topic, see Qiagen.

Posted by Tim Sandle

Saturday 26 October 2013

Drug resistant TB cases are 'underestimated'

The World Health Organization has estimated that at least three-quarters of drug-resistant tuberculosis cases have not been detected.
The news comes from the World Health Organization's (WHO) latest Global Tuberculosis Report. The report suggests that less than 25 percent of drug resistant cases of tuberculosis have been detected in 2012. This prevalence means that scientists are are still very far away from making real progress against this killer disease.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis may infect any part of the body, but most commonly occurs in the lungs. Globally, tuberculosis is the second most common cause of death from infectious disease (after those due to HIV/AIDS).
Commenting on the report, Mario Raviglione, director of the WHO Global TB program, said to Nature magazine: "the debt toll of tuberculosis, a disease that is preventable and curable, is far too high."
There is a positive that can be drawn from the report: the rate of new tuberculosis (TB) cases and the percentage of people who die from the disease has continued to decline.

Posted by Tim Sandle

Friday 25 October 2013

SeaBioTech project

Spotlight on a new area of microbiology and antimicrobials: the SeaBioTech project.

The SeaBioTech project, started in 2012, is intended to close some of these knowledge gaps by looking in the seas and oceans around the globe for life forms with novel properties. The aim is to find raw material for the world's biotechnology industry, with a particular emphasis on antibiotics and other medical compounds.

The plan is for the project to sample organisms from a wide range of marine environments, ranging from the cold Atlantic sea off Scotland to the volcanically-active region near the Mediterranean island of Santorini.

Posted by Tim Sandle

Thursday 24 October 2013

Reviewing cleanroom microflora

There has been very little published information relating to the “typical” microorganisms recovered from cleanrooms or clean environments. This can cause difficulties for the pharmaceutical manufacturer when assessing the results and range of “microflora” recovered from environmental monitoring activities. Microorganisms are found in pharmaceutical ingredients, water for pharmaceutical use, the manufacturing environment, intermediates, and in finished products.

On this subject, Tim Sandle has written an article for the Institute of Science and Technology. If you are interested in reading the article, please contact Tim Sandle.

The reference is:

Sandle, T. (2013). Understanding cleanroom microflora, The Journal: the Official Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology, Summer 2013, pp35-45

Posted by Tim Sandle

Rapid Microbiological Methods for Risk Assessment of Pharmaceutical Processes


Applying Rapid Microbiological Methods for Risk Assessment of Pharmaceutical Processes  -a free recorded webinar at: American Pharmaceutical Review

Recently the American Pharmaceutical Review hosted Internet based presentation on the use of rapid methods to help with the risk assessment of pharmaceutical processes, focusing on rapid methods. The recording is now available for free.

Featuring:

Dr. Tim Sandle: Application of Rapid Methods for the Risk Assessment of Pharmaceutical Processes

Dr. Jackie Horridge: The Advantages and Use of An Aerosol-Based Instantaneous Microbial Detection System for Risk Assessment

Posted by Tim Sandle

Wednesday 23 October 2013

New class of antibiotics being considered

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have presented a new principle for fighting bacterial infections, in the medical journal FASEB. The new antibiotic mechanism is based on selectively blocking the thioredoxin system in the cells, which is crucial to the growth of certain bacteria. Scientists hope to be able to treat such conditions as stomach ulcers, TB and MRSA.

The thioredoxin system is present in all cells and is central to the ability to make new DNA (genetic material). It is also important in protecting the cell from a process known as oxidative stress, which arises when excess oxygen radicals and other oxidizing agents are formed.

The study now being published describes how the scientists have used a drug candidate known as ebselen. Ebselen inhibits, among other things, thioredoxin reductase in bacteria.

For further details, refer to the following paper:

J. Lu, A. Vlamis-Gardikas, K. Kandasamy, R. Zhao, T. N. Gustafsson, L. Engstrand, S. Hoffner, L. Engman, A. Holmgren. Inhibition of bacterial thioredoxin reductase: an antibiotic mechanism targeting bacteria lacking glutathione. The FASEB Journal, 2012

Posted by Tim Sandle

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Beta glucans as pharmaceutical product impurities


β-Glucans (beta-glucans) are polysaccharides of D-glucose monomers linked by β-glycosidic bonds. Glucans are important because they can react with certain lysates and cause interference with the LAL test. Furthermore, glucans can, in certain circumstances, cause physiological effects in humans (β-glucans are known as “biological response modifiers” because of their ability to activate the immune system).

To discuss the implications on both the LAL test and in relation to pharmaceutical products, Tim Sandle has written an article for the American Pharmaceutical Review. The article has been published as a special supplement ‘Further Pharmaceutical Microbiology’.

The reference is:

Sandle, T. (2013). Pharmaceutical Product Impurities: Considering Beta Glucans, American Pharmaceutical Review, 16 (5) Supplement S1: 16-19

Posted by Tim Sandle

Monday 21 October 2013

Implications of the Human Microbiome on Pharmaceutical Microbiology


The human body is a composite of human cells that survive interdependently alongside complex, interconnected microbial populations, their genetic elements (genomes), and environmental interactions.  Collectively, this is known as the human microbiome.

The further of information about the human microbiome has a significant impact upon pharmaceutical microbiology. This includes the development, production, and use of therapeutic products, as well as the controlled environments within which medicinal products are produced.

To explore these themes further, Cara Wilder, Tim Sandle and Scott Sutton have written a review article for the American Pharmaceutical Review.

The article can also be viewed on-line.

The reference for the article is:

Wilder, C., Sandle, T. and Sutton, S. (2013). Implications of the Human Microbiome on Pharmaceutical Microbiology, American Pharmaceutical Review, 16 (5): 17-21

Posted by Tim Sandle

Sunday 20 October 2013

Fighting resistant bacteria: factor EF-P

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen have identified a potential new target to fight bacteria: the factor EF-P (elongation factor P). EF-P plays an important role in the production of proteins that are essential for the virulence of EHEC or salmonellae. The researchers' findings suggest that drugs blocking EF-P would impair the fitness of pathogenic bacteria and might lead to a new generation of specific antibiotics that can combat infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens.

For details, refer to the following paper:

L. K. Doerfel, I. Wohlgemuth, C. Kothe, F. Peske, H. Urlaub, M. V. Rodnina. EF-P Is Essential for Rapid Synthesis of Proteins Containing Consecutive Proline Residues. Science, 2012

Posted by Tim Sandle

Saturday 19 October 2013

FDA Adopts New Standard to Allow for Interchangeable Endotoxin Testing Between ICH Regions


The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a new guidance from the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), an international pharmaceutical regulatory harmonization group, focused on testing products for the presence of bacterial endotoxins.

New via Regulatory Focus

Background: ICH

The ICH is a regional harmonization group composed of the US, EU and Japan, with other countries, such as Canada, participating in a voluntary capacity. The aim of the group is to allow the regulatory processes of each to better align with those of the others, thereby allowing greater efficiencies for industry. This is perhaps best exemplified by the common technical document, which permits a company to submit a pharmaceutical dossier to all three countries with only minimal changes to a single module of the submission format to account for minor regional differences.

That standardization process also extends to certain supporting texts, such as the regional pharmacopoeias of the ICH regions. One of ICH's related guidelines for pharmacopoeia standards harmonization, Q4B: Evaluation and Recommendation of Pharmacopoeial Texts for Use in the ICH Regions, is actually a set of many guidelines, including the latest, Annex 14: Bacterial Endotoxins Test General Chapter.
The concept of the annexes is relatively straightforward: align pharmacopoeial texts among ICH's three main regions to make it easier for companies to adhere to standards across borders.

Annex 14: Bacterial Endotoxin Testing

For bacterial endotoxin testing, that means meeting the European Pharmacopoeia's (Ph. Eur.) 2.6.14 Bacterial Endotoxins, the Japanese Pharmacopoeia's (JP) 4.01 Bacterial Endotoxins Test, and the US Pharmacopoeia's (USP) General Chapter <85> Bacterial Endotoxins Test.

ICH's annex says that any of the three pharmacopoeial standards may be used interchangeably throughout the US, EU and Japan provided the following two conditions are met:
  1. Any of the three techniques can be used for the test. In the event of doubt or dispute, the gel-clot limit test should be used to make the final decision on compliance for the product being tested.
  2. In the section Photometric quantitative techniques, Preparatory testing, Test for interfering factors, the user should perform the test on solutions A, B, C, and D on at least two replicates using the optimal conditions as recommended by the lysate manufacturer.
Per FDA's new guidance, this means that manufacturers seeking to rely on endotoxin data for an application may submit testing that complies with any of the three standards. However, regulators cautioned that they "might request that a company demonstrate that the chosen method is acceptable and suitable for a specific material or products, irrespective of the origin of the method."

The final guidance was published on 11 October 2013.

Posted by Alexander Gaffney

Secret botulism paper revealed


The discovery of a new form of the deadly botulinum toxin gets published. However, its sequence is hidden. This is the first time that the sequence of a newly discovered protein has not been revealed in a science papers that announces the finding.
Researchers at the California Department of Public Health in Sacramento discovered the protein, a new type of the extremely dangerous botulinum toxin, lurking in the feces of a child who displayed the symptoms of botulism. This is the eighth form of botulinum toxin recovered from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum is a soil bacterium. The spores can survive in most environments and are very hard to kill. They can survive the temperature of boiling water at sea level, thus many foods are canned with a pressurized boil that achieves an even higher temperature, sufficient to kill the spores.
The bacterium is perhaps best known for its neurotoxins, subdivided in types A-H, that cause the flaccid muscular paralysis seen in botulism. This is a serious food borne disease, and can be fatal. However, the bacteria are also the main paralytic agent in Botox. C., where weak forms are used by the some wealthy people to continue 'look young' by paralyzing their skin. The global botox market is forecast to reach $2.9 billion by 2018.
The botulism is of such toxicity and will be untreatable against existing medications. For this reason, the DNA sequence of the new botulism toxin will remain 'under wraps' until an antidote is developed, according to New Scientist magazine. This followed detailed consultations with representatives from U.S. government agencies, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security.
The findings have been published in two reports on the website of The Journal of Infectious Diseases. One paper is titled "A Novel Strain of Clostridium botulinum That Produces Type B and Type H Botulinum Toxins"; and the second paper is called "Molecular Characterization of a Novel Botulinum Neurotoxin Type H Gene."


Posted by Tim Sandle

Friday 18 October 2013

FDA approves new drug for inhaled anthrax

Food and Drug Administration has approved a new injectable drug from Human Genome Sciences to treat inhalable anthrax. The drug is called raxibacumab. It will provide an alternative to antibiotic drugs that are currently the standard treatment for anthrax infection.

Inhalation anthrax occurs when people breathe in the spores of Bacillus anthracis bacteria. The infection is treated with a 60-day course of antibiotics.

Raxibacumab is a manmade protein that blocks toxins produced by anthrax. It mimics naturally occurring antibodies in the human body that find and destroy harmful substances. The FDA approved the drug based on effectiveness studies in monkeys and rabbits that were infected with Anthrax. The drug's safety was tested in 326 healthy human volunteers. The drug was developed by GlaxoSmithKline PLC's Human Genome Sciences.

For more details, see the Washington Post

Posted by Tim Sandle

Thursday 17 October 2013

Media fill failure triggers product recall


Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NPC) has initiated a voluntary recall, at the retail level. This is due to a failure to pass a media fill (aseptic process simulation trial). The statement reads:

"NPC performs aseptic process simulation as part of our internal processes to assure product quality. All of the lots listed above met and passed NPC's quality specifications at the time of manufacture. NPC has received no reportable adverse drug events for any of the lots included in this recall. Nevertheless, in accordance with published guidance regarding aseptic processing simulation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), NPC has decided to initiate this recall as a precautionary measure. "

NPC has asked retailers to remove the affected lots from store shelves and is asking consumers to discontinue use and dispose of any product they may have that is included in this recall. This voluntary recall relates to the following product: Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution, 0.083%, in the 25 count packaging configuration (NDC# 0487-9501-25).

Posted by Tim Sandle

Pig-manure fertilizer linked to human MRSA infections


People living near pig farms or agricultural fields fertilized with pig manure are more likely to become infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, new research suggests.
The link between pig manure and MRSA follows on from previous research, highlighted by the Digital Journal, that found that livestock workers are at high risk of carrying MRSA, compared to the general population.
MRSA is a strain of staphylococcus bacteria that is resistant to methicillin and certain first-line antibiotics called beta-lactams. The bacteria can cause serious infections of the skin, blood, lungs and bones. Infections with drug-resistant strains, like MRSA, can be particularly difficult to treat.
For the new research, scientists examined the incidence of infections in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania manure from pig farms is often spread on crop fields to comply with state regulations for manure disposal.
In undertaking the study, researchers reviewed electronic health-care records from patients who sought care from the Pennsylvania-based Geisinger Health System. The researchers examined whether infected people lived near pig farms or agricultural land where pig manure was spread. They found that people who had the highest exposure to manure (calculated on the basis of how close they lived to farms, how large the farms were and how much manure was used) were 38% more likely to contract MRSA. The finding was based on analysis of skin, blood, and sputum samples.
This is not the only connection between farm animals and MRSA. Some parallel research has suggested that Human MRSA originated from cattle. Some researchers are of the view that the widespread use of antibiotics to encourage growth in farm animals fuels the proliferation of MRSA and other drug-resistant bacteria
The pig-manure / MRSA research has been published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine. The title of the paper is "High-Density Livestock Operations, Crop Field Application of Manure, and Risk of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection in Pennsylvania."


Posted by Tim Sandle

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Embracing quality risk management: The new paradigm


The use of risk assessment in the pharma industry is both an increasingly used tool and an expectation of regulatory authorities. Risk assessment forms a key component of any risk management program. Risk analysis and risk evaluation together represent the two fundamental parts of the risk assessment phase of a risk management process cycle. The assessment of risk involves either the quantitative or qualitative determination of one or more risks. Risks are generally recognized as being related to a situation, event or scenario in which a recognized hazard may result in harm. Quantitative risk assessment requires a type of calculation. This is often based upon the magnitude or severity of the risk and the probability that the risk will occur.

Recently Tim Sandle and Madhu Raju Saghee wrote an article on the drive towards risk based approaches and quality management, including the 'Pharmaceutical cGMPS for the 21st century: A Risk Based Approach' initiative by FDA; Annex 15 to the EU GMP Guide; and the ICH Guideline titled Quality Risk management., (ICH Q9).


To read more about risk management and its application to the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, go to Express Pharma.

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Risk Mitigation When Evaluating Cleanroom Construction Materials

Maik Jornitz has written a white paper exploring risk factors to consider when considering the materials to be used in cleanrooms.

The paper opens with the interesting observation: “Reducing the cost of goods sold has become a focus of pharmaceutical facility, cleanroom, and process design, especially as blockbuster patents have begun to expire and generic competition has intensified. The need to minimize manufacturing costs sparked a multitude of creative ideas. Unfortunately, this creativity has resulted in almost as many concerns.”

To access the paper, go to: cleanroom

Posted by Tim Sandle

Today is 'Global Handwashing Day'

October 15th is 'Global Handwashing Day', and dozens of countries have signed-up to help spread the message of hand hygiene and the importance of washing with soap and water.

There is a large body of evidence which indicates that washing hands regularly can reduce the impact of infections. A recent review spanning over forty-years of research on the topic reinforces the fact that the simple act of using warm water, soap and lathering for 15-20 seconds reduces the potential of infections by over 30% for stomach troubles and more than 20% for respiratory illnesses.

For the average person, this could mean one to two less bouts of illness per year.

For more details see Global Handwashing Day.

Posted by Tim Sandle

Monday 14 October 2013

WHO Good trade and distribution practices for pharmaceutical starting materials


Since the original publication of these guidelines, a number of new developments and concepts, including, for example, risk management, have influenced good distribution practices (GDP) principles and processes. A number of recent incidents have created awareness of the need for further improvement of the present guidelines.

For further information see WHO

Posted by Tim Sandle

New Organism Discovered

Researchers at the University of Arkansas have discovered and characterized a new organism that will help scientists understand the molecular mechanisms and ancestral genetic toolkit that enabled animals and fungi to evolve into diverse, multicellular life forms.

Jeffrey Silberman, a professor of biological sciences, isolated a new unicellular anaerobic eukaryote, and worked with former graduate student Matt Brown and others in the lab of Andrew Roger at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Cananda, on the genomics and description of this organism, which they named Pygsuia biforma. Brown, now a biology professor at Mississippi State University, is the lead author of the study, which was published August 28 in Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Biology).

To characterize the new organism, which was collected from brackish sediment in Prince Cove in Marstons Mills, Mass., the researchers described the morphology and sequenced the protein-coding genes of the organism to construct a 159-protein matrix for phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetics is the study of the evolutionary relationships among groups of organisms. The researchers found that the organism resembled two types of a breviate, which is a unicellular eukaryote, but distinguished itself with its conspicuous, long flagella.

Most importantly, the phylogenetic tree established the organism as a distant but unequivocal relative to a "supergroup" of eukaryotes that include fungi and animals. It provides a glimpse of the various components of cell-to-cell adhesion, which is a requirement for multi-cellular organisms. The organism also possesses components of the integrin-mediated adhesion complex, which in animals plays a key role in cell-to-cell signaling and adhesion to the extracellular matrix.

The genus name for Pygsuia biforma is derived from part of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks sports cheer, "Wooo Pig Sooie," because it has a row of structures resembling the dorsal bristles of razorbacks, which are feral pigs. "Pyg" replaces "pig" as a play on the Latin Pygmae, a mythical race of pygmies, a reference to their small size, and "sui" replaces "sooie" for brevity and a reference to the animal family to which suids, the ancient biological family of pigs, belong. Consequently the genus name also means "little pig" in mock Latin. The species name, biforma, is derived from the presence two distinct cell forms that are observed in the life cycle.


A culture sample of Pygsuia biforma has been submitted to the Smithsonian Institution.

For further details, see:

M. W. Brown, S. C. Sharpe, J. D. Silberman, A. A. Heiss, B. F. Lang, A. G. B. Simpson, A. J. Roger. Phylogenomics demonstrates that breviate flagellates are related to opisthokonts and apusomonads. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2013; 280 (1769): 20131755 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.1755

Posted by Tim Sandle

Sunday 13 October 2013

Microbial growth in low nutrient conditions

Scientists from New York University have now developed a sophisticated assay to track cell growth at very low nutrient concentrations. The assay uses time-lapse microscopy to monitor individual yeast cells undergoing a small number of divisions to form microcolonies. The assay can measure the lag times and growth rates of as many as 80,000 individual microcolonies in a single 24-hour experiment, opening up a powerful new high-throughput tool to study the complex interplay between cell growth, division and metabolism under environmental conditions that are likely to be ecologically relevant but had previously been difficult to study in the laboratory.

The researchers studied growth rates and lag times in both lab strains and wild yeast by varying the amount of its prime carbon food source, glucose. They confirmed the prediction made over 60 years ago by Noble-prize-winning biologist Jacques Monod regarding changes in microbial growth rates with limited nutrients (the Monod equation). They also found significant differences among strains in both the average lag response (the amount of time it takes to transition from cell quiescence to restarting cell growth) and average growth rates in response to different environmental conditions.

In addition to average differences between strains and conditions, the powerful assay revealed metabolic differences among cells of the same strain in the same environment. Moreover, yeast strains differed in their variances in growth rate.

For more details, refer to the following research paper:

N. Ziv, M. L. Siegal, D. Gresham. Genetic and non-genetic determinants of cell-growth variation assessed by high-throughput microscopy. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 2013; DOI: 10.1093/molbev/mst138

Posted by Tim Sandle

Saturday 12 October 2013

FDA Guidance on pyrogens and endotoxin testing

In 2012 the FDA issued their long awaited guidance relating to pyrogen and endotoxin testing. The document has important implications for conducting the LAL test and for assessing products and processes for pyrogenic substances.

As an introduction to the document and to set the context, Tim Sandle has written a review article for the GMP Review.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please contact Tim Sandle.

The reference is:

Sandle, T. (2013). FDA Guidance on pyrogens and endotoxin, GMP Review, 12 (2): 7-9

Posted by Tim Sandle

Friday 11 October 2013

Pathogen Safety Summit

Pharmaceutical Microbiology is pleased to be a media partner with the 2013 Pathogen Safety Summit.

The theme this year is 'Ensuring quality in raw materials, new technology use and data presentation'. The details are:

Focusing on advanced heuristics to contain known and emerging pathogens quickly and effectively, key topics covered this year include:
  • Deep sequencing for quality and in-process control testing
  • Single-use virus nanofiltration systems in downstream processing
  • Regulatory guidance on ensuring the safe provision of raw materials
  • Sterile manufacturing for advanced therapy medicinal products including cell and gene therapies
  • Responding to mycoplasma, virus, prion and bacterial contamination
  • Techniques to remove and inactivate pathogens without degrading raw materials
  • Formatting data from massively parallel sequencing for regulatory approval
Following the success of last year’s crisis management session, this year’s meeting again enables you to calmly pool, apply and receive feedback on what to do when contamination is reported. In addition, round-table discussions and workshops distil the essentials of identifying, understanding and responding to in silico, in vitro and in situ results.

Join us in Munich to apply lessons learned by regulators, industry experts and academic representatives on avoiding, detecting and removing contamination.

Posted by Tim Sandle

Linking endotoxin and septic shock


Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine have identified a sensor pathway inside cells. The research indicates that both exterior and interior sensors work together to detect the same component of bacterial cell membranes: lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

By showing how the immune system distinguishes between suspicious activity and real threats, the study could lead to new therapies for septic shock -- when the immune system overreacts to a bacterial infection to such an extent that it causes more harm than good.

The body responds to a bacterial infection by increasing blood vessel permeability near the area under attack, which allows immune system cells to leave the bloodstream and seek and destroy the bacteria. Fluid also leaks into the area surrounding the infection, causing characteristic swelling. This is beneficial in fighting infection, but when the infection gets out of hand and these immune response occur throughout the body, blood pressure plummets, overtaxing the heart and leading to organ failure and often death. This syndrome is known as septic shock. About half of the cases of septic shock are caused by bacteria that produce LPS, also known as endotoxin. In fact, much of what is known about endotoxic shock comes from studying animals injected with high doses of LPS.

For further details, refer to the following paper:

Jon A. Hagar, Daniel A. Powell, Youssef Aachoui, Robert K. Ernst, and Edward A. Miao. Cytoplasmic LPS Activates Caspase-11: Implications in TLR4-Independent Endotoxic Shock. Science, 13 September 2013: 1250-1253 DOI: 10.1126/science.1240988

Posted by Tim Sandle

Thursday 10 October 2013

Antibiotic resistant bacteria and farm animals

A new study has suggests that local domestic animals are unlikely to be the major source of antibiotic resistant Salmonella in humans. The result comes from a detailed study of DNA from more than 370 Salmonella samples collected over a 22-year period.

By studying the genetic variation in the Salmonella bacteria and their drug resistance genes, researchers found that distinguishable bacterial populations exist in human and animal populations living side by side.

The two key findings from the research were: first, the Salmonella bacteria largely remained within their original host populations and second, there were more varied combinations of drug resistance in the human-infecting bacteria.

For further details, refer to the following paper:

Mather AE et al. Distinguishable Epidemics of Multidrug Resistant Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 In Different Hosts. Science Express, September 2013 DOI: 10.1126/science.1240578

Posted by Tim Sandle

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Updates to Phameuropa (European Pharmacopeia)


Pharmeuropa is an EDQM publication. Draft monographs are published in Pharmeuropa for public enquiry prior to publication in the European Pharmacopoeia (or supplement).

Items of interest are:

Pharmeuropa 25.3

5.1.2.   Reference Standards

General review and update to describe the current state of the art in pharmaceutical reference standards, including alignment with the specifications and definitions of the corresponding ISO Guides (e.g. ISO Guide 34:2009) and introduction of:

The definition of international standards based on WHO Technical Report Series 932,
Herbal reference standards (HRS),
Biological reference preparations (BRP) and chemical reference substances for biologicals.

Minor editorial changes have also been made throughout the text.

Pharmeuropa 25.4

2.7.18 Assay of Human Coagulation Factor II

It is proposed to remove EDTA from the dilution buffer because its presence has been reported to inhibit the ecarin-dependent coagulation factor II activation and cause a decrease in the sensitivity and precision of the assay.

Posted by Tim Sandle

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Raman spectrometer and the search of Martian life

An instrument similar to those used on Earth by art detectives and to sense explosives at airports will be taken into space for the first time by ExoMars, the European Space Agency's mission to Mars in 2018. This Raman spectrometer will help space scientists hunt for traces of Martian life. This is according to EPSC.

Astrobiologists have shown that Raman spectroscopy can be used to detect micro-organisms even after they have been damaged by exposure to very high levels of radiation, as is encountered on the Martian surface. Unlike Earth, Mars has no substantial atmosphere or global magnetic field, and so is completely unprotected against the flood of energetic radiation particles from outer space. This cosmic radiation is a problem for human astronauts, but also for the survival of simple life -- or even signs of its previous existence -- in the martian ground.

Dr Lewis Dartnell, of the University of Leicester, who will be presenting the results at EPSC 2013 said: "Raman spectroscopy is a wonderfully sensitive and versatile technique. It can reveal details of the minerals inside rocks, and so what the micro-environment for life is, but we can also use it to detect organic molecules and signs of life itself."

Posted by Tim Sandle

Monday 7 October 2013

Sterilization and disinfection standards


Here is a handy list of sterilization and disinfection standards:
  • ASTM-E1173 - Standard Test Method of a Evaluation of a Preoperative, Precatheterization, or Preinjection Skin Preparations
  • ASTM-E1327 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Antimicrobial Handwash Formulations by Utilizing Fingernail Regions
  • ASTM-E1837 - Standard Test Method To Determine Efficacy of Disinfection Processes for Reusable Medical Devices (Simulated Use Test)
  • ASTM-E1838 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Virus-Eliminating Effectiveness of Hygienic Handwash and Handrub Agents Using the Fingerpads of Adults
  • ASTM-E2414 - Standard Test Method for Quantitative Sporicidal Three-Step Method (Tsm) To Determine Sporicidal Efficacy of Liquids, Liquid Sprays, and Vapor or Gases on Contaminated Carrier Surfaces


  • BS-EN-1174-1 - Part 1: Requirements, Sterilization of Medical Devices, Estimations of the Population Of
  • BS-EN-1174-2 - Part 2: Guidance, Sterilization of Medical Devices, Estimation of the Population of Micro
  • BS-EN-1174-3 - Part 3: Guide To the Methods for Validation of Microbiological Techniques.
  • BS-EN-13824 - Sterilization of Medical Devices. Aseptic Processing of Liquid Medical Devices. Requirements
  • BS-EN-15424 - Sterilization of Medical Devices. Low Temperature Steam and Formaldehyde. Requirements for Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • BS-EN-550 - Sterilization of Medical Devices, Validation & Routine Control of Ethylene Oxide Sterili
  • BS-EN-552 - Sterilization of Medical Devices. Validation and Routine Control of Sterilization by Irradiation
  • BS-EN-554 - Sterilization of Medical Devices. Validation and Routine Control of Sterilization by Moist Heat
  • BS-EN-556-1 - Sterilization of Medical Devices. Requirements for Medical Devices To Be Designated Sterile. Requirements for Terminally Sterilized Medical Devices
  • BS-EN-866-1 - Biological Systems for Testing Sterilizers & Sterilization Process. General Requiremen
  • BS-EN-866-2 - Part 2: Particular Systems for Use in Ethylene Oxide Sterilizers, Biological Systems for T
  • BS-EN-866-3 - Part 3: Particular Systems for Use in Moist Heat Sterilizers, Biological Systems for Testi
  • BS-EN-ISO-11135-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Ethylene Oxide. Requirements for Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • BS-EN-ISO-11137-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Radiation. Requirements for Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • BS-EN-ISO-11137-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Radiation. Establishing the Sterilization Dose
  • BS-EN-ISO-11137-3 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Radiation. Guidance on Dosimetric Aspects
  • BS-EN-ISO-11138-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Biological Indicators. General Requirements
  • BS-EN-ISO-11138-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Biological Indicators. Biological Indicators for Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Processes
  • BS-EN-ISO-11138-3 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Biological Indicators. Biological Indicators for Moist Heat Sterilization Processes
  • BS-EN-ISO-11138-4 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Biological Indicators. Biological Indicators for Dry Heat Sterilization Processes
  • BS-EN-ISO-11138-5 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Biological Indicators. Biological Indicators for Low-Temperature Steam and Formaldehyde Sterilization Processes
  • BS-EN-ISO-11140-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Chemical Indicators. General Requirements
  • BS-EN-ISO-11140-3 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Chemical Indicators. Class 2 Indicator Systems for Use in the Bowie and Dick-Type Steam Penetration Test
  • BS-EN-ISO-11140-4 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Chemical Indicators. Class 2 Indicators as an Alternative To the Bowie and Dick-Type Test for Detection of Steam Penetration
  • BS-EN-ISO-11737-1 - Sterilization of Medical Devices. Microbiological Methods. Determination of a Population of Microorganisms on Products
  • BS-EN-ISO-11737-2 - Sterilization of Medical Devices. Microbiological Methods. Tests of Sterility Performed in the Definition, Validation and Maintenance of a Sterilization Process
  • BS-EN-ISO-13408-1 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products. General Requirements
  • BS-EN-ISO-13408-2 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products. Filtration
  • BS-EN-ISO-13408-3 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products. Lyophilization
  • BS-EN-ISO-13408-4 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products. Clean-In-Place Technologies
  • BS-EN-ISO-13408-5 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products. Sterilization in Place
  • BS-EN-ISO-13408-6 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products. Isolator Systems
  • BS-EN-ISO-14160 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Liquid Chemical Sterilizing Agents for Single-Use Medical Devices Utilizing Animal Tissues and Their Derivatives. Requirements for Characterization, Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • BS-EN-ISO-14161 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Biological Indicators. Guidance for the Selection, Use and Interpretation of Results
  • BS-EN-ISO-14937 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. General Requirements for Characterization of a Sterilizing Agent and the Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • BS-EN-ISO-15882 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Chemical Indicators. Guidance for Selection, Use and Interpretation of Results
  • BS-EN-ISO-16201 - Technical Aids for Disabled Persons. Environmental Control Systems for Daily Living
  • BS-EN-ISO-17665-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Moist Heat. Requirements for the Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • BS-EN-ISO-18472 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Biological and Chemical Indicators. Test Equipment and Methods
  • BS-EN-ISO-20857 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Dry Heat. Requirements for the Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • BS-EN-ISO-25424 - Sterilization of Medical Devices. Low Temperature Steam and Formaldehyde. Requirements for Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • BS-ISO-11140-5 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Chemical Indicators. Class 2 Indicators for Bowie and Dick-Type Air Removal Tests
  • BS-ISO-13408-7 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products. Alternative Processes for Medical Devices and Combination Products
  • DD-CEN-ISO-11135-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Ethylene Oxide. Guidance on the Application of ISO 11135-1
  • DD-CEN-ISO-17665-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products. Moist Heat. Guidance on the Application of ISO 17665-1
  • ISO-11134 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Requirements for Validation & Routine Control - In
  • ISO-11135 - Medical Devices -- Validation and Routine Control of Ethylene Oxide Sterilization (Replaced by ISO-11135-1 and ISO-11135-2)
  • ISO-11135-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Ethylene Oxide - Part 1: Requirements for Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • ISO-11135-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Ethylene Oxide - Part 2: Guidance on the Application of ISO 11135-1
  • ISO-11137 - Sterilization of Health Care Products -- Requirements for Validation and Routine Control -- Radiation Sterilization
  • ISO-11137-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Radiation - Part 1: Requirements for Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • ISO-11137-1-AM1 - - Amendment 1
  • ISO-11137-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Radiation - Part 2: Establishing the Sterilization Dose
  • ISO-11137-3 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Radiation - Part 3: Guidance on Dosimetric Aspects
  • ISO-11137-AM1 - Amendment 1: Selection of Items for Dose Setting, Sterilization of Health Care Product
  • ISO-11138-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 1: General Requirements
  • ISO-11138-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 2: Biological Indicators for Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Processes
  • ISO-11138-3 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 3: Biological Indicators for Moist Heat Sterilization Processes
  • ISO-11138-4 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 4: Biological Indicators for Dry Heat Sterilization Processes
  • ISO-11138-5 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 5: Biological Indicators for Low-Temperature Steam and Formaldehyde Sterilization Processes
  • ISO-11139 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Vocabulary
  • ISO-11140-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Chemical Indicators - Part 1: General Requirements
  • ISO-11140-1-1 - Amendment 1: Part 1: General Requirements, Sterilization of Health Care Products - Ch
  • ISO-11140-2 - Part 2: Test Equipment & Methods, Sterilization of Health Care Products - Chemical Indicat
  • ISO-11140-3 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Chemical Indicators - Part 3: Class 2 Indicator Systems for Use in the Bowie and Dick-Type Steam Penetration Test
  • ISO-11140-4 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Chemical Indicators - Part 4: Class 2 Indicators as an Alternative To the Bowie and Dick-Type Test for Detection of Steam Penetration
  • ISO-11140-5 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Chemical Indicators - Part 5: Class 2 Indicators for Bowie and Dick-Type Air Removal Tests
  • ISO-11737-1 - Sterilization of Medical Devices - Microbiological Methods - Part 1: Determination of a Population of Microorganisms on Products
  • ISO-11737-2 - Sterilization of Medical Devices - Microbiological Methods - Part 2: Tests of Sterility Performed in the Definition, Validation and Maintenance of a Sterilization Process
  • ISO-11737-3 - Sterilization of Medical Devices - Microbiological Methods - Part 3: Guidance on Evaluation and Interpretation of Bioburden Data
  • ISO-13004 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Radiation - Substantiation of Selected Sterilization Dose: Method Vdmaxsd
  • ISO-13408-1 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 1: General Requirements
  • ISO-13408-1-AM1 - - Amendment 1
  • ISO-13408-2 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 2: Filtration
  • ISO-13408-3 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 3: Lyophilization
  • ISO-13408-4 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 4: Clean-In-Place Technologies
  • ISO-13408-5 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 5: Sterilization in Place
  • ISO-13408-6 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 6: Isolator Systems
  • ISO-13408-6-AM1 - - Amendment 1
  • ISO-13408-7 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 7: Alternative Processes for Medical Devices and Combination Products
  • ISO-13409 - Sterilization of Health Care Products-Radiation Sterilization-Substantiation of 25 Kgy
  • ISO-13683 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Requirements for Validation & Routine Control of M
  • ISO-14160 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Liquid Chemical Sterilizing Agents for Single-Use Medical Devices Utilizing Animal Tissues and Their Derivatives - Requirements for Characterization, Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • ISO-14161 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Guidance for the Selection, Use and Interpretation of Results
  • ISO-14937 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - General Requirements for Characterization of a Sterilizing Agent and the Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • ISO-15843 - Sterilization of Health Care Products-Radiation Sterilization-Product Families and Sam
  • ISO-15844 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Radiation Sterilization - Selection of Sterilizati
  • ISO-15882 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Chemical Indicators - Guidance for Selection, Use and Interpretation of Results
  • ISO-17664 - Sterilization of Medical Devices - Information To Be Provided by the Manufacturer for the Processing of Resterilizable Medical Devices
  • ISO-17665-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Moist Heat - Part 1: Requirements for the Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • ISO-17665-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Moist Heat - Part 2: Guidance on the Application of ISO 17665-1
  • ISO-17665-3 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Moist Heat - Part 3: Guidance on the Designation of a Medical Device To a Product Family and Processing Category for Steam Sterilization
  • ISO-18472 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological and Chemical Indicators - Test Equipment
  • ISO-20857 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Dry Heat - Requirements for the Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • ISO-25424 - Sterilization of Medical Devices - Low Temperature Steam and Formaldehyde - Requirements for Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • ISO/DIS-11135 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Ethylene Oxide - Requirements for Development, Val
  • ISO/DIS-17664 - Information To Be Provided by the Manufacturer for the Reprocessing of Resterilizable Devices
  • AAMI/ISO-11137-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Radiation - Part 1: Requirements for the Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • AAMI/ISO-11137-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Radiation - Part 2: Establishing the Sterilization Dose (ANSI/AAMI/ISO 11137-2:2013)
  • ANSI/AAMI-ST79 - Comprehensive Guide To Steam Sterilization and Sterility Assurance in Health Care Facilities (ANSI/AAMI St79:2010 & a1:2010 & a2:2011 & a3:2012)
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO-11139 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Vocabulary
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO-14160 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Liquid Chemical Sterilizing Agents for Single-Use Medical Devices Utilizing Animal Tissues and Their Derivatives - Requirements for Characterization, Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices (Ani/AAMI/ISO 14160:2011)
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO-15882 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Chemical Indicators - Guidance for Selection, Use and Interpretation of Results
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO-18472 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological and Chemical Indicators - Test Equipment
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO-20857 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Dry Heat: Requirements for the Development, Validation and Routine Control of an Industrial Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO11138-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 1: General Requirements
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO11138-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 2: Biological Indicators for Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Processes
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO11138-3 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators -Part 3: Biological Indicators for Moist Heat Sterilization Processes
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO11138-4 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 4: Biological Indicators for Dry Heat Sterilization Processes
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO11138-5 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 5: Biological Indicators for Low-Temperature Steam and Formaldehyde Sterilization Processes
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO11140-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Chemical Indicators - Part 1: General Requirements
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO11737-1 - Sterilization of Medical Devices - Microbiological Methods - Part 1: Determination of a Population of Microorganisms on Products
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO11737-2 - Sterilization of Medical Devices - Microbiological Methods - Part 2: Tests of Sterility Performed in the Definition, Validation and Maintenance of a Sterilization Process
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO11737-3 - Sterilization of Medical Devices - Microbiological Methods - Part 3: Guidance on Evaluation and Interpretation of Bioburden Data
  • ANSI/AAMI/ISO17665-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products -- Moist Heat -- Part 1: Requirements for the Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • DIN-EN-13824 - Sterilization of Medical Devices - Aseptic Processing of Liquid Medical Devices - Requirements
  • DIN-EN-ISO-11138-1 - Part 1: General Requirements, Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indic
  • DIN-EN-ISO-11138-2 - Part 2: Biological Indicators for Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Processes, Sterilizatio
  • DIN-EN-ISO-11138-3 - Part 3: Biological Indicators for Moist Heat Sterilization Processes, Sterilization Of
  • DIN-EN-ISO-11138-4 - Part 4: Biological Indicators for Dry Heat Sterilization Processes, Sterilization of H
  • DIN-EN-ISO-11138-5 - Part 5: Biological Indicators for Low-Temperature Steam & Foormaldehyde Sterilization
  • DIN-EN-ISO-11140-1 - Part 1: General Requirements, Sterilization of Health Care Products - Chemical Indicat
  • DIN-EN-ISO-11737-1 - Part 1: Determination of a Population of Microorganisms on Products, Sterilization Of
  • DIN-EN-ISO-17665-1 - Part 1: Requirements for the Development, Validation & Routine Control of a Sterilizat
  • DIN-EN-ISO-18472 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological & Chemical Indicators - Test Equipm
  • EN-13824 - Sterilization of Medical Devices, Aseptic Processing of Liquid Medical Devices, Requir
  • EN-15424 - Sterilization of Medical Devices, Low Temperature Steam & Formaldehyde, Requirements F
  • EN-556 - Sterilization of Medical Devices - Requirements for Terminally-Sterilized Medical Devi
  • EN-556-1 - Part 1: Requirements for Terminally Sterilized Medical Devices, Sterilization of Medic
  • EN-ISO-11135-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Ethylene Oxide - Part 1: Requirements for Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices (ISO 11135-1:2007)
  • EN-ISO-11135-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Ethylene Oxide - Part 2: Guidance on the Application of ISO 11135-1 (ISO/Ts 11135-2:2008)
  • EN-ISO-11137-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Radiation - Part 1: Requirements for Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices (ISO 11137-1:2006/AMD 1:2013)
  • EN-ISO-11137-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Radiation - Part 2: Establishing the Sterilization Dose (ISO 11137-2:2012)
  • EN-ISO-11137-3 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Radiation - Part 3: Guidance on Dosimetric Aspects (ISO 11137-3:2006)
  • EN-ISO-11138-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 1: General Requirements (ISO 11138-1:2006)
  • EN-ISO-11138-2 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 2: Biological Indicators for Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Processes (ISO 11138-2:2006)
  • EN-ISO-11138-3 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 3: Biological Indicators for Moist Heat Sterilization Processes (ISO 11138-3:2006)
  • EN-ISO-11138-4 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 4: Biological Indicators for Dry Heat Sterilization Processes (ISO 11138-4:2006)
  • EN-ISO-11138-5 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Part 5: Biological Indicators for Low-Temperature Steam and Formaldehyde Sterilization Processes (ISO 11138-5:2006)
  • EN-ISO-11140-1 - Sterilization of Health Care Products, Chemical Indicators, General Requirements
  • EN-ISO-11140-3 - Sterilization of Health Care Products, Chemical Indicators, Class 2 Indicator Systems
  • EN-ISO-11140-4 - Part 4: Class 2 Indicators as an Alternative To the Bowie & Dick-Type Test for Detect
  • EN-ISO-11737-1 - Part 1: Determination of a Population of Microorganisms on Products, Sterilization Of
  • EN-ISO-11737-2 - Part 2: Tests of Sterility Performed in the Definition, Validation & Maintenance of A
  • EN-ISO-13408-1 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 1: General Requirements
  • EN-ISO-13408-2 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 2: Filtration
  • EN-ISO-13408-3 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 3: Lyophilization
  • EN-ISO-13408-4 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 4: Clean-In-Place Technologies
  • EN-ISO-13408-5 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 5: Sterilization in Place
  • EN-ISO-13408-6 - Aseptic Processing of Health Care Products - Part 6: Isolator Systems
  • EN-ISO-14160 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Liquid Chemical Sterilizing Agents for Single-Use Medical Devices Utilizing Animal Tissues and Their Derivatives - Requirements for Characterization, Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
  • EN-ISO-14161 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological Indicators - Guidance for the Selec
  • EN-ISO-14937 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - General Requirements for Characterization of A
  • EN-ISO-15882 - Sterilization of Health Care Products, Chemical Indicators, Guidance for Selection, U
  • EN-ISO-17665-1 - Part 1: Requirements for the Development, Validation & Routine Control of a Sterilizat
  • EN-ISO-18472 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Biological & Chemical Indicators - Test Equipm
  • EN-ISO-20857 - Sterilization of Health Care Products - Dry Heat - Requirements for the Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices (ISO 20857:2010)
  • EN-ISO-25424 - Sterilization of Medical Devices - Low Temperature Steam and Formaldehyde - Requirements for Development, Validation and Routine Control of a Sterilization Process for Medical Devices
Posted by Tim Sandle