Using
a new method for identifying bacteria and fungi in patient specimens led to a
92 percent cost reduction in the reagents needed to run clinical microbiology
tests. From April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014, scientists at UNC Hospitals, in
the U.S. led a cost-analysis study. The lab used the MALDI-TOF MS to identify
specific microorganisms from 21,930 samples from patients at UNC Hospitals.
Specimens consisted of enteric pathogens, enterococci, gram negative
non-glucose fermenters, staphylococci, streptococci, and yeast.
MALDI-TOF
MS stands for Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight mass
spectrometry. It analyzes proteins from incubated specimens and identifies the
specimens by comparing them to known microorganisms in a database. Two
companies -- Bruker Corporation and bioMérieux, Inc. -- have developed slightly
different versions of the technology.
The
new test results were presented at the 2014 General Meeting of the American
Society for Microbiology in Boston on May 18.
Posted by Tim Sandle
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