Future horizons: Evolutions and revolutions in rapid microbiology

 

Rapid microbial tests should be risk-based so the stakeholder can select the preferred technology for their intended use and balance user requirement specifications including time to result, specificity, limit of detection, sample size, and product attributes. Many rapid methods produce signals not based on a colony forming unit (CFU), and that some non-CFU based rapid methods may detect and quantify viable cells that may not be effectively detected using conventional methods, media or incubation parameters. Data integrity remains an important consideration for rapid microbiological methods and not all technologies have been developed with the more exacting requirements of pharmaceuticals in mind. To have integrity, data must be attributable, legible (permanent), contemporaneous, original and accurate, principles known as ALCOA.

 

These standards apply whether a laboratory is using a conventional or rapid microbiological method. This review article assesses some recent developments with rapid microbiology… some of the technologies presented may feature in the pharmaceutical microbiology laboratory of tomorrow.

 

Sandle, T. (2022) Future horizons: Evolutions and revolutions in rapid microbiology, Pharming News, Issue 89, pp8-10

 

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)