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BackgroundGiven the risk of artemisinin resistance spreading from the Greater Mekong sub-region, prospective monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa should be expedited. Molecular biology techniques used for monitoring rely on the detection of k13 validated mutants by using PCR and Sanger sequencing approach, usually not available in malaria endemic areas.MethodsA semi-automated workflow based on the easyMAG® platform and the Argene Solution® (bioMérieux, Marcy l’Etoile, France) as a field-based surveillance tool operable at national level was developed in four steps. Clinical and analytical performances of this tool detecting five of the most frequent and validated k13 mutants (Y493H, I543T, R539T, F446I and C580Y) from dried blood spots (DBS) were compared to the gold standard approach (PCR and Sanger sequencing).ResultsBy using the ARMS (amplification-refractory mutation system) strategy, the best multiplexing options were found in 3 separate real-time PCR duplexes (IC as internal control/I543T, C580Y/Y493H and F446I/R539T) with limits of detection ranging from 50 (C580Y) to 6.25 parasites/µL (Y493H). In field conditions, using 642 clinical DBS (from symptomatic patients and asymptomatic individuals) collected from Cambodia, Myanmar and Africa (Chad), the overall sensitivity and specificity of the K13 bMx prototype assay developed by bioMérieux were ≥ 90%. Areas under the ROC curves were estimated to be > 0.90 for all k13 mutants in samples from symptomatic patients.ConclusionThe K13 ready-to-use bMx prototype assay, considered by the end-users as a user-friendly assay to perform (in shorter time than the K13 reference assay) and easy to interpret, was found to require less budget planning and had fewer logistical constraints. Its excellent performance qualifies the prototype as a reliable screening tool usable in malaria endemic countries recognized to be at risk of emergence or spread of validated k13 mutants. Additional multi-site studies are needed to evaluate the performances of the K13 bMx prototype assay in different epidemiological contexts such as Africa, India, or South America.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-018-2329-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most commonly encountered hospital-acquired infections worldwide, and one of the major contributors to an over mortality in critically ill patients. Initial empirical antimicrobial therapy is often broad-spectrum. Fast identification and quantification of microorganisms is of great importance to enable early effective targeted antimicrobial treatment. This trial compares the performance of the new BioFire® Pneumonia Panel (BPP) with quantitative conventional culture (CC) and an independent real-time quantitative molecular-based method (MM), in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients with VAP suspicion.MethodsBronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens from 120 patients with suspected VAP, enrolled at four different French ICUs, during January to November 2013, were analysed by CC, following microbiological standard procedures, by BPP and MM. A total of 15 bacterial targets, commonly detected by the three methods, were analysed for concordance above an agreed threshold for positivity. While every step is fully integrated, from specimen-to-results (BPP), bacterial DNA was extracted from each sample on the NucliSENS easyMAG® Platform, and real-time polymerase chain reactions were run in an ABI 7500 Dx thermocycler (MM).ResultsA total of 117 different BAL specimens were processed. Positive culture was obtained for 65.8% of BAL, while positive detections were observed in 79.4% with BPP and 75.4% with independent MM. Fourteen different species were detected by the three methods, with majority of the bacteria being S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and H. influenzae. Overall concordance performance between BPP and CC was 89.0% (83.1%–94.9%) positive percentage agreement (PPA) and 95.9% (95.0%–96.9%) negative percentage agreement (NPA). Overall concordance between BPP and MM was 97.1% (93.8%–100.3%) PPA and 96.6% (95.6%–97.6%) NPA. Following discrepancy analyses overall performance increased to 95.3% (91.2–99.3%) PPA when comparing BPP to CC.ConclusionThe new BioFire® Pneumonia Panel provides reliable quantitative microbiological data in BAL specimens, in only 65 minutes, which can lead to more appropriate management of VAP suspected patients in the ICU.RUO products used in this study have not been evaluated by the FDA or other regulatory agencies for In Vitro Diagnostic use.Disclosures A. Iannello, bioMérieux: Employee, Salary. C. Dubost, bioMérieux: Employee, Salary. C. Weber, bioMérieux: Employee, Salary. C. Alberti-Segui, bioMérieux: Employee, Salary. C. Mousset, bioMérieux: Employee, Salary. C. Ginocchio, bioMérieux: Employee, Salary. M. Rogatcheva, BioFire: Employee, Salary. V. Moucadel, bioMérieux: Employee, Salary. J. Yugueros-Marcos, bioMérieux: Employee, Salary.

Esterase (EST) from Pseudomonas putitda IFO12996 catalyzes the stereoselective hydrolysis of methyl DL-βacetylthioisobutyrate (DL-MATI) to produce D-βacetylthioisobutyric acid (DAT) serving a key intermediate for the synthesis of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. The inhibitors, such as captopril and alacepril, are used to treat hypertension and congestive

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