Evaluation of an automated analytical system for rapid screening of lower respiratory tract infections

Abstract

Valutazione di un sistema analitico automatico per lo screening rapido di infezione delle basse vie respiratorie SUMMARY Respiratory tract infections are relevant causes of morbidity and mortality. It has been demonstrated that an appropriate initial antimicrobial regimen, or its early modification based on microbiological results, leads to a higher survival rate. Automation in microbiology is of utmost importance in obtaining results in a shorter time, allowing an appropriate antimicrobial regimen to be started promptly. Uro4 HB&L is an automated tool that uses light scattering technology to detect the growth of bacteria. The system is largely diffused for bacteriuria screening and the residual antimicrobial activity test (RAA) in urinary samples. In this study, the application of the Uro4 HB&L system for the automation of respiratory samples analysis was tested to evaluate the concordance with the standard culture methods. Results of this study suggest that Uro4 HB&L can be able to speed up the laboratory procedures and grant reliable presumptive results for the clinician in very short time.

Method for sterility testing of corneal storage and transport media after removal of interfering antimicrobials: prospective validation study in compliance with the European Pharmacopoeia

“…In the present validation study of the method for sterility testing of the corneal culture media, we used an automated system with light scattering technology that allowed rapid detection of microbial growth. The system was originally designed for bacterial screening of urine and other biological samples and was recently reported to be useful for the analysis of fluid samples, 14 including corneal storage media. 15 However, the system does not eliminate or neutralise the antimicrobial residues present in the corneal storage media.…”