Latest Posts
Dear Stanley: Thermotolerant Strains for Fecal Coliform Testing
Dear Stanley, Do you know of any Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains that will grow at 44.5°C? I need thermotolerant controls for my fecal coliform test. Angie from Rochester, NY Dear Angie, Microbiologics has a document that can help…
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Growth Promotion Test Quiz
Microbiologics offers four unique QC microorganism products designed specifically for GPT that provide 10-100 CFU per 0.1 ml of hydrated suspension as required by USP guidelines. Learn more. Visit our website for helpful technical documents and instructional videos including a step-by-step tutorial on how…
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8 Antimicrobial Effectiveness Test (AET) Best Practices
What do taking two children, a dog and a cat on a cross-country road trip and performing the Antimicrobial Effectiveness Test (AET) have in common? They both require heaps of planning and an abundance of patience. So, if the test is…
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Dear Stanley: Investigating False Positive Results
Dear Stanley, Lately, our lab has been experiencing PCR results that don’t fit with what is expected. We will see occasional positive results in a negative sample. I think the issue could be related to contamination in the lab, but…
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Microbiology’s Wild West: Cannabis Lab Leaders Talk Testing Methods and Regulations
Cannabis has become a widely accepted form of medicine for patients across the United States. These patients, many of whom are immunocompromised, rely on testing laboratories to ensure the safety of the products they use. The lack of consistent and…
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7 Streak Plate Method Best Practices
Microbiologists use the streak plate method every day to isolate colonies. Streaking may seem like Microbiology 101, but bad habits can lead to errors and contamination. Follow these best practices to get your streaking technique down to a science. 1….
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New PCPC Guideline for Investigating Microbial Data Deviations in Personal Care Labs
No matter how precise you are when setting up tests, occasionally errors occur resulting in unexpected outcomes. This is especially true for microbiology assays, which due to the nature of microorganisms, are subject to more variation than chemical assays. For…
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Culture Method Quiz
Think you’re a microorganism growth requirements expert? Our culture method quiz will challenge even seasoned microbiologists while providing an opportunity to learn about some common and rare strains. Good luck and have fun! Read Next – Ask an Inspector: When…
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Ask a CAP Inspector: When Should a Rapid Diagnostic System Be Recalibrated?
Q: When should I validate or recalibrate my rapid diagnostic system? A: With all the rules and regulations, it’s hard to know when a diagnostic system validation or recalibration is required. For most multiplex PCR testing instruments, the requirements are…
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