In a world where antibiotic resistant organisms are on the rise, including multi-drug resistant strains of N. gonorrhoeae, it’s more important than ever for clinicians and healthcare providers to provide proper and timely treatment for infections. Complex interactions exist between…
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Dear Stanley, I want to make sure I’m using the right atmosphere to get good growth of my microorganisms. Can you explain the differences between aerobic, anaerobic, microaerophilic, and capnophilic atmospheres for microorganism growth? Beth from Salt Lake City, UT Dear…
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The global spread of antibiotic resistant sexually transmitted diseases (STD) has received increased attention over the past several years from health institutes including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These organizations are…
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The ongoing Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma, Arizona, region has captured the attention of food manufacturers, retailers, and consumers throughout the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),…
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The water testing laboratory is the last line of defense against water-borne infections. Accurate results are critical to consumer safety. A robust Quality Assurance/Quality Control program will give the laboratory confidence in its results. Laboratories need reliable positive and negative…
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You love being a microbiologist. Your passion for understanding microorganisms and the impact they have on every aspect of life fuels your long days in the lab. We know all too well that a busy lab and finicky microorganisms can…
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You’ve identified an organism in your environment. Now what? If you work in a non-sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing laboratory, chances are you’ve encountered this question. You know environmental monitoring doesn’t stop at detection, but what are the correct next steps to…
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Everyone has heard of diphtheria, but this familiar infection caused by a Corynebacterium strain isn’t the only illness laboratories should be concerned about. Sterile manufacturing facilities should also be on the lookout for non-diphtherial Corynebacterium. These strains, commonly found in…
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Dear Stanley, CLSI M100 was updated this year. What are some of the biggest changes and how do they impact QC in my lab? Ruth from Chicago, IL Dear Ruth, Great question! In 2018, there were many changes to CLSI…
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It’s mid-March which means your kids are probably home on spring break and in need of activities to keep them occupied. Help them continue learning outside the classroom with these ten fun and educational science experiments. 1. Extract DNA from…
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