Pharmaceutical microbiologists have the great responsibility of ensuring their products are free of harmful contaminants and safe for consumers. Earlier this month at the Pharmaceutical Microbiology Fall Forum in Philadelphia, Microbiologics Vice President of Research and Development Brian Beck Ph.D….
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The growth promotion test (GPT) can be a hassle, but it’s necessary for determining if a new batch of media is acceptable. Follow our best practices below to make your testing process as smooth as possible when using Microbiologics products…
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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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Cronobacter sakazakii, formerly Enterobacter sakazakii, is a gram-negative bacterium that belongs to the Enterbacteriaceae family. It is found in the environment, commonly on plant and organic materials, and can survive very dry conditions. The bacterium has been isolated from dry…
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When summer is in full swing, many of us choose to cool down with sweet frozen dairy treats. However, the thought of ice cream tainted with Listeria monocytogenes may cause anyone, especially those in susceptible populations, to think twice. Listeria…
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Cladosporium cladosporioides, although generally nonpathogenic, can cause illness. This species, along with Exserohilum rostratum and Aspergillus fumigatus, was one of the pathogens isolated during a multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis due to contaminated sterile medication manufactured by the New England Compounding…
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Pluralibacter gergoviae can cause big headaches in cosmetic industry laboratories. It is an opportunistic pathogen that has repeatedly been isolated from personal care products. Most recently, this environmental isolate is the cause of a recall of involving flushable wipes. (6)…
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There are about 20 outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease each year in the United States. Most outbreaks occur in buildings with large water systems such as hotels and hospitals. The outbreaks are caused by Legionella pneumophila, a harmless microorganism in a…
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In 1950, a United States Navy ship spent six days spraying Serratia marcescens into the air two miles off the coast of San Francisco. The spraying was part of a biological weapon test called Operation Sea Spray. Prior to the…
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