Category Archives: Microbiology

Cytomegalovirus – congenital disease prevention & treatment

Posted on February 20, 2016 by mdjkf

Excellent series of expert reviews in Microbiology Australia recently including: Congenital cytomegalovirus: the invisible problem- Prof. Bill Rawlinson Clinical and epidemiological features of congenital cytomegalovirus infection globally–  Wendy J van Zuylen Therapeutics to prevent congenital cytomegalovirus during pregnancy: what is available … Continue reading →

Posted in Med Micro topics-advanced, Viruses | Tagged | Leave a comment

How well is your lab performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing?

Posted on January 3, 2016 by mdjkf

Production of reliable AST results is critical for clinicians and their patients. AST results enable correct antibiotic therapy to be directed against the specific pathogen(s). Please review this brief presentations from our bacteriology scientist Fiona Oehme.  EUCAST AST Quality Control F Courtney 2016 … Continue reading →

Posted in Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Module-basic microbiology and AMR, Quality management | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Must know Gram negative pathogens for medicine and pathology registrars/residents

Posted on November 18, 2015 by mdjkf

By focusing your study on these organisms first, you will gain knowledge that is generalisable across most less common pathogens and diseases. Be systematic in your study – see proforma. Enterobacteriaceae : E. coli, Klebsiella sp, Proteus sp, Enterobacter sp,  Salmonella … Continue reading →

Posted in Bacteria (GNEG) | Leave a comment

Dientamoeba fragilis morphological diagnosis and clinical relevance

Posted on November 16, 2015 by mdjkf

Dientamoeba fragilis measures 9-12 uM and have 1-2 nuclei (nearly half have only 1 nucleus). Important notice from RCPA 2015 concerning the (overall lack of) significance of Dientamoeba and Blastocystis detected in stool.  [Multiplex faecal PCR assays often include these … Continue reading →

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Must know Gram positive bacterial pathogens for medical and pathology registrars/residents

Posted on November 12, 2015 by mdjkf

By focusing your study on these organisms first, you will gain knowledge that is generalisable across most less common pathogens and diseases. Be systematic in your study – see proforma.  Future postings will provide background on key emerging issues with each … Continue reading →

Posted in Bacteria (GPOS), Microbiology | 1 Comment

Cyclospora cayetanensis – practical morphology

Posted on September 8, 2015 by mdjkf

Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts are similar to Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts but are approx. twice as large. Both are acid fast and stain pink/red/burgundy with safranin . Cyclospora can be more acid-fast variable and can have a bubbly appearance and be granular. In unstained wet mounts, Cyclospora appear glassy … Continue reading →

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Case report (from AAC): Community-Acquired Pyelonephritis in Pregnancy Caused by KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

Posted on July 27, 2015 by mdjkf

Abstract (full case report with expert commentary is free) Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) usually infect patients with significant comorbidities and health care exposures. We present a case of a pregnant woman who developed community-acquired pyelonephritis caused by KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. Despite … Continue reading →

Posted in Bacteria (GNEG), Cautionary tales, Infectious diseases, Module-Urinary tract infection | Tagged , | Leave a comment