Journal of Clinical Microbiology

Helminth infections are uncommon in the United States, yet accurate detection remains critical. Conventional ova-and-parasite examinations are labor-intensive and prone to error in low-prevalence settings. We evaluated the impact of implementing an artificial intelligence (AI)-based wet mount screening platform (WM-AI) in a high-volume reference laboratory. Detection rates, turnaround times, and specimen characteristics were compared across two 6-month periods before and after WM-AI...

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mpn) is a common respiratory tract pathogen known to cause cyclic epidemics every 3-4 years. For 4 years (2020-2023), a low positivity rate (0.64%) for Mpn laboratory testing at Public Health Ontario suggested minimal circulation of Mpn in Ontario, Canada, likely owing, in part, to COVID-19-related non-pharmaceutical interventions. In 2024, we observed a dramatic re-emergence of Mpn, characterized by large increases in the number of laboratory-confirmed cases (n = 1,122)...

Accurate identification and genotypic drug resistance prediction in mycobacteria are essential for early diagnosis and appropriate clinical management. Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) detects multiple genetic targets and enables direct testing from primary specimens. We evaluated identification using the Deeplex Myc-TB assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) as well as MTBC drug-resistance prediction from 78 isolates and 102 sputum...

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is an important pathogen in companion animals. Accurate detection and reporting of mecA-mediated resistance to β-lactam antimicrobials is essential for guiding appropriate antimicrobial treatments. While surrogate agents are used in human diagnostic laboratories to predict β-lactam results in staphylococci, individual β-lactam breakpoints are published for veterinary staphylococci, discouraging the use of a surrogate. Comparative performance of these individual...

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Bloodstream infection is a time-critical diagnosis; however, the vast geographic distances in rural and remote locations lead to prolonged specimen transport times, which can impact the timeliness and quality of results. In this retrospective observational study, we evaluated the performance and timeliness of the BIOFIRE FilmArray Blood Culture Identification 2 (BCID2) nucleic acid amplification test conducted on positive blood culture broth fluid in two very remote hospital laboratories in the...

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Interpretation of tracheal aspirate cultures is limited by contamination with normal respiratory flora and inconsistency in collection, processing, and reporting. Our aim was to both decrease waste and improve the quality and interpretability of tracheal aspirate cultures by implementing laboratory-driven Gram stain rejection criteria. We reviewed prior tracheal aspirate specimens and cultures, examined the current literature, and gathered input from stakeholders to inform potential Gram stain...

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Mucormycosis is an invasive mold disease (IMD) caused by fungi in the order Mucorales. Early initiation of active antifungal therapy is critical for optimal outcomes, and molecular diagnostics can speed up the time to critical results. We reviewed 6 years of Mucorales polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to assess agreement with culture, histopathology, and/or pan-fungal sequencing across different specimen types. Medical record review was also performed to adjudicate cases of suspected IMD...

Rapid diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is very challenging, specifically in extra-pulmonary TB specimens. The current study was performed on non-sputum specimens. All specimens were subjected on Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra followed by Xpert MTB/XDR, Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) Staining, liquid culture, line probe assay (LPA), and drug susceptibility testing (DST). Out of 1,152 non-sputum specimens, 218 were observed to be positive on Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and were selected for further...

Diagnosis of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection relies on the concordant results of two serological tests based on different antigens and/or principles. Currently, the only accepted cure criterion is the switch from positive to negative serology, but anti-T. cruzi IgG may persist for years, even after treatment. Recently, a novel chemiluminescence immunoassay based on native T. cruzi excreted-secreted antigens (TESA)-Chagas TESA VirClia-was developed. This study assessed the performance of this...