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Microbiology Tests

The department of microbiology has always been a key focus area at Suburban Diagnostics and has now become a centre of excellence in the diagnosis of infectious diseases.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE LABORATORY

State-of-the-art technology with US FDA-approved instruments like BacT/ALERT, Vitek 2 Compact, MGIT Bactec, Gene Xpert
Dedicated set-up with separate area for processing of samples of bacteria, TB and fungus
TB Lab is RNTCP accredited for first line drug testing
Updated CLSI guideline used for the interpretation of sensitivity of reports

Our key offerings in Suburban Diagnostics

Blood culture
Bacterial culture and sensitivity
Fungal culture and sensitivity
Urine culture
TB culture
TB Genexpert
TB sensitivity
MRSA screening
OT sterility using air sampler
Autoclave testing
Water sterility

Blood culture:

Blood cultures are done using an automated system – Bact/alert
Paired blood cultures using 1 aerobic and 1 anaerobic bottle helps increase the yield of positive blood cultures 2.5 times
Polymeric beads in the bottle adsorb antibiotics, if any, in the sample and allow organisms to grow uninhibited

Bacterial Culture

The bacterial isolate is identified and susceptibility done using and automated system – Vitek 2 Compact
The identification is done using 64 biochemicals
Susceptibility to various antibiotics is deduced using MIC and breakpoint MIC values
Susceptibility based on MIC values using an automated system ensures quality, precision, accuracy of results
Treatment of patients based on culture reports using MIC values ensures better clinical outcome as MIC values help select an appropriate antibiotic

Fungal culture:

Fungal infections are found in immune-compromised patients such as those on long term steroids, diabetics, patients with cancer or on anti-cancer therapy, transplant recipients, pre-term infants and the elderly
The samples processed for fungal culture are blood, urine, pus, tissue, body fluids, sputum, BAL, skin, hair and nail
Yeast cells isolated in the above samples can be accurately identified and susceptibility to 6 antifungals is given

Urine Culture:

Urinary isolate is identified and susceptibility is done using Vitek 2 Compact
The susceptibility to various groups of antibiotics is deduced using MIC and breakpoint MIC values
We use special containers with boric acid, a urinary preservative, to maintain the colony count of bacteria and avoid overgrowth

At Suburban Diagnostics, we retrospectively studied around 25000 samples of urine culture, over a period of 3 years. The study concluded the following:

TB CULTURE

Tb culture useing MGIT BACTEC is the gold standard in the diagnosis of tuberculosis
MGIT BACTEC employs liquid media which enhances the growth of mycobacterium
Provides culture results in 10 to 14 days, while the conventional LJ method yields results in 28 – 42 days

Genexpert TB test – MTB / RIF test – CBNAAT

Rapid and confirmatory molecular detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis genome and rifampicin resistance (rpoB gene mutation)
Can be performed on both pulmonary and extra pulmonary samples
Highly sensitive (88%) and specific (98%)
WHO recommendations: Genexpert TB test should be used as the initial diagnostic test in individuals suspected of MDR TB or HIV TB co-infection

TB SENSITIVITY

Sensitivity is done towards 13 drugs – Streptomycin, INH, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide, Kanamycin, Ethionamide, PAS, Moxifloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Amikacin, Capreomycin
Results are available in 2-3 weeks
Test done using MGIT BACTEC

MRSA SCREENING TEST

MRSA is Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus resistant to many drugs including Penicillin, Cephalosporins and Carbapenems
It is done in preoperative cases during transplants, implants and cardiac surgeries
Hand impressions and nasal swabs are tested
Results are available in 48 to 72 hours

OT STERILITY USING AIR SAMPLERS

Uses automated air samplers which actively sample the air in the operation theater using a vacuum. The number of colonies on the agar plate after 48 hours of incubation are an indicator of the sterility of air in the operation theater
Results are available in 48-72 hours
It can measure both the bacteria and fungi

Testing of Autoclaves

Testing of autoclaves needs to be done using biological indicators every week
This is to check if the autoclave is working at the right temperature and pressure to achieve sterilization of the various items used in the hospital or nursing homes
The biological indicators will be provided to the respective hospitals
Reports are available in 3 days

WATER STERILITY TEST

It tests for bacteria present in water in order to check its potability
Water in operation theater, ICU, hospitals and dialysis water can be also tested for the presence of bacteria
Membrane filtration technique is used

For any further information, please email Dr. Shweta Naik at shweta.naik@suburbandiagnostics.com

To book a test, please click here