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    Microbiology Tests - Suburban Diagnostics

    SubUrban Icon 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


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