Evaluation of a Fully Automated Research Prototype for the Immediate Identification of Microorganisms from Positive Blood Cultures under Clinical Conditions.
A clinical laboratory evaluation of an intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy (IFS)-based identification system paired to a BacT/Alert Virtuo microbial detection system (bioMérieux, Inc., Durham, NC) was performed to assess the potential for fully automated identification of positive blood cultures. The prototype IFS system incorporates a novel method combining a simple microbial purification procedure with rapid in situ identification via spectroscopy. Results were available within 15 min of a bottle signaling positive and required no manual intervention. Among cultures positive for organisms contained within the database and producing acceptable spectra, 75 of 88 (85.2%) and 79 of 88 (89.8%) were correctly identified to the species and genus level, respectively. These results are similar to the performance of existing rapid methods.


OBJECTIVE
A fully automated research platform was developed to identify microbial growth from positive blood cultures in <15 min. Because of the automated format, results can be generated during all shifts, with or without staffing, which in turn could promote more timely administration of target antimicrobial therapy.
bioMérieux Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Jay M
JM
Hyman
bioMérieux Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA.
John D
JD
Walsh
bioMérieux Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Christopher
C
Ronsick
bioMérieux Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Mark
M
Wilson
Department of Pathology, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Kevin C
KC
Hazen
bioMérieux Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Larisa
L
Borzhemskaya
bioMérieux Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA.
John
J
Link
bioMérieux Inc., Hazelwood, Missouri, USA.
Bradford
B
Clay
bioMérieux Inc., Hazelwood, Missouri, USA.
Michael
M
Ullery
bioMérieux Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Mirta
M
Sanchez-Illan
bioMérieux Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Steven
S
Rothenberg
bioMérieux Inc., Hazelwood, Missouri, USA.
Ron
R
Robinson
bioMérieux SA, La Balme les Grottes, France.
Alex
A
van Belkum
bioMérieux Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA william.dunne@biomerieux.com.
W Michael
WM
Dunne
D001331:Automation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000071997:Blood Culture / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*