Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease最新文献

{"title":"Direct detection of unamplified DNA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis using modified gold nanoparticles","authors":"Mahrokh Rajaee Behbahani ,&nbsp;Naghmeh Sattarahmady ,&nbsp;Reza Khashei ,&nbsp;Mohammad Motamedifar","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117338","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117338","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Tuberculosis (TB), caused by <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> (<em>M. tuberculosis</em>, MTB), remains a significant global health threat, especially in resource-limited settings. The absence of rapid, affordable, and clinically useful diagnostic methods poses a significant obstacle to global TB elimination efforts. Standard diagnostic methods are either time-consuming or dependent on sophisticated laboratory infrastructure.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>This study developed and optimized a novel gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based colorimetric biosensor for the direct, amplification-free detection of <em>M. tuberculosis</em> using a thiolate DNA probe targeting the <em>IS6110</em> sequence<strong>. A key innovation was a simple freeze-thaw lysis protocol that generated crude DNA lysates directly from clinical respiratory samples, thereby eliminating the need for commercial DNA extraction kits.</strong> Sixty clinical specimens were analyzed using both PCR-amplified DNA and direct crude extracts. Detection was based on acid-induced AuNP aggregation, producing a visible color change within 15 minutes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The biosensor achieved a detection limit (LOD) of 0.031 ng µL^-1 of genomic DNA. The method showed 100 % diagnostic sensitivity (95 % CI: [91.2 %-100 %]) and 100 % specificity (95 % CI: [83.2 %-100 %]), entirely consistent with the results from gold standard techniques like culture and GeneXpert. Crucially, the assay successfully identified all forty confirmed positive samples, including smear-negative cases.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>By overcoming the main limitations of existing methods, this study presents a rapid, accurate, and amplification-free approach for tuberculosis. This platform has the potential to transform screening and tuberculosis disease control due to its simplicity, affordability, and minimal equipment requirements, making it an effective point-of-care diagnostic tool, particularly in high-risk, low-resource settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"115 3","pages":"Article 117338"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147387753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the usefulness of antibody index values from treponemal immunoassays to reduce confirmatory syphilis testing in the reverse algorithm","authors":"Mayur Shukla ,&nbsp;Kiantra Butler ,&nbsp;Kevin Pettus ,&nbsp;Katherine Herrell ,&nbsp;Phoebe Thorpe ,&nbsp;Jaeyoung Hong ,&nbsp;Arlene C. Seña ,&nbsp;Weiping Medlin","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117355","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117355","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We assessed utility of antibody index values from treponemal immunoassays against confirmatory tests following reverse syphilis algorithm. We tested sera collected from a population at increased risk and established thresholds for treponemal immunoassays. High concordance with confirmatory tests was observed, indicating potential use of assay specific threshold to reduce testing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"115 3","pages":"Article 117355"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147372278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to \"Management of Finegoldia magna-Associated Non-Puerperal Breast Abscess in an Adolescent Integration of Surgical Source Control and Targeted Antimicrobial Therapy\" [Diagnostic Microbiology & Infectious Disease 116 (2026) 117422].","authors":"Lala Sha, Fei Hua, Wanqing Tu, Xiaohong Xie, Leilai Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117444","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117444","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":" ","pages":"117444"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147834952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Construction of a superspectrum for rapid identification of opportunistic human pathogens belonging to the genus Phytobacter using whole-cell MALDI-TOF MS","authors":"Alana Mazzetti ,&nbsp;Helena R.S. D’Espindula ,&nbsp;Debora O. Kulek ,&nbsp;Karen L. Jones ,&nbsp;Leticia Kraft ,&nbsp;Theo H.M. Smits ,&nbsp;Fabio Rezzonico ,&nbsp;Marcelo T. Mira ,&nbsp;Marcelo Pillonetto","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117275","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117275","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Members of the genus <em>Phytobacter</em>, part of the <em>Enterobacteriaceae</em>, represent an emerging clinical threat. Standard identification methodologies often fail to accurately identify members of this genus because they are absent from current clinical databases. Molecular techniques are thus pivotal for differentiating <em>Phytobacter</em> from similar genera such as <em>Pantoea, Kluyvera</em>, and <em>Kosakonia</em>. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) provides a rapid, reliable, and cost-effective method for identification.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A <em>Phytobacter</em>-specific SuperSpectrum was constructed from 18 well-characterized isolates using standardized culture conditions, protein extraction, and triplicate MALDI-TOF MS acquisition. Only conserved, high-quality peaks were retained in the final model. Its performance was evaluated using 282 retrospective isolates and 23 prospective <em>Phytobacter</em>-suspect isolates. All <em>Phytobacte</em>r identifications, along with 154 non-<em>Phytobacter</em> identifications, were benchmarked against API 20E biochemical testing, VITEK-2 automated identification, MALDI-TOF MS current database for <em>in vitro</em> diagnostic analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Spectral clustering showed consistent separation of <em>Phytobacter</em> at the genus level. Integration of the new SuperSpectrum into the MALDI-TOF MS SARAMIS database enabled accurate identification, leading to the identification of two retrospective <em>Phytobacter</em> out of 282 <em>Enterobacterales</em> isolates. Finally, prospective testing of 23 contemporary isolates suspected to belong to <em>Phytobacter</em> confirmed their identification against the new reference spectra, achieving 100% concordance with WGS identification, demonstrating the reliability of the updated database for genus-level identification.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><em>Phytobacter</em> identification by MALDI-TOF MS provides a rapid alternative method for molecular identification of this emerging pathogen.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"115 1","pages":"Article 117275"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Successful treatment with oseltamivir of an atypical influenza B-associated encephalitis identified by mNGS: A case report","authors":"Bolin Tang ,&nbsp;Ling Lin ,&nbsp;Wushuang Li ,&nbsp;Zhen Li ,&nbsp;Jiangman Zhao ,&nbsp;Wenjing Zhao ,&nbsp;Chaoyang Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117286","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117286","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This case report describes a 51-year-old female with influenza B-associated encephalitis (IBAE) presenting primarily with insomnia, headache, and dizziness, but without fever, following an initial cough. Routine microbiological tests (cultures, staining, multiplex PCR) on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and initial brain/chest CT scans were negative. Diagnosis was confirmed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) detecting influenza B virus in the CSF. Treatment involved oral oseltamivir and fluid replacement for headache/intracranial pressure. Symptoms significantly improved after eight days of oseltamivir, leading to discharge. This case highlights sleep disturbances and headache as primary IBAE symptoms without fever. Routine CSF testing often fails to detect influenza B; early mNGS enables definitive diagnosis, allowing precise, timely treatment (like oseltamivir) and avoiding ineffective empiric therapy or disease worsening.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"115 1","pages":"Article 117286"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparing school term and holiday seasonal respiratory virus detection rates in hospitalised children, 2019–2024","authors":"Keita Wagatsuma ,&nbsp;Paul W Bird ,&nbsp;Reiko Saito ,&nbsp;Julian W Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117295","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117295","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We analysed laboratory-confirmed seasonal respiratory virus infections among hospitalised children in Leicester, UK (2019–2024), comparing nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)-positive/negative test counts and test positivity between school term and holiday periods. Analyses were stratified by age group (pre-school, &lt;5 years; primary school, 5-11 years; comprehensive school, 12-18 years) and by pre-, during-, and post-COVID-19 phases. Across multiple viruses, hospital-based detection and test positivity were generally lower during school holidays than during terms, with the clearest differences observed in children aged &lt;5 years. These findings indicate that the school calendar is associated with hospital-based paediatric respiratory virus detection patterns.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"115 1","pages":"Article 117295"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parasitological and molecular identification and subtype-specific clinical correlates of Blastocystis sp. in HIV-positive patients: Diagnostic and epidemiological insights from Northwest Iran","authors":"Morteza Gholinejad ,&nbsp;Rasool Jafari ,&nbsp;Arash Aminpour","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117266","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117266","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div><em>Blastocystis sp</em>. is a commonly detected intestinal protozoan in immunocompromised individuals, including people living with HIV, yet its clinical relevance remains uncertain. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, molecular subtypes, and clinical associations of <em>Blastocystis sp</em>. infection among HIV-positive patients in Northwest Iran.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In a cross-sectional study, stool samples from 70 HIV-positive patients referred to the Urmia Central Health Centre (2022–2023) were examined using direct microscopy, formalin–ether concentration, and culture. Molecular detection and subtyping were performed via PCR amplification and sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Associations between infection, gastrointestinal symptoms, and CD4⁺ T-cell counts were statistically analysed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div><em>Blastocystis sp</em>. was identified in 25 (35.7%) of the 70 patients by microscopy and culture. PCR amplification succeeded in 23 (92%) of these 25 isolates. Sequencing revealed three subtypes: ST3 (52.2%), ST2 (30.4%), and ST1 (17.4%). Infection was significantly associated with gastrointestinal manifestations (p &lt; 0.001). Mean CD4⁺ T-cell counts were markedly lower in Blastocystis-positive patients than in uninfected individuals, with the lowest values observed in those infected with ST1 (187.3 ± 156.2 cells/µL).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study demonstrates a considerable prevalence of <em>Blastocystis sp</em>. among HIV-positive patients in Northwest Iran and a significant association between infection and gastrointestinal symptoms. Reduced CD4⁺ counts may increase susceptibility to Blastocystis infection. Routine laboratory detection of <em>Blastocystis sp</em>. in HIV-infected populations may improve understanding of its clinical relevance in immunocompromised patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"115 1","pages":"Article 117266"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Over-testing Galactomannan in patients with hematological malignancies: A retrospective analysis from a tertiary care university hospital in Türkiye","authors":"Ilkay Bozkurt","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117284","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117284","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the Galactomannan (GM) correlation with radiologic findings, treatment decisions and financial impact of over-testing. In this cohort, GM testing yielded a low diagnostic return, requiring 53 tests to obtain one positive result and 103 tests to identify a probable invasive aspergillosis (IA) case, generating a considerable avoidable financial burden. These findings highlight the need to rationalize GM utilization and align testing with IA risk to reduce hospital costs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"115 1","pages":"Article 117284"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Discovery of parasite proteins in the urine of vivax malaria patients through mass spectrometry","authors":"Himani Tripathi ,&nbsp;Prajna Parimita Kar ,&nbsp;Araveti Prasanna Babu ,&nbsp;Anand Srivastava ,&nbsp;Geeta Pachori ,&nbsp;Tarun Kumar Bhatt","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117281","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117281","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Malaria is an infectious disease that severely affects people worldwide. The detection of its causative organism, <em>Plasmodium</em>, is mainly based on microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, and rapid diagnostic tests, all relying on blood samples. Obtaining blood samples causes pain, poses a risk of infections, and leads to poor compliance in cases of repeated sampling. This highlights the need for non-invasive diagnostic alternatives. Several studies have explored the potential use of non-blood samples, such as saliva, urine, stool, and skin to detect <em>Plasmodium</em>. Urine accumulates changes from the body and thus is an appropriate source for biomarker discovery. A biomarker is a measurable change in the body that is associated with a disease or condition. In this study, the urine samples of <em>Plasmodium vivax</em> infected patients were analyzed through mass spectrometry. A comparison of the infected and control samples revealed several proteins present in one group but absent in the other, with some proteins showing altered levels. A total of 252 human proteins were found in the infected samples only. Gene ontology analysis and functional annotation revealed that these proteins are involved in key biological pathways and processes in both the human host and the parasite, and their presence in urine samples could aid in a deeper understanding of malaria biology. Twenty-eight <em>P. vivax</em> proteins were found in the mass spectrometric analysis of urine samples, including rifin-like protein, single-stranded DNA-binding protein, and profilin. These might serve as potential biomarkers for the non-invasive detection of <em>Plasmodium</em> infection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"115 1","pages":"Article 117281"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146046303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strongyloides stercoralis in type 2 diabetes mellitus: discordant stool and serologic findings in an endemic Brazilian population","authors":"Jefferson Elias-Oliveira ,&nbsp;Émelin Alves dos Santos ,&nbsp;Laura Vilela Souza ,&nbsp;Bruna Campos da Silva ,&nbsp;Márcia Carolina Mazzaro ,&nbsp;Joao Batista Alves de Souza ,&nbsp;Ivanildes Solange da Costa Barcelos ,&nbsp;Rosângela Maria Rodrigues","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117269","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117269","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Strongyloides stercoralis</em> is a neglected soil-transmitted helminth capable of causing hyperinfection and disseminated disease in immunocompromised hosts. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is associated with immune dysfunction and may increase susceptibility to strongyloidiasis, although data in diabetic populations remain limited. In endemic areas, discrepancies between stool-based and serologic tests may impair accurate diagnosis. We conducted a cross-sectional study in an endemic area of Central Brazil including 80 adults with T2D and 80 non-diabetic controls. Three stool samples per participant were examined by spontaneous sedimentation (Lutz), Rugai, and agar plate culture. Serum IgG anti-Strongyloides antibodies were detected by ELISA using an alkaline extract of Strongyloides venezuelensis larvae, and ELISA-reactive samples were confirmed by immunoblotting. Intestinal parasites or commensal protozoa were identified in 37.5 % of T2D patients and 32.5 % of controls, with no significant difference. Stool positivity for S. stercoralis was low in both groups (1.2 % in T2D vs 7.5 % in controls). Conversely, IgG ELISA seropositivity was significantly higher among T2D patients (31.2 %) than in controls (16.2 %; p = 0.0122). Among ELISA-reactive samples, immunoblot confirmation was obtained in 60 % of T2D patients and 69 % of controls. These results reveal a clear discordance between parasitologic and serologic findings, particularly in T2D patients, who exhibited increased serologic evidence of <em>S. stercoralis</em> infection despite minimal stool-based detection. In this endemic setting, the combination of ELISA followed by immunoblotting emerges as a valuable complementary strategy for diagnosing strongyloidiasis, especially in individuals with T2D who may present altered immune responses and lower sensitivity to stool-based methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"114 4","pages":"Article 117269"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}