Genie II

"Real-time HRM-PCR is a relatively simple molecular biology-based method enabling the rapid detection of C. difficile genes directly in stool samples. The use of real-time HRM-PCR for the detection of CDT subunit genes is characterized by high specificity and NPV and moderate sensitivity along with PPV. In order to standardize the interpretation criteria, measurements should always be performed in one type of thermal cycler. The diagnostic evaluation parameters of the real-time HRM-PCR technique demonstrate significant potential for the usefulness of this method as a standard microbiological procedure for the identification of hypervirulent C. difficile strains; however, the method still requires optimization or expansion to other toxin genes."

The study demonstrates that Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) is a superior tool for identifying Clostridioides difficile transmission routes at UHC Zagreb. By uncovering several genetic clusters, particularly in the COVID-19 ward, the research highlights how WGS can pinpoint intra-hospital spread and support more effective local and national infection surveillance.

In summary, this study highlights the severe threat of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii in southwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina, where all 61 isolates belonged to the resilient IC II lineage and exhibited total carbapenem resistance. The molecular identification of OXA-23 and OXA-72 oxacillinases, alongside evidence of the pathogen's ability to survive on laboratory coats for up to 90 days, emphasizes the critical role of contaminated textiles in hospital transmission. These findings serve as a vital call for more rigorous infection control and enhanced molecular surveillance to combat the spread of these high-risk clones in clinical environments.

This study reveals a 13.15% prevalence of CHG tolerance among S. aureus strains in Israel, demonstrating a significant link between phenotypic resistance and the presence of qac A/B genes. The findings indicate that CHG-tolerant strains are more common in invasive blood infections and show a strong association with methicillin resistance. Consequently, these results highlight the growing challenge of antiseptic tolerance and the need for targeted research into risk factors to maintain effective infection control.

The study confirms the alarming emergence of colistin resistance among multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Poland. While many isolates exhibited high resistance levels and co-produced beta-lactamases, the absence of the mcr-1 gene suggests chromosomal rather than plasmid-mediated resistance. These findings emphasize the critical need for reliable susceptibility testing to guide treatment for these increasingly difficult-to-treat infections.

"Algorithms based on MALDI-TOF MS, LFIAs and molecular testing may represent a cost-effective tool to timely identify Gram-negative species and detect resistance markers directly from BCs. According to local epidemiology, these results may allow antimicrobial stewardship interventions including prompt use of new approved drugs."

"In conclusion, we found K. pneumoniae isolates carrying KPC mutated enzymes conferring phenotypes resembling ESBLs which cannot be detected as KPC producers by the phenotypic methods most frequently used in the routine clinical laboratories. Additionally, the emergence of these novel KPC enzymes in the ST307-K. pneumoniae high-risk clone could lead to an increase in the epidemiological success of this lineage in the hospital setting. This finding should be a cause of great concern for public health."

"Although Raoultella spp. strains remain sensitive to antibiotics, there is a constant need to monitor the sensitivity of these bacteria to selected antimicrobials. Isolation of a multi-drug resistant R. ornithinolytica strain indicates that even the less frequently isolated species of Enterobacteriaceae family should be precisely identified because they might be of clinical importance and the particular strain can also produce enzymes that pose the greatest threat today."

The combined use of the eazyplex® Superbug CRE and hvKp assays offers a rapid and reliable diagnostic solution for identifying carbapenemase-producing, hypervirulent K. pneumoniae. With a total turnaround time of under 30 minutes and results confirmed by whole-genome sequencing, this system enables high-speed surveillance of high-risk isolates. Despite the hvKp assay’s current RUO status, it proves to be a practical, low-workload tool for the timely detection of emerging "superbug" strains in clinical settings.

"The Eazyplex® SuperBug CRE assay can be a useful tool for a rapid and reliable identification of resistance mechanism genes in Gram-negative rods, and also directly from urine and pre-cultured blood samples."

"We compared PneumID PCR with Amplex eazyplex LAMP assay for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). Both assays enable accurate diagnosis of definite PJP. Cut-off cycle threshold of the PneumID assay was < 26.68 while the cut-off time-to-positivity of the eazyplex assay was 16:02 (minutes:seconds). The positive and negative percentage agreement of eazyplex assay with PneumID assay was 75.0% and 100.0% respectively, while the overall agreement was substantial with kappa = 0.80. For both assays, establishment of cut-off values to differentiate probable PJP from colonization was not feasible as results overlapped."

"We here describe the successful use of two commercial diagnostic tests, Xpert Carba-R and Eazyplex® SuperBug CRE, to detect bacterial carbapenem resistance genes directly in lower respiratory tract samples. Our results could be used as proof-of-concept data for validation of these tests for this indication."

"In conclusion, both rapid molecular assays are useful tools for the diagnosis of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in high-priority patients. Figure 1 summarizes a diagnostic workflow that could be proposed when both assays are combined for rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of the patient’s symptoms. An initial screening using Liat® rules out infection if the test result is negative. Positive Liat® results are tested via eazyplex®. A positive eazyplex® result confirms that the patient is infected and infectious, and does not require further testing via RT-PCR. Their ease of use and short turnaround time allows both assays to be performed directly in the emergency department or in a satellite laboratory in the field; only specimens with a positive Liat result and a negative eazyplex® result need to be retested via RT-PCR."

"The commercial Eazyplex® LAMP assay can provide a result in 25 min and its sensitivity is similar to the sensitivity of the IF technique."

"With good to very good sensitivity depending on the sampling site and pathogen as well as very good specificity overall the eazyplex platform is a useful rapid diagnostic method for POC bacterial STI-testing especially for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis, allowing for almost immediate treatment initiation."

"OXA-like enzymes were the most prevalent carbapenemases amongst A. baumannii isolates, but could not be precisely and easily determined with the application of phenotypic methods. In contrast, only phenotypic methods allowed the determination of the actual in vitro hydrolysis of an antibiotic. However, their sensitivity may be lower due to a decreased enzyme synthesis level. The CPO panels presented the ability to evaluate the susceptibility of the strains to several antimicrobial agents simultaneously in one panel as routine procedure and, additionally, to detect carbapenemases types at the same time. In turn, molecular methods allowed for the determination of a specific gene encoding CHDLs and presented the highest sensitivity and specificity for that particular purpose. In summary, the compared methods are applicable for the detection of CHDLs, but require an experienced investigator to obtain an appropriate read out of the results (e.g., CarbAcineto NP test). However, the sensitivity of the investigated methods may be lower and the carbapenemases assignation may be less reliable when compared to molecular biology-based methods."

"This large retrospective evaluation of the EP in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis (i) confirmed the strong performance of the panel, of particular interest in cases of antibiotic intake before lumbar puncture, (ii) underlined the significant impact of CSF protein concentration and WBC counts in LAMP inhibition, (iii) demonstrated the need for systematic biological expertise of the amplification curves, and (iv) observed the limitation of the panel for E. coli detection. Multiplex syndromic panels are easy to use and valuable additional tests to improve the timeliness of pathogen identification. However, this work underscores the fact that informed expertise on such automated approaches remains essential."

The Eazyplex® Candida auris LAMP kit provides a rapid and reliable alternative to traditional culture methods, delivering results in just 30 minutes. With high specificity (98.8%) and strong predictive values, it facilitates immediate clinical decision-making. Its speed and ease of use make it an essential tool for the fast detection of colonized patients and the effective prevention of hospital outbreaks.

"In conclusion, this study shows that eazyplex® Candida ID is a rapid molecular BC assay that can be easily implemented in routine diagnostic workflows. Whether this assay is valuable for optimising patient management depends on the antimicrobial stewardship programme."

"In conclusion, the eazyplex® BloodScreen GN is a simple diagnostic tool for rapid BC testing. Because of the high accuracy in the identification of species and CTX-M genes, results can be used for a timely escalation of empiric therapy when indicated."

"In summary, our study demonstrated that the eazyplex® SuperBug AmpC isothermal amplification assay is a reliable tool for detection of the most common pAmpC types CMY and DHA from bacterial isolates. The results are available within only 20 min. This assay will probably be most useful in diagnostic routine for pAmpC confirmation in Enterobacterales such as Klebsiella spp. or Proteus spp., and for distinguishing between pAmpC and chromosomally encoded AmpC in E. coli."