Molecular Biology & Genomics Centre

Pathogen Identification


Molecular based methods have advanced the centre testing to faster and better diagnostics. PCR methods, microarray and next generation sequencing have provided speed and high level of accuracy. Molecular biology based methods are sensitive and quick to detect microbial pathogens in various clinical specimens. We offer molecular detection of pathogenic viruses, bacteria and parasites from clinical specimens. MBG is ISO 15189 accredited and benefits from a stand-alone containment Level 3 facility where samples for highly contagious pathogen are received and processed.


All Bacteria Virus Fungi Parasite


Accredited
Assay Code HPM-020
Description Coronaviruses are positive-stranded RNA viruses causing mainly respiratory and enteric disease in a range of animals and in humans. Four different human coronaviruses (hCoV) circulate at a global population level. These cause the common cold. The fifth important hCoV is SARS-CoV, which appeared for a limited time period during 2002 and 2003. It caused an outbreak affecting at least 8,000 people. During September 2012, health authorities were notified of several cases of severe hCoV infection caused by a novel virus type hCoV-EMC. The strain was redefined by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses into Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus MERS-CoV since it was first reported in Saudi Arabia.
MERS-CoV is a beta coronavirus. Most people infected with MERS-CoV developed severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. MERS-CoV has been shown to spread between people who are in close contact.

Method Real-Time RT-PCR
Sample Type
Accredited : Swab / Secretion (Respiratory).
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C.
Specimens must be sent in RNA Preservative media. Contact MBG Lab for specimen tubes containing RNA preservative if required.
Turn Around Time (TAT) TAT for routine samples is within 3 working days. Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day (unless urgent).
Urgent Samples will be reported within 24-48 hours and will be charged double.

Links

Validated
Assay Code See Below
Description Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease, caused by Monkeypox virus which is recognized as the most important orthopoxvirus infecton after the eradication of smallpox.
Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus.
Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name Monkeypox. The first human case of Monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox
Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease that can occur in both humans and some other animals. Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pains, shivering, backache, and feeling extremely tired. Typically there are swollen lymph nodes behind the ear, below the jaw, in the neck or in the groin. This is followed by a rash that forms blisters and crusts over; most frequently in the mouth, on the face, hands and feet, genitals and eyes. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is on average 12 days; though ranges from five to 21 days. The duration of symptoms is typically two to four weeks. Cases may be severe, especially in children, pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems.

Method HPM-215: PCR & Sequencing.
HPM-216: Real-Time PCR.


Sample Type
Tissue (Skin lesions), Swabs/Secretions(Abscess/lesions)
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C and delivered within 24 hours.
Turn Around Time (TAT) TAT for routine samples is within 3 working days. Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day (unless urgent).
Urgent Samples will be reported within 24-48 hours and will be charged double.

Links




Molecular Biology & Genomics Centre

Pathogen Identification


Molecular based methods have advanced the centre testing to faster and better diagnostics. PCR methods, microarray and next generation sequencing have provided speed and high level of accuracy. Molecular biology based methods are sensitive and quick to detect microbial pathogens in various clinical specimens. We offer molecular detection of pathogenic viruses, bacteria and parasites from clinical specimens. MBG is ISO 15189 accredited and benefits from a stand-alone containment Level 3 facility where samples for highly contagious pathogen are received and processed.


All Bacteria Virus Fungi Parasite


Accredited
Assay Code HPM-020
Description Coronaviruses are positive-stranded RNA viruses causing mainly respiratory and enteric disease in a range of animals and in humans. Four different human coronaviruses (hCoV) circulate at a global population level. These cause the common cold. The fifth important hCoV is SARS-CoV, which appeared for a limited time period during 2002 and 2003. It caused an outbreak affecting at least 8,000 people. During September 2012, health authorities were notified of several cases of severe hCoV infection caused by a novel virus type hCoV-EMC. The strain was redefined by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses into Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus MERS-CoV since it was first reported in Saudi Arabia.
MERS-CoV is a beta coronavirus. Most people infected with MERS-CoV developed severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. MERS-CoV has been shown to spread between people who are in close contact.

Method Real-Time RT-PCR
Sample Type
Accredited : Swab / Secretion (Respiratory).
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C.
Specimens must be sent in RNA Preservative media. Contact MBG Lab for specimen tubes containing RNA preservative if required.
Turn Around Time (TAT) TAT for routine samples is within 3 working days. Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day (unless urgent).
Urgent Samples will be reported within 24-48 hours and will be charged double.

Links

Validated
Assay Code See Below
Description Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease, caused by Monkeypox virus which is recognized as the most important orthopoxvirus infecton after the eradication of smallpox.
Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus.
Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name Monkeypox. The first human case of Monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox
Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease that can occur in both humans and some other animals. Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pains, shivering, backache, and feeling extremely tired. Typically there are swollen lymph nodes behind the ear, below the jaw, in the neck or in the groin. This is followed by a rash that forms blisters and crusts over; most frequently in the mouth, on the face, hands and feet, genitals and eyes. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is on average 12 days; though ranges from five to 21 days. The duration of symptoms is typically two to four weeks. Cases may be severe, especially in children, pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems.

Method HPM-215: PCR & Sequencing.
HPM-216: Real-Time PCR.


Sample Type
Tissue (Skin lesions), Swabs/Secretions(Abscess/lesions)
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C and delivered within 24 hours.
Turn Around Time (TAT) TAT for routine samples is within 3 working days. Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day (unless urgent).
Urgent Samples will be reported within 24-48 hours and will be charged double.

Links