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


Validated
Assay Code See Below
Description Legionella is a pathogenic group of gram negative bacterium. It thrives in central heating and air conditioning systems. Legionella pneumophila is the primary human pathogenic bacterium and is the causative agent of legionellosis or Legionnaires disease. Legionella pneumophila invades and replicates in macrophages. Patients with Legionnaires disease usually have pneumonia, fever, chills, and a cough, which may be dry or may produce sputum. Some patients also have muscle aches, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, loss of coordination (ataxia), and occasionally diarrhoea and vomiting. Confusion and impaired cognition and low normal heart rate may also occur. Test may reveal the patient's renal functions, liver functions and electrolytes are deranged, including hyponatremia. It is not transmitted from person to person. It is transmitted by inhalation of aerosolized water and/or soil contaminated with the bacteria.

Legionella longbeachae causes Pontiac fever. Pontiac fever is an acute, non-fatal respiratory disease that causes a mild upper respiratory infection. Symptoms can include fever, headaches and muscle aches but unlike Legionnaires' disease Pontiac Fever does not cause pneumonia. Like other Legionella species, person-to-person transmission has not been documented. However, unlike other species the primary transmission mode is inhalation of dust from contaminated compost or soil that contains the organism causing legionellosis.

Pathogens Tested
  • HPL-034 : Legionella pneumophila (This assay includes the detection of Legionella species and subtype Legionella pneumophila.)
  • HPL-035 : Legionella Species (This assay includes the detection of Legionella species. This Assay can detect Legionella pneumophila, L. adelaidensis, L. anisa, L. birminghamensis, L. bozemanii , L. brunensis, L. cherii , L. cincinnatiensis, L. dumoffii, L. erythra , L. feelei, L. gormanii, L. gratiana, L. hackeliae, L.israelensis, L. jamestownensis, L. jordanis, L. lansingensis, L. longbeachae, L. maceachernii , L. micdadei , L. moravica, L. oakridgensis paucimobilis , L. parisiensis, L. quinlivanii, L. rubrilucens, L. sainthelensis, L. spiritensis, L. steigerwaltii , L. taurinensis, L. tucsonensis, L. wadsworthii)

Method Real-Time PCR.
Sample Type
Water, Swab / Secretion (Respiratory), Culture.
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C.
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 HPL-036
Description Leptospirosis is a transmissible disease of animals and humans caused by infection with any of the pathogenic members of the genus Leptospira. It is considered the most common zoonosis in the world and is associated with rodents in settings of poor sanitation, agricultural occupations, and increasingly "adventure" sports or races involving fresh water, mud, or soil exposure. Humans can become infected through: Contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals. Contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals. The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection. Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to contaminated water, such as floodwaters. Person to person transmission is rare.

Method Real-Time PCR
Sample Type
EDTA blood, Swab / Secretion (Organ), Tissue(Biopsy), Culture.
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C.
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


Validated
Assay Code See Below
Description Legionella is a pathogenic group of gram negative bacterium. It thrives in central heating and air conditioning systems. Legionella pneumophila is the primary human pathogenic bacterium and is the causative agent of legionellosis or Legionnaires disease. Legionella pneumophila invades and replicates in macrophages. Patients with Legionnaires disease usually have pneumonia, fever, chills, and a cough, which may be dry or may produce sputum. Some patients also have muscle aches, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, loss of coordination (ataxia), and occasionally diarrhoea and vomiting. Confusion and impaired cognition and low normal heart rate may also occur. Test may reveal the patient's renal functions, liver functions and electrolytes are deranged, including hyponatremia. It is not transmitted from person to person. It is transmitted by inhalation of aerosolized water and/or soil contaminated with the bacteria.

Legionella longbeachae causes Pontiac fever. Pontiac fever is an acute, non-fatal respiratory disease that causes a mild upper respiratory infection. Symptoms can include fever, headaches and muscle aches but unlike Legionnaires' disease Pontiac Fever does not cause pneumonia. Like other Legionella species, person-to-person transmission has not been documented. However, unlike other species the primary transmission mode is inhalation of dust from contaminated compost or soil that contains the organism causing legionellosis.

Pathogens Tested
  • HPL-034 : Legionella pneumophila (This assay includes the detection of Legionella species and subtype Legionella pneumophila.)
  • HPL-035 : Legionella Species (This assay includes the detection of Legionella species. This Assay can detect Legionella pneumophila, L. adelaidensis, L. anisa, L. birminghamensis, L. bozemanii , L. brunensis, L. cherii , L. cincinnatiensis, L. dumoffii, L. erythra , L. feelei, L. gormanii, L. gratiana, L. hackeliae, L.israelensis, L. jamestownensis, L. jordanis, L. lansingensis, L. longbeachae, L. maceachernii , L. micdadei , L. moravica, L. oakridgensis paucimobilis , L. parisiensis, L. quinlivanii, L. rubrilucens, L. sainthelensis, L. spiritensis, L. steigerwaltii , L. taurinensis, L. tucsonensis, L. wadsworthii)

Method Real-Time PCR.
Sample Type
Water, Swab / Secretion (Respiratory), Culture.
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C.
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 HPL-036
Description Leptospirosis is a transmissible disease of animals and humans caused by infection with any of the pathogenic members of the genus Leptospira. It is considered the most common zoonosis in the world and is associated with rodents in settings of poor sanitation, agricultural occupations, and increasingly "adventure" sports or races involving fresh water, mud, or soil exposure. Humans can become infected through: Contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals. Contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals. The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection. Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to contaminated water, such as floodwaters. Person to person transmission is rare.

Method Real-Time PCR
Sample Type
EDTA blood, Swab / Secretion (Organ), Tissue(Biopsy), Culture.
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C.
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