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Bacteriology - general
	Does store bought H2O2 (i.e grocery store) work just as accurately as Microbiology Test Suppliers H2O2 when performing the catalase test on a Staph or Strep? (answered 06/15/2007)
	what is enteric gram negetive? and can u give me the best site for this? (answered 04/20/2007)
	Is there an optimal time/temperature for fixing gram stain slides on a slide warmer? (answered 02/05/2007)
	What is the purpose of charcoal in a medium used to identify Legionella? (answered 01/16/2007)
	We are having a debate regarding reporting of gram-stain morphology. The ID physicians feel that morphology is very important. They want to see "gram-positive cocci in clusters or chains or pairs". The lab personnel contend that they do not want to make a mistake and would rather report "gram-positive cocci or rods, etc. The same for gram-negative organisms. What is the current opinion? (answered 11/21/2006)
	what is the definition of a Gram variable and a Gram non-reactive bacterium? (answered 11/14/2006)
	What is the difference between the pour plate method and the spread plate method for doing plate counts? Is one better that the other? (answered 01/17/2006)
	CAN YOU DO A GRAM STAIN ON SYNOVIAL FLUID FROM A LITHIUM HEPARIN TUBE? (answered 01/31/2006)
	I have searched the archives and elsewhere and didn't locate much about EDTA.I understand a culture should not be performed from an EDTA tube,but what about a Gram stain? If it is OK for blood parasites, does it also preserve the morphology of bacteria? Thank you. (answered 11/30/2005)
	If an automated id card does not accurately identify a QC orgainism, what are the rules governing this in terms of repeating the ID with QC orgainsm?Are they same as susceptibility panels, 5 days, 20 days, 30 days? (answered 11/23/2005)
	How do you confirm a gram stain result? If our result is gram variable what could we do to confirm if it is gram positive or gram negative? (answered 11/22/2005)
	We are having a debate regarding reporting of gram-stain morphology. The ID physicians feel that morphology is very important. They want to see "gram-positive cocci in clusters or chains or pairs". The lab personnel contend that they do not want to make a mistake and would rather report "gram-positive cocci or rods, etc. The same for gram-negative organisms. What is the current opinion? (answered 11/21/2006)
	I am looking for a reference for semi quantitation in bacteriology. I have someone asking for low, med, high. (answered 10/27/2005)
	Can "sterile " body fluids be placed only in the Bactec Myco F Lytic bottle bottles for culture or do thay also need to placed on solid media ? I notice that the CAP standards say that 2 types of media must be used for acid fast cultures; however , I have also read that blood culture bottles are superior to solid media for isolating AFB when thay are present in small numbers. (answered 10/27/2005)
	When performing cytospin for Gram Stain on CSF is it necessary to report RBC's? If the fluid is visibly bloody is it accectable practice to dilute the CSF with sterile water in order to lyse the RBC's and enhance the visualization or WBC's and organisms? Are there good references available addressing cytospin Gram Stains on CSF? (answered 10/25/2005)
	The NCCLS rapid identification document and the ASM Handbook refer to odor as an element in the identification process of certain isolates (fruity odor for P. aeruginosa; bleach odor for Eikenella). Is it appropriate to include odor as a criteria in a clinical laboratory SOP? (answered 10/04/2005)
	where can i find a comprehensive list of all bacterial species which can cause a clinical infection with gas-formation in the infected tissue? (answered 10/03/2005)
	Is there a Gram Stain tutorial availbale on CD? I would lije to use this for training new hirees. (answered 09/26/2006)
	What does the BAA stands for in ATCC strain BAA-976 and 977? (answered 09/26/2005)
	what are the different methods of streaking where to use what/ secondly advantages of each of them? (answered 09/20/2006)
	In a recent CAP inspection, my micro department received a strong recommendation to "come out of the dark ages" and use a CO2 incubator instead of candle jars with N. gonorrhoeae as an indicator of sufficient CO2. Do you think that the use of candle jars in a small lab is insufficient? Secondly, how do I go about finding an incubator to use? Do CO2 incubators need an indicator for relative humidity or how do you monitor moisture levels? Do micro incubators have to have plumbing connected? What about regulators? Do they expire? I have tried asking my vendor rep some of these questions and she doesn't know. She quoted a CO2 gas regulator that has a 3-month shelf life. I did not know that they expire. My nightmare would be to order the wrong incubator and be left with an expensive white elephant on my hands. Before going to the trouble and expense of purchasing an incubator, I would like to know that it is truly necessary and how to make an informed decision. Please help!!! Thanks in advance. (answered 09/20/2005)
	why do bacteria looses their antigenic determinants during contineous sub culturing? (answered 09/15/2005)
	I have a private laboratory in monrovia liberia and would like to be involved in culture and sensitivity testing. What is the best way to begin after getting all the basic materials? (answered 09/11/2006)
	national standards are there any that address what organisms should/or should not be reported on different culture types ? our drs. are concerned that if normal flora organisms are reported on cultures there will be unnecessary treatment given. they feel that micro techs should made judgement decisions on organisms isolated as to what is important and what is not . we feeluncomfortable because we don'y know what the patient's symptoms are ,and feel if the dr ordered the culture he wants to know what's there. what do you think? (answered 08/24/2006)
	have recently embarked on a study to determine the bacteriological rpofile of street foods in pune, india. i have isolated pseudomonas on atleast two occasions from two different food samples. waht is the significance of pseudo in food samples? could it be a pathogen? (answered 08/22/2005)
	What is the easiest way to keep up with CDC, IDSA, CLSI, and APHL recommendations? Do they have a list like CAP checklist? I can't even find CDC recommendations in their official web site! I'm interested in specimen rejection criteria for microbiology testings, reporting of AST results (all for clinical micro lab) and so on. I just went to a general meeting sunrise symposium (002/C), but we ran out of time and the speaker couldn't go over how-to-keep-up part. Thank you! (answered 08/08/2005)
	Can we correlate the white cells found in a body fluid gram stain with the cell count done by a hematology instrument? For example, is there are way to translate what "Few WBC" on gram stain in terms of actual cell counts numbers. We called "Few WBC" on a fluid that had a cell count of 260. What's few, moderate, many in terms of gram stain and what values should we expect on a cell count? (answered 08/06/2005)
	Which broth do I use to reconstitute a lyophilized vial of an ATCC strain 27618 of Ureaplasma urealyticum? After inoculating to growth medium, how can I maintain viability and which medium (? 30% glycerol) do I use to store frozen at -80 ? (answered 07/14/2005)
	why it is prefered to do VDRL rather than RPR for CSF OF syphilis sample? (answered 07/12/2005)
	On the preliminary report of a positive bacteriology culture how should the report read?: "Many gram negative rods" or "Many gram negative rods; further identification and susceptibility testing in progress"? (answered 07/11/2005)
	Incubators-which is better water jacketed or air jacketed. Routine bacteriology use in hospital lab (answered 07/06/2005)
	What is the difference between the microimmunofluorescence assay for chlamydia trachomatis and the indirect fluorescent antibody assay? Are commercial test kits such as the C. trachomatis IgG IFA by Hemagen Diagnostics comparable to the microimmunofluorescence assay? (answered 07/05/2005)
	What is the best way to keep in deep freez the Legionella spp. strains which we isolate from environmental samples? Dr Emmanuel N. Velonakis, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece (answered 07/01/2005)
	Can whole blood be used to confirm Treponema pallidum under darkfield microscopy? (answered 06/13/2005)
	I need the reference or guideline of susceptibility test for Rickettsiae. The request is from the infectious disease doctors. They use the antibiotics treatment without any susceptibility data currently. Any suggestion? (answered 02/11/2005)
	Markedly elevated WBC's were seen on a synovial (knee) fluid, but no organisms were seen. What could be the cause of the elevated WBC's? Possibly an infection at another body site? (answered 02/04/2005)
	I have a question about new names for clinical pathogens. I realize the new inovations in the field of genetic microbiology is allowing more specific classification of microrganisms and consequent renaming. However, I am having difficulty keeping up with the new nomenclature. I am interested in a resource that can update a clinician like myself on the new names of common clinical pathogens, specifically bacterial pathogens. This question came up when recently I had a patient diagnosed with pneumocystis carinii pneumonia but the pathogen was actually refered to as pneumocystis jeruvanii. A resource or site to reference when this occurs again would be very helpful. Does something like that exist? If not, can you compile a short list for me (I know that's alot to ask)? Thanks for your help. (answered 01/31/2005)
	For which culture types is Thio broth currently recommended to be inoculated along with its solid media? Also, do you currently recommend using GN Broth for stool cultures? (answered 12/23/2004)
	Recognizing organisms must be present in quantities between 10,000-100,000/ml (or gram of tissue) to be seen on a gram stain, are there any peer studies that indicate a correlation or percentage of agreement between Gram stain and final culture results? I am talking of corelation for wound &/or sterile body fluids (sites)? (answered 12/23/2004)
	Why we should put some drops of paraffine in the surface of the lysine decarboxylase (LDC) medium after the inocculation with bacteria? (answered 11/29/2004)
	Where can I find a good teaching tool for gram stain quantitation and reporting? (answered 11/23/2004)
	Can the spot indole test be performed on isolates grown on the CLED plate (answered 11/01/2004)
	i'm trying to find a flow chart for identification of gram positive and gram negative bacterias. can you send me those flow charts? (answered 10/27/2004)
	How do you confirm a gram stain result? If our result is gram variable what could we do to confirm if it is gram positive or gram negative? (answered 10/08/2004)
	Our 2nd and 3rd shift staff (all generalists)read stat gram stains on sputums, blood cultures, wounds, etc. and add a comment"Gram stain to be reviewed by Microbiology". Is it necessary to send the reviewed gram stain as a corrected report when our findings differ from their result? For example, on a sputum if the initial result is GPC and the reviewed slide is resulted as "Mixed flora consistent with oral flora" we don't say "corected report" but on sterile sources such as blood cultures if the initial report is Gram positive cocci and Gram negative cocci, the reviewed slide is resulted as "Gram positive cocci in clusters" we send a corrected report w/ the comment that the previous report of GNC was in error. Thanks for your advice. (answered 10/04/2004)
	where can I find a listing for descriptions/pictures of the macroscopic appearance of bacterial colonies on growth media (appearance, color, texture)? (answered 10/03/2004)
	I am looking for references for media pH for clinical bacteriology. (answered 10/01/2004)
	I am looking for feedback on the Phoenix automated susceptibility instrument. If this is your susceptibility instrument, what is your opinion, good or bad.... Does anyone have a working interface whether in test or live? (answered 09/26/2004)
	Two questions: 1. what is the best way to identify an autolytic strep pneumo? (2) I have read that Coryne jekeium is resistant to penicillin and ceftriaxone but susceptible to vancomycin. Is susceptibility testing using e-test strips an acceptable way to aid identi-fication of this organism? Should values as high >32 for penicillin & ceftriaxone be expected? (answered 09/08/2004)
	what type water should the micro lab use for reconstituting reagents?We currently use sterile water(used for patients irrigation) (answered 08/31/2004)
	At a New Orleans ASM sunrise session in on CSF and Respiratory given by Drs. Schreckenberger and Barenfanger, one slide for sterile fluids other than CSF stated that it is required by law to note on a report if a swab is submitted. Where can I find a copy of that law? Thank you. (answered 08/20/2004)
	When freezing QC organisms in a cryopreservative at -70C, how long can they be stored before they need to be replaced and does the storage time also depend on the storage medium used as well as the type of organism? (answered 08/19/2004)
	IS THERE A CD AVAILABLE WITH COMPETENCY SLIDES FOR GRAM STAINS, AND OTHE MICRO TESTING ETC? (answered 08/16/2004)
	I have been trying to find references to set guidelines for quantitating cultures from primary inoculations; specifically, what qualifies as rare number, few number, moderate, and large (heavy) growth? If you could also provides a reference, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you very much for your help! (answered 07/06/2004)
	Is testing a tick for B.burgdorferi by PCR useful in a clinical setting? (answered 05/19/2004)
	Could bacteria become resistant to their specific phages if they are grown on a selective media for too long? (answered 05/18/2004)
	Is there any gold standard for streak patterns on agar media, such as a Four Quadrant Streak or the standard streak pattern for Urine specimens. The examples and drawings that we have found in Microbiology texts are all slightly different in areas such as how may streaks to make in each quadrant, how many times to cross the previous quadrant etc. Any text references as backup would be appreciated. (answered 05/17/2004)
	What is the overall clinical utility of using a DFA for detection of Legionella when we have other options including molecular testing and EIA assays? (answered 05/17/2004)
	we perform dialysate and dialysis water cultures for the kidney dialysis center. Last year we were cited for reporting "no growth" on any culture that did not grow. we changed our procedure to the CDC guidelines on dialysis cultures that report "<2000 cfu /ml. This year another inspector did not like that we did not report no growth, or quantitate organisms that are <2000 cfu/ml. What is the exact guidelines? Do I alter my procedure for each inspector? (answered 05/11/2004)
	I called Difco and they suggested I ask your group. A new person in our media room is making our LB + Carbanicillin + IPTG + X gal plates. The plates look fine when they are given to us. They are then stored inverted in the bag at 4oC. The problem is when they are taken out to use, as they warm up, small slits appear in the agar. The top of the agar is still smooth, but it looks like someone took a weedwacker to the inside. Their are no apparent crystals. The agar is put into the plates by a machine. The top of the plates are flamed if any bubbles are seen. Any suggestions? (answered 05/04/2004)
	1.Should mineral oil be used on working slants or cultures to preserve them at refrigerator temperature? 2. What are some references on preserving cultures at refrigerator temp storage. 3. How many times should ATCC cultures be subcultured and is the rehydration of these cultures considered to be the 1st passage or the 1st subculturing? (answered 04/22/2004)
	What is the difference between a quantitative ELISA and a semi-quantitative ELISA? thank you (answered 04/22/2004)
	Where can I find a list of bacteria and the odors associated with them? (answered 04/20/2004)
	HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF COLONY FORMING UNITS IN A 105 SOLUTION (answered 04/06/2004)
	need a listing or database of gram negative and gram positive disease causing bacteria (answered 03/21/2004)
	how is bacteria named - specifically borrelia burgdorferi, neisseria gonorrhoeae, streptococcus pyogenes (answered 02/12/2004)
	I am looking into purchasing a bright field microscope 40X-1600X. Do you have any recommendations? (answered 02/10/2004)
	previous names for listeria (answered 11/17/2003)
	Can lactate levels be used to determine sepsis? (answered 11/03/2003)
	I run a new hospital Micro lab and we are trying to establish a policy regarding the frequency of specimen processing for C & S. What are the current recommendations regarding the frequency of acceptance of routine specimens (urine, wounds, respiratory, stool, etc) from the same site on the same patient? At my previous institution, we would not accept a routine same site/same patient specimen if one was currently received and in progress within the last 48 hours. (Please include any references cited.)  (answered 10/30/2003)
	Give me an explanation on molecular taxonomy, please. (answered 10/23/2003)
	How do you identify Gram positive bacteria? (answered 10/22/2003)
	Are there any standards about the bacterial count in O.T. air? How often the swab testing should be carried out? (answered 10/20/2003)
	How to recognize pathogenic bacteria in sites with normal flora? (answered 10/17/2003)
	can you give me a reference for interpreting the difference in 0, 1+, 2+, 3+, 4+ gram positive cocci from a knee aspirate? what does 3+ or 4+ mean? (answered 08/08/2003)
	In Quantitative Bacteriology why do we use 590 nm for spectrophotometric readings? (answered 08/05/2003)
	What is the ratio of Chlamydia elementary bodies to IFU (inclusion forming unit)? (answered 08/05/2003)
	We need the definition of what a "biotype" is. What characteristics and traits are used to define a biotype? Is there a standardized classification for biotypes? (answered 08/05/2003)
	We are trying to implement Nugent technique for Gram stain semars from vaginal discharge. The original reference is not available to us. I would like to know how many oil fields should be observed to assigne a score to each of the morphotypes? (answered 07/08/2003)
	What is the most effective method(s) for culturing the agent that causes cat scratch disease? (answered 06/24/2003)
	Are there accepted or preferred times that work product should be retained? We are interested in how long isolates should be saved. (answered 05/29/2003)
	What should be the Turn Around Times for tests offered in microbiology? For example Gram stains, Prelim. reports, susceptiblity tests, and so forth. (answered 05/23/2003)
	We are trying to update our protocol for performing environmental cultures. We occasionally get water samples and swabs from tanks in our lab. What is to proper way to report the results - for instance we just mention whether there is gram pos or gram neg cocci or rods and that is it. Should we go futher to give a genius or species? And should different sources have different incubation requirements? (answered 04/21/2003)
	Abbreviated ID of Bacteria (M35-A): The PYR test for E. coli is stated to be pyrrolidonyl arylamidase, and I am unsure of the QC needed for this test. I did not review every reference for E. coli in the M35-A document, but JCM, Sept 2000, (Mary York as one author) lists PYR obtained from Remel in the Materials and Methods. What is the appropriate commercially prepared reagent to use and how do you document QC when doing PYR for E. coli abbreviated ID? The PYR test is not defined in the Appendix.Test Procedures either. Thanks (answered 04/17/2003)
	What is the best way to culture for bartonella from tissue biopsy? (answered 03/26/2003)
	We are a pharmaceutical company. We have been using the traditional biochemical methods to detect microorganisms, but it is very time consuming. We can only know the results a few days later. In order to speed up the testing, we are looking for a rapid detection system. So far, I only saw the system for total count (e.g. MicroStar from Millipore using the ATP bioluminence technique), but i was unable to find a system that can also tell which type of organisms present in the sample other than do a total count. Any suggestion? Plus, if thre is any system out there, can they meet regulatory requirements?  (answered 03/04/2003)
	Mycoplasma and prostatitis:true infection or colonization? (answered 03/03/2003)
	I have attempted in the past few years to discontinue the Bacterial Meningitis Sceening test in my laboratory. We have resistance from physicians, esp. pediatricians and ER. I have copies of several articles from the late 90's. My laboratory director is now asking if there is more recent information available. Can you tell me if there are more recent studies and information available concerning this test? Is there any data available as to how many labs still perform this test? What is your opinion of this test? We have never had a positive CSF that was not detected on Gram smear. (answered 02/28/2003)
	What are the current recommendations for testing duplicate specimens in a 24 hour period? (answered 02/21/2003)
	Do mycoplasmas cause genital infections in women? (answered 02/21/2003)
	I was reading an answer given on reporting H. influenzae and Beta strep on Group A strep cultures. We only offer routilne throat cultures, not specific Group A Strep screens. I was wondering if reporting out ONLY Grp A or beta strep not Grp A would apply for us as well. We have physicians who feel Group C can also cause pharyngitis. (answered 02/19/2003)
	What do you feel is the future for identification and susceptibility testing in the microbiology laboratory? Will the automated systems (ie. microscan) still be around in the next 10 years? or will other technology supplant them? (answered 02/14/2003)
	What is the best method for the isolation of Legionella pneumophilia from sputum and BAL? (answered 01/29/2003)
	Is it necessary to distinguish mononuclear cells from polymorphonuclear cells in all sites when performing a gram stain? What is the clinical significance of making this distinction? Thanks. (answered 01/16/2003)
	Is it appropriate to incubate MacConkey plates in CO2 for wound and respiratory cultures? I have heard that it does something to the lactose fermentation. (answered 12/12/2002)
	I am interested in an article regarding the rising incidence of atypical respiratory tract infections (Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae). (answered 11/18/2002)
	Chlamydia Taxonomy In preparing a presentation on antibody assays for Chlamydiae infection, the issue arose regarding recent changes to the taxonomy and nomenclature for Chlamyda spp. We went with C. psittaci, C. pneumoniae, and C trachomatis. Is this correct / current? (answered 10/02/2002)
	What is the method most labs use to isolate mycoplasma spp.? (answered 08/16/2002)

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