TYPES OF SOLID SUPPORT FOR BINDING DNA

The types of solid support for binding DNA are as follows: 1. Silica Matrix Silica Matrix is a solid support for binding DNA. DNA binds to silica in the presence of high concentrations of chaotropic salts (e.g., guanidium HCL), but protein does not. Salts can be removed with an alcohol-based wash and DNA eluted in […]

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Molecular Microbiology, , , ,

What are ESBLs?

ESBLs (extended spectrum beta-lactamases) are enzymes that mediate resistance to extended-spectrum (third generation) cephalosporins (e.g., ceftazidime, cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone) and monobactams (e.g., aztreonam) but do not affect cephamycins (e.g., cefoxitin and cefotetan) or carbapenems (e.g., meropenem or imipenem). Why should hospital laboratories and hospitals be concerned about detecting ESBL-producing bacteria? The presence of an ESBL-producing

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Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Antibiotic Resistance / Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), , ,

What is a stem cell?

A stem cell is a cell with the unique ability to develop into specialised cell types in the body. In the future they may be used to replace cells and tissues that have been damaged or lost due to disease. Figure 1 is an illustration showing a stem cell giving rise to more stem cells or specialised

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Cell Culture Notes, Immunology & Immune System, , , , , ,

WHO Global Principles for the Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance in Animals Intended for Food

Purpose: To minimize the negative public health impact of the use of antimicrobial agents in food-producing animals whilst at the same time providing for their safe and effective use in veterinary medicine. General 1. National governments should adopt a proactive approach to reduce the need for antimicrobials in animals and their contribution to antimicrobial resistance

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Antibiotic Resistance / Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Pharmaceutical Microbiology, ,

DIAGNOSTIC VIRUS ASSAYS

Diagnostic methods accurately identify viral infections in patients. This is a prerequisite to control and limit virus propagation through an effective clinical management of the disease. A precise identification of the ongoing or past viral infection helps to achieve the following: Failure in diagnosis can lead to significant human and financial loss. This is why it

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Virology, , , , , , , , , ,

ECHINOCOCCOSIS(HYDATIDOSIS, OR HYDATID DISEASE)

BIOLOGY AND CAUSATIVE AGENTS OF ECHINOCOCOCCUS Human echinococcosis (hydatidosis, or hydatid disease) is caused by the larval stages of cestodes (tapeworms) of the genus Echinococcus. Echinococcus granulosus (sensu lato) causes cystic echinococcosis and is the form most frequently encountered. Another species, E. multilocularis, causes alveolar echinococcosis, and is becoming increasingly more common. Two exclusively New

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Public Health & Parasitic Diseases (Parasitology), , , ,

Differences between Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) & Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Laboratory Testing Regulations

People are often confused by differences between Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations as they relate to laboratory testing. This is understandable, since both GLPs and GMPs cover lab testing but are very different. In addition, scientists and quality control/quality assurance personnel participating in GLP and GMP studies play different roles. GLP

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Pharmaceutical Microbiology, , , ,

CEFTAZIDIME-IMIPENEM ANTAGONISM TEST (CIAT)

Ceftazidime-imipenem antagonism test (CIAT) is one of the phenotypic confirmation tests that can be used to phenotypically confirm AmpC enzyme production in test bacteria isolates that showed reduced susceptibility or resistance to any of the tested antibiotics used in the screening test for AmpC enzyme production screening. Therefore, AmpC enzyme production in the test organisms

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Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Techniques in Microbiology Lab, , ,

Botulism – a public health menace

Key facts Foodborne botulism is a serious, potentially fatal disease. However, it is relatively rare. It is an intoxication usually caused by ingestion of potent neurotoxins, the botulinum toxins, formed in contaminated foods. Person to person transmission of botulism does not occur. Spores produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum are heat-resistant and exist widely in the environment,

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Bacteriology, Food Microbiology, Public Health & Parasitic Diseases (Parasitology), , , , , ,

Core Epidemiologic Functions

In the mid-1980s, five major tasks of epidemiology in public health practice were identified. These major tasks of epidemiology in public health practice include: 1. Public health surveillance, 2. Field investigation, 3. Analytic studies, 4. Evaluation, and 5. Linkages. A sixth task is policy development, which was recently added as a major task of epidemiology

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Epidemiology, , , , , , ,