Molecular Methods in Clinical Microbiology (by LabCE)

1.5 P.A.C.E. contact hour(s)

(based on 451 customer ratings)

Author: Cathy Dragoni, MT(ASCP)SM
Reviewers: Dawn Morong, BS, MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA); Michele Marshall, MT(ASCP)

Course provided by LabCE.

This course offers a historical look at the progression of molecular methods used in the clinical laboratory. The advantages of these molecular methods over traditional microbiology are discussed, along with the requirements and challenges faced during implementation in a routine clinical setting. Basic methods and molecular techniques are described, including the principle reactions of some assays of current interest for infectious diseases.

See more courses in: Microbiology

Included In These Course Packages

Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1.5 hour(s)
Course number 578-003-19, approved through 2/28/2021
Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - General (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology): 1.5 hour(s)
Course number 20-704996, approved through 9/1/2020

Objectives

  • Describe some of the history of molecular methods and their introduction into the routine diagnostic laboratory.
  • Describe some of the advantages of molecular methods over traditional microbiology.
  • Describe the requirements and some of the challenges of implementing molecular methods in the setting of a routine clinical microbiology laboratory.
  • Describe the principles of the basic methods of molecular techniques.
  • Describe some of the assays of current interest for infectious disease and their principles of reaction.

Customer Ratings

(based on 451 customer ratings)

Course Outline

  • Some History of Development
      • Prior to 1985
      • Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae
      • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Mycobacterium
      • Hepatitis and Viral Load Testing
  • Potential Benefits of Molecular Methods over Traditional Microbiology
      • The Key Benefits: Improved Sensitivity of Detection
      • The Key Benefits: Improved Sensitivity of Detection, continued
      • The Key Benefits: Specificity of Identification
      • The Key Benefits: Reduced Turnaround Time
  • Challenges for Implementing Molecular Microbiology
      • Challenges for Implementation: Space Requirements
      • Challenges for Implementation: Separation of Key Activities
      • Challenges for Implementation: Workflow Requirements
      • Challenges for Implementation: Required Work Skills
      • Challenges for Implementation: Cost
  • Definitions and Principles of Basic Methods
      • Categories of Methods
      • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
      • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
      • Detection and Identification of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Products
      • Detection and Identification of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Products: Advantages of Real-Time PCR
  • Assays of Interest for Infectious Disease: Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)
      • Identification of Staphylococcus aureus with Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA)-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)
      • Detection and Identification of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
      • Development of Assays
      • Molecular Versus Culture - Pros and Cons
      • Current and Future Prospects
  • Assays of Interest for Infectious Disease: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses
      • Prior Traditional Methods and the Need for Change
      • Introduction of Molecular Methods
      • 2009 - Swine Flu
      • Improvements for Influenza Testing
  • Assays of Interest for Infectious Disease: Clostridium difficile
      • Clinical Significance
      • Previous Methodologies: Culture and Cell Cytotoxicity Neutralization Assay (CCNA)
      • Previous Methodologies: Antigenic Detection of Toxin and Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH)
      • Molecular Methods
      • BD GeneOhm™
      • illumigene®
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of instruction: Intermediate 
 
Intended audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical technologists, and technicians, working in the microbiology section of the laboratory. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science students and pathology residents.
 
Author information: Catherine Dragoni, MT(ASCP)SM received her BS degree in medical technology from the State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse. She began her career as a bench microbiologist at Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine. Currently she is the Assistant Chief Technologist of Microbiology and Molecular Pathology at NorDx Laboratories, Scarborough, Maine.
 
Reviewer information: Dawn Morong, BS, MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA) received her BS degree from the University of New England, Biddeford, Maine. She is currently a Senior Medical Technologist at NorDx Laboratories in Scarborough, Maine.
 
Michele Marshall, MT(ASCP) received her BS degree in Medical Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY after performing a one year internship at Region’s (St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center) Hospital in St. Paul, MN.  Michele worked for many years as a generalist before making the transition to her real passion in microbiology. Currently, she is the Laboratory Coordinator and the Microbiology Lead Technologist at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, Maine.
 
Course description: This course offers a historical look at the progression of molecular methods used in the clinical laboratory. The advantages of these molecular methods over traditional microbiology are discussed, along with the requirements and challenges faced during implementation in a routine clinical setting. Basic methods and molecular techniques are described, including the principle reactions of some assays of current interest for infectious diseases.

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Course provided by LabCE.
CDC PCR diagnostic testkit Accessed on 11-31-09 from: http://www.cdc.gov/H1n1flu/images.htm


Derivative melting curve


PCR Reaction


PNA FISH probes


Real-time PCR Stages


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