Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Thomas H Schulte

James D Mansour

Klaus W Berndt

Burton H Sage

James P Mapes

Stewart R Jurgensen

Vernon R Neece

The present invention describes a method and apparatus for detecting microorganisms in a large number of blood culture vials using more than one microorganism detection principle for each vial. Two of such possible detection means includes the use of a fluorescent carbon dioxide sensor and scattered photon migration. The apparatus performs a logic linkage of the results of all the detection principles applied. Therefore, an enhanced recovery and an improved accuracy in detecting microorganisms is achieved.

Method and apparatus for detecting microorganisms

An assay for Chlamydia includes contacting Chlamydia organisms in a liquid with a solid support having an antispecies Fe antibody immobilized thereon and an anti-Chlamydia capture antibody. After binding of Chlamydia antigen to the capture antibody and binding of the capture antibody to the antispecies antibody on the support, a tracer including a label conjugated to a signal antibody is added. After binding of the signal antibody to the antigen, the presence of Chlamydia organisms in the liquid is detected by a signal associated with the label thereby bound to the support. The invention includes a kit of materials for performing an assay according to the method of the invention.

Layered sandwich assay method for chlamydia and materials therefor

A method for assay for an unknown enzyme suspected to be present in a liquid includes signal amplification by use of a second enzyme and a blocked modulator for the second enzyme. Unknown enzyme in the liquid removes a blocking group from the blocked modulator. The resulting modulator activates or inhibits the second enzyme which catalyzes an indicator reaction in which a substrate is converted to a product. The presence or absence of the unknown enzyme in the liquid is indicated by a signal, such as a color change or a rate of color change, associated with the indicator reaction. The concentration of the enzyme in the sample may be determined by the measurement of the signal. The invention includes a kit of materials useful for performing the method of the invention. The method involves the hydrolyzing of a blocked fluoroketone inhibitor to facilitate the analytical method.

Signal enhancement in assay for an enzyme

A method for the detection of microorganisms e.g. bacteria in a blood sample comprises staining the microorganisms with a fluorescent dye and observing the fluorescence emission of an expanded buffy coat. The expanded buffy coat is obtained by centrifuging the stained sample in a hematocrit tube containing a float which occupies most of the buffy coat volume. The expanded buffy coat further separates into sub-layers. Intracellular microorganisms congregate in and are detected in the granulocyte sub-layer. The method may be modified to assess phagocytic activity.

Detection of bacteria by fluorescent staining in an expanded buffy coat

A method for rapid detection of microorganisms in a body fluid sample includes detecting the microorganisms after treatment of the sample with a lysing agent in order to dissolve sample components other than microorganisms, and staining with a fluorescent dye. The lysing agent may be part of a composition which includes a culture medium thereby providing simultaneous lysis and growth before staining. Detection is preferably accomplished by reliance on the fluorescence emitted by the dye having been properly excited by light energy. A composition suitable for use in the above-described method includes a growth medium and a lysing agent.

Composition and method for rapid detection of microorganisms in clinical

A method for the assessment of bacteriuria and pyuria includes the simultaneous detection and quantitation of microorganisms, leukocytes and squamous epithelial cells in a urine specimen. The three cell types are stained with a fluorescent dye, and the urine specimen is analyzed directly, preferably by a single flow microfluorometry protocol.

Detection and quantitation of microorganisms, leukocytes and squamous

A method for detection of intracellular bacteria in a blood sample by staining with ethidium bromide and observing microscopically using fluorescence is provided. The bacteria stain rapidly and selectively and are detectable in complex mixtures. The bacteria may be in whole blood or may optionally be partially isolated or purified before staining.

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Cary, NC, United States of America

Thomas H Schulte