Method and Apparatus for Identification of Microorganisms Using Bacteriophage
AssigneeMicroPhage Incorporated
InventorsG. Scott Gaisford, John H. Wheeler, Jon C. Rees, Scott D. Conlin
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Abstract
A sample is tested for the presence of bacteria, such as in an automatic blood culturing apparatus. If bacteria are determined to be present, a bacteriophage-based bacteria identification process is performed to identify the bacteria present. A plurality of bacteria detection processes, such as a blood culture test and Gram stain test may be carried out prior to the bacteria identification process. A bacteriophage-based antibiotic resistance test or antibiotic susceptibility test is also conducted on the sample.
Claims28
A method of identifying a microorganism present in a sample, said method comprising:
- (a) performing a test on said sample capable of detecting the presence of a microorganism in said sample without identifying said microorganism;
- (b) if said performing does not detect the presence of a microorganism, declaring a negative result;
- and
- (c) if said performing detects the presence of a microorganism in said sample, identifying the microorganism present in said sample using a phage-based microorganism identification process.
A method of identifying a microorganism present in a sample, said method comprising:
- (a) performing a test on said sample capable of detecting the presence of a microorganism in said sample without identifying said microorganism;
- and
- (b) while said performing is being done, identifying the microorganism present in said sample using a phage-based microorganism identification process.
A method of identifying a bacterium present in a sample of blood, said method comprising:
- (a) combining said sample of blood and a nutrient medium suitable for the growth of bacteria;
- (b) inserting said combined sample in an automatic blood culturing apparatus to determine if bacteria are present in said blood sample;
- and
- (c) if bacteria are determined to be present in said automatic blood culturing apparatus, performing a phage-based microorganism identification process on said combined sample to identify the bacteria present in said blood.
A method of identifying a bacterium present in a sample of blood, said method comprising:
- (a) combining at least a first part said sample of blood and a nutrient medium suitable for the growth of bacteria to produce a bacteria growth sample;
- (b) inserting at least a first portion of said bacterial growth sample in an automatic blood culturing apparatus to determine if bacteria are present in said blood sample;
- and
- (c) while said blood culturing apparatus is determining if bacteria are present in said blood sample, performing a phage-based microorganism identification process to identify any bacteria present in said blood.
A method of determining if a microorganism present in a sample is resistant to or susceptible to an antibiotic, said method comprising:
- (a) performing a test on said sample capable of detecting the presence of a microorganism in said sample without identifying said microorganism;
- (b) if said performing does not detect the presence of a microorganism, declaring a negative result;
- and
- (c) if said performing detects the presence of a microorganism in said sample, determining if said microorganism is resistant to or susceptible to an antibiotic using a phage-based antibiotic resistance or susceptibility process.
A method of determining if a microorganism present in a sample is resistant to or susceptible to an antibiotic, said method comprising:
- (a) performing a test on said sample capable of detecting the presence of a microorganism in said sample without identifying said microorganism;
- and
- (b) while said performing is being done, determining if said microorganism is resistant to or susceptible to an antibiotic using a phage-based antibiotic resistance or susceptibility process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.