Database provides enhanced microbial identification and characterisation of filamentous fungi and yeasts for veterinary laboratories
The MicroLog Filamentous Fungi And Yeast database (for use with the MicroStation system available in the UK, Germany and Australia from Oxoid) further enhances the microbial identification capabilities of veterinary laboratories. Complementing the existing databases for Aerobic Bacteria (Gram positive and Gram negative) and Anaerobic Bacteria, the Filamentous Fungi and Yeast database allows accurate and reproducible identification and characterisation of many fungal species that are important in veterinary medicine.
By simplifying and improving the identification and characterisation of filamentous fungi and yeasts, the MicroStation system provides results significantly faster than traditional methods (in days rather than weeks).
The database also includes a comprehensive library of microscopic and macroscopic digital photographs that can be reviewed automatically, allowing verification of identifications with morphological criteria.
MicroStation's microbial identification technology is based on patented carbon-source utilisation 'fingerprinting'.
Following isolation on solid media (and, for bacterial cultures, Gram staining to determine the testing protocol) the organism is introduced to a wide variety of pre-selected carbon sources in the 96-well MicroPlate.
Incubation for 4 hours or less then produces a characteristic biochemical pattern called a metabolic fingerprint.
An accurate identification of the organism is then obtained by comparison with stored fingerprints for over 2000 species in the MicroLog databases.
The quality of microbial identifications that can be obtained using the MicroStation would normally involve a large panel of labour-intensive tests and in the past may only have been performed in large reference laboratories.
The semi-automated MicroStation system has eliminated these time consuming steps, allowing all sizes of veterinary laboratories to perform more rapid identifications and characterisations.
The software also allows users to create and update their own customised database of organism reaction patterns, allowing them even greater identification capabilities.
