A5006255142- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis and Management
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Hepatitis C virus research
- Actinomycetales infections and treatment
- Infectious Diseases and Mycology
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- Gut microbiota and health
- Neonatal and Maternal Infections
- Preterm Birth and Chorioamnionitis
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Pelvic floor disorders treatments
- Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Studies
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
Barts Health NHS Trust
2021-2025
National Health Service
2014-2025
University College London
2012-2024
Royal London Hospital
2021-2024
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
2014-2023
Great Ormond Street Hospital
2011-2023
Government of the United Kingdom
2023
University of Maryland, Baltimore
2020-2023
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
2023
Queen Mary University of London
2022
Long-term severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in immunodeficient patients are an important source of variation for the virus but understudied. Many case studies have been published which describe one or a small number long-term infected individuals no study has combined these sequences into cohesive dataset. This work aims to rectify this and genomics patient group through combination literature searches as well identifying new series directly from...
The aim of the present study was to develop a broad-range PCR based on bacterial 16S rDNA for use in routine diagnostic clinical microbiology service. optimization and validation assay specimens from normally sterile sites is described, preliminary results are reported diagnosis infection 382 paediatric over 2-year period. These compared those obtained by standard culture techniques show increased when both used together; provided sole evidence pathogenic 71 cases. Key stages development...
Infection is considered a possible trigger for preterm labour, supported by evidence showing the presence of bacteria in placenta and placental membranes from births. In this study, 16S rDNA pyrosequencing was used to identify membranes. Caesarean sections vaginal deliveries at term were found harbour common genera. Mycoplasma hominis, Aerococcus christensenii, Gardnerella vaginalis Fusobacterium nucleatum either only present or greater abundance than term. These data support previous...
Preterm birth is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Bacterial infection the subsequent inflammatory response are recognised as an important preterm birth. It hypothesised that these organisms ascend cervical canal, colonise placental tissues, chorioamnionitis in severe cases infect amniotic fluid foetus. However, presence bacteria within intrauterine cavity does not always precede or Whereas previous studies observing types present have been limited size specificity...
Background. Mycobacterium abscessus has emerged as a major pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and been associated with poor clinical outcomes, particularly following lung transplant. We investigated the acquisition of this bacterium cohort pediatric CF patients. Methods. Demographic patient location data were used to uncover epidemiological links between genetically related strains M. that had previously typed by variable-number tandem repeat profiling. Whole-genome sequencing was...
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a threat to public health. Clinical microbiology laboratories typically rely on culturing bacteria for antimicrobial-susceptibility testing (AST). As the implementation costs and technical barriers fall, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has emerged as ‘one-stop’ test epidemiological predictive AST results. Few published comparisons exist myriad analytical pipelines used predicting AMR. To address this, we performed an inter-laboratory study providing sets of...
Summary Genomic surveillance has become a useful tool for better understanding virus pathogenicity, origin and spread. Obtaining accurately assembled, complete viral genomes directly from clinical samples is still challenging. Here, we describe three protocols using unique primer set designed to recover long reads of SARS-CoV-2 total RNA extracted samples. This protocol useful, accessible adaptable laboratories with varying resources access distinct sequencing methods: Nanopore, Illumina...
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA quantities, measured by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), have been proposed to stratify clinical risk or determine analytical performance targets. We investigated reproducibility and how setting diagnostic cutoffs altered the sensitivity of disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing.Quantitative SARS-CoV-2 distributions [quantification cycle (Cq) copies/mL] from more than 6000 patients 3 laboratories in United Kingdom,...
Background Intrauterine infection may play a role in preterm delivery due to spontaneous labor (PTL) and prolonged rupture of membranes (PPROM). Because bacteria previously associated with are often difficult culture, molecular biology approach was used identify bacterial DNA placenta fetal membranes. Methodology/Principal findings We broad-range 16S rDNA PCR species-specific, real-time assays amplify from placenta. 74 women were recruited the following groups: PPROM <32 weeks (n = 26; 11...
The bacterial community found in the vagina is an important determinant of a woman's health and disease status. A healthy vaginal microbiota associated with low species richness high proportion one number different Lactobacillus spp. When disrupted, resulting abnormal states poor pregnancy outcomes. Studies up until now have concentrated on relatively small numbers American European populations that may not capture full complexity or adequately predict what constitutes all populations. In...
Abstract Background Mycobacterium abscessus is an extensively drug–resistant pathogen that causes pulmonary disease, particularly in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Identifying direct patient-to-patient transmission of M. critically important directing infection control policy for the management risk CF A variety clinical labs have used molecular epidemiology to investigate transmission. However, there still conflicting evidence as how acquired and whether cross-transmission occurs. Recently,...
A large proportion of neonates are treated for presumed bacterial sepsis with broad spectrum antibiotics even though their blood cultures subsequently show no growth. This study aimed to investigate PCR-based methods identify pathogens not detected by conventional culture.Whole samples 208 suspected early onset were tested using a panel multiplexed PCRs targeting Streptococcus pneumoniae, agalactiae (GBS), Staphylococcus aureus, pyogenes (GAS), Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus faecalis,...
Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, the principal diagnostic method applied in world-wide struggle against COVID-19, is capable of detecting a single molecule viral genome. Correctly designed and practiced RT-PCR assays for SARS-CoV-2 should not cross react with similar but distinct pathogens, such as coronaviruses associated common cold, perform very high analytical sensitivity. This performance predicated on ability to detect presence selected nucleic acid target, without detection false...
BackgroundHaematopoietic stem cells expressing the CD34 surface marker have been posited as a niche for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacilli during latent infection. Our aim was to determine whether M DNA is detectable in CD34-positive peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMCs) isolated from asymptomatic adults living setting with high burden.MethodsWe did cross-sectional study Ethiopia between Nov 22, 2017, and Jan 10, 2019. Digital PCR (dPCR) used PBMCs 100 mL taken HIV infection or...
Vascular calcification (VC) is concomitant with atherosclerosis, yet it remains uncertain why rupture-prone high-risk plaques do not typically show extensive calcification. Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) deposits erythrocyte-derived cholesterol, enlarging the necrotic core and promoting plaque development. Pro-atherogenic CD163+ alternative macrophages engulf hemoglobin:haptoglobin (HH) complexes at IPH sites. However, their role in VC has never been examined to our knowledge. Here we show,...
Forty-one Mycobacterium abscessus complex isolates from 17 pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients were typed using a novel variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) scheme and an automated repetitive-PCR (rep-PCR) system. Both VNTR rep-PCR typing methods differentiate between members of the M. complex. The individual are indistinguishable, data strongly suggest that CF persistently infected with one strain also suggests different can harbor same strain.
Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is the third leading cause of child mortality. Preclinical studies suggest infection and inflammation can sensitise or precondition newborn brain to injury. This study examined perinatal risks factor for NE in Uganda.Unmatched case-control study.Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.210 term infants with 409 unaffected as controls were recruited over 13 months. Data collected on preconception, antepartum intrapartum exposures. Blood culture,...
Infective endocarditis (IE) can be diagnosed in the clinical microbiology laboratory by culturing explanted heart valve material. We present a service evaluation that examines sensitivity and specificity of broad-range 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detection causative microbe culture-proven culture-negative cases IE. A case-note review was performed 151 patients, from eight UK Ireland hospitals, whose endocardial specimens were referred to Microbiology Laboratory at...
Background In neonatal encephalopathy (NE), infectious co-morbidity is difficult to diagnose accurately, but may increase the vulnerability of developing brain hypoxia-ischemia. We developed a novel panel species-specific real-time PCR assays identify bloodstream pathogens amongst newborns with and without NE in Uganda. Methodology Multiplex for important (gram positive gram negative bacteria, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus(HSV) P. falciparum) were performed on whole blood taken...