Microbiology / Infectious Disease

With the omicron variant grabbing headlines around the world, media outlets have turned to experts like Dr. Binnicker to help clarify the effect this new variant could have and what it might mean for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Audrey Schuetz, M.D., discusses Mayo Clinic Laboratories' PCR assay that identifies two recently described staphylococcus species. The assay is unique in its ability to distinguish the new organisms from Staphylococcus aureus, providing clearer results that ultimately improve patient care.

With a spike in cases spurred by the delta virus, demand for COVID-19 testing is on the rise again, and several at-home tests that have been approved for emergency use authorization are becoming more popular. But should you rely on a test that you administer yourself to tell you whether you have COVID-19? Dr. Matthew Binnicker explains the pros and cons of at-home tests.

This "Pathways" program provides a Clinical Pathology case that includes a history, potential answers, rationale, and relevant references. This case sub-specialty is Clinical Microbiology.

In the wake of the CDC withdrawing its emergency use authorization request for a coronavirus PCR test, social media posts claimed the action signaled that the tests were flawed. Dr. Matthew Binnicker explains why those claims are false.

Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory in Mayo Clinic’s Division of Clinical Microbiology, considers the prospects for COVID-19 this fall as the traditional influenza season ramps up.

Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of Mayo Clinic’s Infectious Disease Serology Lab was featured in a discussion on NBC News about COVID-19 antibody tests.

Bobbi Pritt, M.D., discusses how Mayo Clinic Labs’ updated PCR assay for West Nile virus provides increased sensitivity to detect virus RNA in multiple sources, identifies two virus lineages, and confirms diagnosis.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories now offers a noninvasive approach for the molecular detection of H. pylori, with results that include prediction of clarithromycin resistance delivered within 24 hours.

This "Pathways" program provides an Anatomic Pathology case that includes a history, potential answers, rationale, and relevant references. This case sub-specialty is Genitourinary Pathology.

In this month’s Hot Topic, Robin Patel, M.D., discusses Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ new PCR assay for detection of Helicobacter pylori detection and determination of clarithromycin resistance directly from stool.

Thank you to our staff at Mayo Clinic who step up daily during this time of need to provide access to testing during the global pandemic. We appreciate each one of you and all the sacrifices you personally have made throughout this past year.

Dr. Patel, director of Mayo Clinic's Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, discussed the future of testing for joint and bone infections.