<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Fluorescent <italic>in situ</italic> hybridization (FISH) allows rapid detection of microorganisms. We aimed (i) to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of FISH for the detection of <italic>Acinetobacter</italic> spp. in blood culture specimens and (ii) to test the simultaneous application of two genus-specific probes labeled with the same fluorochrome to increase the fluorescent signal intensity and improve the detection of <italic>Acinetobacter</italic> spp. Three hundred and twenty blood culture specimens were tested <italic>via</italic> both the conventional laboratory methods and FISH to detect <italic>Acinetobacter</italic> spp. The specimens were examined separately with each genus-specific probe Aci and ACA, and also using a mixture of the both probes Aci and ACA. In all examinations, probe EUB338 was used accompanied by Aci and ACA. The specificity of FISH was 100% (97.5% confidence interval [CI] = 98.7% – 100%). The sensitivity of FISH by the use of probe Aci was 96.4% (95% CI = 81.7% – 99.9%), whereas, the sensitivity of this technique by the use of probe ACA as well as by the combination of both probes Aci and ACA was 100% (97.5% CI = 87.7% – 100%). Moreover, simultaneous hybridization by probes Aci and ACA increased the fluorescent signal of <italic>Acinetobacter</italic> spp. cells to 3+ in 13 specimens. In conclusion, FISH, particularly using a combination of Aci and ACA, is a highly accurate method for the detection of <italic>Acinetobacter</italic> spp. in blood cultures. Furthermore, simultaneous hybridization by the both probes Aci and ACA can increase the fluorescent signal intensity of <italic>Acinetobacter</italic> spp. cells in some blood culture specimens and facilitate the detection of these microorganisms.</p></abstract>

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) allows rapid detection of microorganisms. We aimed (i) to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of FISH for the detection of Acinetobacter spp. in blood culture specimens and (ii) to test the simultaneous application of two genus-specific probes labeled with the same fluorochrome to increase the fluorescent signal intensity and improve the detection of Acinetobacter spp. Three hundred and twenty blood culture specimens were tested via both the conventional laboratory methods and FISH to detect Acinetobacter spp. The specimens were examined separately with each genus-specific probe Aci and ACA, and also using a mixture of the both probes Aci and ACA. In all examinations, probe EUB338 was used accompanied by Aci and ACA. The specificity of FISH was 100% (97.5% confidence interval [CI] = 98.7% – 100%). The sensitivity of FISH by the use of probe Aci was 96.4% (95% CI = 81.7% – 99.9%), whereas, the sensitivity of this technique by the use of probe ACA as well as by the combination of both probes Aci and ACA was 100% (97.5% CI = 87.7% – 100%). Moreover, simultaneous hybridization by probes Aci and ACA increased the fluorescent signal of Acinetobacter spp. cells to 3+ in 13 specimens. In conclusion, FISH, particularly using a combination of Aci and ACA, is a highly accurate method for the detection of Acinetobacter spp. in blood cultures. Furthermore, simultaneous hybridization by the both probes Aci and ACA can increase the fluorescent signal intensity of Acinetobacter spp. cells in some blood culture specimens and facilitate the detection of these microorganisms.

Detection of <italic>Acinetobacter</italic> spp. in Blood Cultures by an Improved Fluorescent <italic>in Situ</italic> Hybridization Assay

Polish Journal of Microbiology

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Detection of  spp. in Blood Cultures by an Improved Fluorescent  Hybridization Assay

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) allows rapid detection of microorganisms. We aimed (i) to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of FISH for the...

Detection of Acinetobacter spp. in Blood Cultures by an Improved Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization Assay

Article Category: original-paper

Published Online: Mar 09, 2018

Page range: 3 - 10

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/pjm-2018-6137

Keywords
bacteremia, blood culture, FISH, simultaneous hybridization

© 2021 Hanieh Asaadi et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Detection of Acinetobacter spp. in Blood Cultures by an Improved Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization Assay

Article Category: original-paper

Published Online: Mar 09, 2018

Page range: 3 - 10

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/pjm-2018-6137

Keywordsbacteremia, blood culture, FISH, simultaneous hybridization

© 2021 Hanieh Asaadi et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
bacteremia, blood culture, FISH, simultaneous hybridization