1. MBT Biotargets 96 Further Improve Microbiology Laboratory Efficiency and Quality with Individually Bar-coded, Easy-to-Use and Time-saving Disposable MALDI Sample Targets
The disposable MBT Biotargets 96 further improve laboratory efficiency for the MALDI Biotyper workflow. They have 96 sample spots and can be disposed of after all spots have been utilized. The novel MBT Biotargets 96 use proprietary AnchorChip™ technology for exact sample positioning and maximum sensitivity. The targets are individually bar-coded, providing sample traceability for each MALDI Biotyper run, and their unique material offers optimal flatness and product integrity. The MBT Biotargets 96 are now available for European clinical customers, following IVD directive EC/98/79.
2. Rapid, New MBT Subtyping Module for Research Use Only (RUO)
The MBT Subtyping Module enables fast detection of selected antibiotic-resistant strains in Bacteroides fragilis and Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Identification and resistance detection is performed in a single automated analysis, providing species identification followed by selected resistance information. For B. fragilis, as the most prevalent species of the Bacteroides genus, the MBT Subtyping Module automatically detects carbapenemase producing strains that carry the cfiA gene.
For S. aureus the MBT Subtyping Module detects strains carrying the mecA cassette expressing the PSM protein. For this resistance mechanism, the new test can differentiate MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) from MSSA (methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus) within minutes.
3. Rapid, New MBT Selected Test of Antibiotic Resistance (STAR) for Beta-lactamase (BL)
The new MBT STAR-BL assay supports the generic detection of Gram-negative carbapenemase producers, using a patented, functional beta-lactamase test for selected antibiotics. The MBT STAR-BL software (RUO) monitors mass shifts introduced by enzymatic degradation of betalactam antibiotics, such as penicillins, 3rd- generation cephalosporins and carbapenems. The MBT STAR-BL test consists of a software module for easy data analysis and the MBT STAR-BL IMI kit, which is currently in performance evaluation studies. During the evaluation, this kit is for investigational-use-only (IUO), and available for participating collaboration partners.
Professor Jens Jorgen Christensen at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Slagelse Hospital in Denmark stated: "Carbapenemase producing enterobacteria strains are on the rise globally. Rapid recognition in risk situations is desirable for optimal antibiotic treatment of patients. The MBT STAR-BL IMI approach will be helpful for that purpose, as increased resistance can be detected in less than three hours."
Philip Perry, the Business Development Manager for Consumables at Bruker Daltonics, added: "Bruker is committed to the continuous expansion of our MALDI Biotyper platform, e.g. with enhancements of our reference libraries, increased customer convenience and expansion of the MALDI Biotyper assay menu, in order to further increase workflow ease-of-use and efficiency, and now also for rapid testing of selected antibiotic resistance mechanisms in clinical research."