The principle of the MERLIN MICRONAUT™ system for specialty susceptibility testing is the phenotypic detection of microbial growth inhibition in the presence of antibiotics. Its microdilution procedure is a standardized, globally accepted reference method for the determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Standard and special AST plates are available for in-vitro diagnostic use according to the EU directive EC/98/79 for a wide spectrum of clinically important microorganisms. MERLIN's focus is on the detection of major resistance phenotypes, i.e. MRSA, VRE, MBL, ESBL, KPC, AMP-C, and OXA-48. In addition, MERLIN has the ability to customize antibiograms for more than 200 antibiotics. Due to this flexibility, the MICRONAUT system enables laboratories to adjust their testing profiles to the rapid spread of certain new resistances. MICRONAUT software for identification and susceptibility testing includes an expert plausibility check, and has for several years already offered an interface to Bruker´s MALDI Biotyper.
MERLIN is a member of the German Diagnostic Industry Association (VDGH) and the Paul-Ehrlich-Society for Chemotherapy, and MERLIN is involved in various studies related to antibiotic resistance, e.g. the monitoring of drug resistance among clinically relevant pathogens in Germany and central Europe. For such multicenter studies involving human and veterinary medicine, MERLIN offers the design and production of dedicated MIC study plates, as well as scientific consulting and support. MERLIN acts as a reference laboratory for annual inter-laboratory tests by the INSTAND organization for quality assurance in microbiology.
MERLIN will continue to serve all existing collaboration and distribution partners, as well as all OEM customers and end customers after the acquisition.
Dr. Esther Pfeil, Managing Director of MERLIN Diagnostika GmbH, commented: "We are very pleased to be part of Bruker´s microbiology business now, as we have been collaborating with Bruker already for several years. Our product and service offerings in the field of antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) complement the MALDI Biotyper system for fast and efficient microbial identification. With our proven expertise in the field of AST, we aim to accelerate further assay additions to the MBT-STAR™ consumables portfolio for selected, rapid antibiotic resistance and susceptibility testing on the MALDI Biotyper."
Dr. Johann-Wolfgang Wittke, Managing Director of the Medical Laboratory Bremen (Germany), said: "Our laboratory has been working with Bruker´s MALDI Biotyper for microbial identification and the MICRONAUT system from MERLIN for many years. The MICRONAUT microdilution approach with the determination of true minimal inhibitory concentrations has leading analytical performance and reliability. We use MERLIN's custom-tailored microtiter plates to answer different microbiological questions, or for the detection of resistance mechanisms. This flexibility is unmatched in the market, and I am looking forward to further integration, synergies and reduction of hands-on time."
Dr. Wolfgang Pusch, Executive Vice President for Microbiology & Diagnostics at Bruker Daltonics, added: "MERLIN adds expertise and an impressive portfolio of flexible specialty products for antibiotic susceptibility testing to Bruker's clinical and applied microbiology business. Over time, we expect that MERLIN will further expand our selected, high-value ART and AST assay portfolio for the MALDI Biotyper."