WO1994019450A1 - Micro-organism growth - Google Patents

Micro-organism growth Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1994019450A1
WO1994019450A1 PCT/GB1994/000257 GB9400257W WO9419450A1 WO 1994019450 A1 WO1994019450 A1 WO 1994019450A1 GB 9400257 W GB9400257 W GB 9400257W WO 9419450 A1 WO9419450 A1 WO 9419450A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
micro
monitoring
container
containers
growth
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1994/000257
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Anthony Hugh Carr
Original Assignee
Unipath Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unipath Limited filed Critical Unipath Limited
Priority to AU60044/94A priority Critical patent/AU6004494A/en
Publication of WO1994019450A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994019450A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M41/00—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation
    • C12M41/40—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of pressure
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/02—Form or structure of the vessel
    • C12M23/08—Flask, bottle or test tube
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12Q—MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS; COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES
    • C12Q1/00—Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions
    • C12Q1/02—Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions involving viable microorganisms
    • C12Q1/04—Determining presence or kind of microorganism; Use of selective media for testing antibiotics or bacteriocides; Compositions containing a chemical indicator therefor

Definitions

  • This invention relates to micro-organism growth, and concerns a method and apparatus for monitoring the growth of micro-organisms, for example in blood culture bottles.
  • PCT/GB92/01327 O93/03178. describes and claims, inter alia, a method of monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture in a gas- tight container incorporating a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in response to pressure changes within the container, by detecting displacement of the diaphragm, wherein the position or conformation of the diaphragm is repeatedly sensed using distance-measuring means.
  • containers typically blood culture bottles, containing growth media mixed with samples to be tested are loaded into a suitable holder by suitably trained laboratory personnel to form an array, and are incubated under suitable conditions, typically at 37°C with mixing to cause micro-organism growth and to permit exchange of gases between the body of the sample and the bottle headspace.
  • suitable conditions typically at 37°C with mixing to cause micro-organism growth and to permit exchange of gases between the body of the sample and the bottle headspace.
  • Each container is repeatedly monitored, typically by being scanned with a laser once every 5 minutes, to detect the position of the diaphragm.
  • Information on diaphragm position is recorded, typically by computer control means, until a diagnostically significant sufficiently large rate of change of diaphragm position (positive or negative) is detected (referred to as a "detection event"), indicating significant micro ⁇ organism growth and so providing a positive test result, or else until sufficient time has elapsed without a detection event occuring for the sample to be classed as a negative test result.
  • a diagnostically significant sufficiently large rate of change of diaphragm position positive or negative
  • a detection event indicating significant micro ⁇ organism growth and so providing a positive test result, or else until sufficient time has elapsed without a detection event occuring for the sample to be classed as a negative test result.
  • Monitoring of a particular sample may be required for an extended period, eg. up to 7 days or more, although in many cases a positive result can be obtained within 12 hours or so.
  • the system described above is found to work well in practice and to provide good sensitivity and speed of detection of micro-organism growth.
  • sample-containing bottles Under current laboratory practice it is not always possible for sample-containing bottles to be immediately processed in this way on arrival at a laboratory. In particular, trained laboratory personnel are generally considered to be required to load the bottles into the holder and to initiate processing, so bottles arriving at a laboratory outside normal working hours, eg during the night, generally have to wait until the following morning before monitoring can begin. Under current practice, sample-containing bottles are subjected to a pre ⁇ processing incubation step (a pre-incubation step) by being placed in a conventional incubator and maintained at a temperature of 37°C to await processing.
  • a pre ⁇ processing incubation step a pre-incubation step
  • a detection event may occur during such pre-incubation and so pass unmonitored. Because such a detection event is a transient event, subsequent monitoring of the bottle will not reveal the occurrence of the event, so the micro-organisms in that particular sample will be undetected.
  • the present invention aims to overcome or reduce the possible problems associated with conventional pre- incubation procedures, by replacing the conventional pre- incubation step with a modified pre-incubation step.
  • the present invention provides a method of monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture in a gas-tight container by detecting a change in gas pressure or gas composition within the container, and wherein the container initially undergoes a pre-incubation step of a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for microorganisms growth.
  • the pre-incubation step is carried out at a temperature lower than the conventionally used pre-incubation temperature of 37°C, typically being performed at about 25°C. Such a temperature sustains organisms and generally allows growth but at a reduced rate compared with growth at 37°C.
  • no or reduced (eg. intermittent or low speed) agitation or stirring of the micro-organisms in culture may be employed during the pre-incubation step. Incubation with inadequate mixing allows organism growth, to appreciable levels, but prevents gas exchange with the headspace which in turn postpones the detection event.
  • the pre-incubation step of the invention can substantially reduce or eliminate the risk of missed detection events.
  • the pre- incubation step of the invention will mainly be used on samples arriving at a laboratory at night and in this case a detection event will often occur during the first few hours of the following working day, as described above, so little useful time is lost in practice.
  • Changes in gas pressure or gas composition can be monitored in a variety of known ways. For example, changes in carbon dioxide concentration in the container headspace can be monitored using infra-red sensors. Changes in internal gas pressure can be monitored eg as disclosed in EP 0124193 and EP 0340902. In the latter specification deformation of a flexible diaphragm forming part of the container in response to pressure changes within the container is detected optically by use of a light source and photodetector. Clearly other types of electromagnetic radiation could be used in similar manner, and the relevant detector can be used to detect deflection or interruption of the radiation.
  • the present invention thus provides a method of monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture in a gas-tight container incorporating a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in response to pressure changes within the container, by detecting displacement of the diaphragm, wherein the position or conformation of the diaphragm is repeatedly sensed using distance-measuring means, and wherein the container initially undergoes a pre-incubation step at a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for micro-organism growth.
  • the invention also provides apparatus for monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture, comprising means for holding an array of gas-tight containers each containing a liquid test sample, means for monitoring changes in gas pressure or gas composition within the containers, means for providing relative movement between the containers and the monitoring means for repeatedly presenting the containers individually in turn to the monitoring means, means for recording and/or displaying data obtained from the monitoring means; and a pre- incubator comprising means for receiving a plurality of containers and maintaining them at a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for micro-organism growth.
  • the present invention thus provides apparatus for monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture, comprising means for holding an array of gas-tight containers each containing a liquid test sample and each incorporating a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in response to pressure changes within the container, distance-measuring means capable of detecting changes in position or conformation of each diaphragm, means for providing relative movement between the containers and the distance-measuring means for repeatedly presenting the containers individually in turn to the distance-measuring means, means for recording and/or displaying data obtained from the distance-measuring means; and a pre-incubator comprising means for receiving a plurality of containers and maintaining them at a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for micro-organism growth.
  • the pre-incubator can comprise a generally conventional incubator intended to be used at a relatively low temperature, eg. 25°C.
  • the remainder of the apparatus is conveniently as disclosed in PCT/GB92/01327.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an automated culture unit comprising apparatus in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an automated culture unit that is described and illustrated in detail in PCT/GB92/01327.
  • the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a unit 1000 removably housing 5 similar drawers 1002 for receiving blood culture bottles containing samples to be tested, and also computer control means 1004 with an associated visual display unit 1006.
  • a pre-incubator 1008 is located on top of drawers 1002.
  • the illustrated pre-incubator has a lift up top panel door 1010 and is adapted to receive a plurality of sample bottles in a temperature-controlled environment, the conditions of which are controlled by computer control means 1004.
  • the culture unit would typically be located in a laboratory of a hospital and would be under the control suitably trained laboratory personnel.
  • Blood culture bottles containing samples to be tested are typically delivered individually or in batches by porters to a hospital laboratory at different times of the day and night. For those samples arriving during the working day when suitable trained laboratory personnel are available, the culture bottles can immediately be placed in one of the drawers 1002 for monitoring as described in PCT/GB92/01327.
  • pre- incubator 1008 is a task that can be performed by untrained personnel such as porters.
  • the conditions in the pre-incubator are set and maintained a temperature below 37°C and under at conditions sub-optimal for micro ⁇ organism growth, eg. at about 25°C with no or inadequate stirring or agitation.
  • the bottles are transferred from the pre-incubator to the drawers 1002 to be further processed in the usual way, as described in PCT/GB92/01327.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Proteomics, Peptides & Aminoacids (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)

Abstract

In a method of monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture involving the detection of changes in gas pressure or gas composition in a gas-tight container such as a blood culture bottle, a pre-incubation step at a temperature below 37 °C and under conditions sub-optimal for micro-organism growth is employed when it is not possible to initiate the monitoring procedure immediately.

Description

Title: Micro-orαanism Growth
Field of Invention
This invention relates to micro-organism growth, and concerns a method and apparatus for monitoring the growth of micro-organisms, for example in blood culture bottles.
Background to the Invention
The specification of PCT/GB92/01327 ( O93/03178). describes and claims, inter alia, a method of monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture in a gas- tight container incorporating a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in response to pressure changes within the container, by detecting displacement of the diaphragm, wherein the position or conformation of the diaphragm is repeatedly sensed using distance-measuring means.
In practice of that method, containers, typically blood culture bottles, containing growth media mixed with samples to be tested are loaded into a suitable holder by suitably trained laboratory personnel to form an array, and are incubated under suitable conditions, typically at 37°C with mixing to cause micro-organism growth and to permit exchange of gases between the body of the sample and the bottle headspace. Each container is repeatedly monitored, typically by being scanned with a laser once every 5 minutes, to detect the position of the diaphragm. Information on diaphragm position is recorded, typically by computer control means, until a diagnostically significant sufficiently large rate of change of diaphragm position (positive or negative) is detected (referred to as a "detection event"), indicating significant micro¬ organism growth and so providing a positive test result, or else until sufficient time has elapsed without a detection event occuring for the sample to be classed as a negative test result. Monitoring of a particular sample may be required for an extended period, eg. up to 7 days or more, although in many cases a positive result can be obtained within 12 hours or so.
The system described above is found to work well in practice and to provide good sensitivity and speed of detection of micro-organism growth.
Under current laboratory practice it is not always possible for sample-containing bottles to be immediately processed in this way on arrival at a laboratory. In particular, trained laboratory personnel are generally considered to be required to load the bottles into the holder and to initiate processing, so bottles arriving at a laboratory outside normal working hours, eg during the night, generally have to wait until the following morning before monitoring can begin. Under current practice, sample-containing bottles are subjected to a pre¬ processing incubation step (a pre-incubation step) by being placed in a conventional incubator and maintained at a temperature of 37°C to await processing.
It is in fact not uncommon for blood culture bottles to be innoculated with samples for testing during the night, with this often arising during an emergency or crisis episode, and under normal conditions it is found that up to 40-50% of samples to be tested fall into this category, and undergo a pre-incubation step, with pre-incubation periods of up to 10 hours not being uncommon.
It is possible that a detection event may occur during such pre-incubation and so pass unmonitored. Because such a detection event is a transient event, subsequent monitoring of the bottle will not reveal the occurrence of the event, so the micro-organisms in that particular sample will be undetected.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention aims to overcome or reduce the possible problems associated with conventional pre- incubation procedures, by replacing the conventional pre- incubation step with a modified pre-incubation step.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture in a gas-tight container by detecting a change in gas pressure or gas composition within the container, and wherein the container initially undergoes a pre-incubation step of a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for microorganisms growth.
By performing the pre-incubation step under sub-optimal conditions for growth, organism growth during the pre- incubation period is suppressed and so the occurrence of a detection event is delayed. As a result there is a reduced risk of a detection event occurring during the pre-incubation stage and so being missed. In accordance with the invention, the pre-incubation step is carried out at a temperature lower than the conventionally used pre-incubation temperature of 37°C, typically being performed at about 25°C. Such a temperature sustains organisms and generally allows growth but at a reduced rate compared with growth at 37°C.
Additionally, no or reduced (eg. intermittent or low speed) agitation or stirring of the micro-organisms in culture may be employed during the pre-incubation step. Incubation with inadequate mixing allows organism growth, to appreciable levels, but prevents gas exchange with the headspace which in turn postpones the detection event.
In practice, generally only those micro-organism samples not able to be monitored immediately on arrival at a laboratory, eg. those arriving at night, will be subjected to the pre-incubation step of the present invention. Those samples will then be subjected to monitoring (typically involving incubation at 37°C) as soon as possible after arrival, eg. the following morning, so that a test result can be obtained as soon as possible. Generally it is found that after a low temperature pre- incubation, a detection event occurs within a few hours of the start of the monitoring process.
While the overall time between arrival of a sample in a laboratory and a detection event occurring is increased somewhat by use of the pre-incubation step of the present invention, under typical laboratory conditions the consequent delay in obtaining a test result is usually only a few hours at most. Thus, in return for a usually short and acceptable delay, the invention can substantially reduce or eliminate the risk of missed detection events. Furthermore, in practice the pre- incubation step of the invention will mainly be used on samples arriving at a laboratory at night and in this case a detection event will often occur during the first few hours of the following working day, as described above, so little useful time is lost in practice.
Changes in gas pressure or gas composition can be monitored in a variety of known ways. For example, changes in carbon dioxide concentration in the container headspace can be monitored using infra-red sensors. Changes in internal gas pressure can be monitored eg as disclosed in EP 0124193 and EP 0340902. In the latter specification deformation of a flexible diaphragm forming part of the container in response to pressure changes within the container is detected optically by use of a light source and photodetector. Clearly other types of electromagnetic radiation could be used in similar manner, and the relevant detector can be used to detect deflection or interruption of the radiation.
It is preferred, however, to monitor changes in gas pressure within the container as disclosed in PCT/GB92/01327. In a preferred aspect, the present invention thus provides a method of monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture in a gas-tight container incorporating a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in response to pressure changes within the container, by detecting displacement of the diaphragm, wherein the position or conformation of the diaphragm is repeatedly sensed using distance-measuring means, and wherein the container initially undergoes a pre-incubation step at a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for micro-organism growth. The invention also provides apparatus for monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture, comprising means for holding an array of gas-tight containers each containing a liquid test sample, means for monitoring changes in gas pressure or gas composition within the containers, means for providing relative movement between the containers and the monitoring means for repeatedly presenting the containers individually in turn to the monitoring means, means for recording and/or displaying data obtained from the monitoring means; and a pre- incubator comprising means for receiving a plurality of containers and maintaining them at a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for micro-organism growth.
It is preferred to use apparatus generally disclossed in PCT/GB92/01327.
In a further aspect, the present invention thus provides apparatus for monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture, comprising means for holding an array of gas-tight containers each containing a liquid test sample and each incorporating a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in response to pressure changes within the container, distance-measuring means capable of detecting changes in position or conformation of each diaphragm, means for providing relative movement between the containers and the distance-measuring means for repeatedly presenting the containers individually in turn to the distance-measuring means, means for recording and/or displaying data obtained from the distance-measuring means; and a pre-incubator comprising means for receiving a plurality of containers and maintaining them at a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for micro-organism growth.
The pre-incubator can comprise a generally conventional incubator intended to be used at a relatively low temperature, eg. 25°C. The remainder of the apparatus is conveniently as disclosed in PCT/GB92/01327.
The invention will be further described, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an automated culture unit comprising apparatus in accordance with the invention.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 illustrates an automated culture unit that is described and illustrated in detail in PCT/GB92/01327. Briefly, the apparatus ilustrated in Figure 1 comprises a unit 1000 removably housing 5 similar drawers 1002 for receiving blood culture bottles containing samples to be tested, and also computer control means 1004 with an associated visual display unit 1006.
In accordance with the present invention, a pre-incubator 1008 is located on top of drawers 1002. The illustrated pre-incubator has a lift up top panel door 1010 and is adapted to receive a plurality of sample bottles in a temperature-controlled environment, the conditions of which are controlled by computer control means 1004.
The culture unit would typically be located in a laboratory of a hospital and would be under the control suitably trained laboratory personnel.
Blood culture bottles containing samples to be tested are typically delivered individually or in batches by porters to a hospital laboratory at different times of the day and night. For those samples arriving during the working day when suitable trained laboratory personnel are available, the culture bottles can immediately be placed in one of the drawers 1002 for monitoring as described in PCT/GB92/01327.
However, for samples arriving at the laboratory when no suitably trained laboratory personnel are available, eg. at night, the bottles are instead loaded into pre- incubator 1008, which is a task that can be performed by untrained personnel such as porters. The conditions in the pre-incubator are set and maintained a temperature below 37°C and under at conditions sub-optimal for micro¬ organism growth, eg. at about 25°C with no or inadequate stirring or agitation. As soon as possible after the arrival of suitably trained personnel, the bottles are transferred from the pre-incubator to the drawers 1002 to be further processed in the usual way, as described in PCT/GB92/01327.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture in a gas-tight container by detecting a change in gas pressure or gas composition within the container, and wherein the container initially undergoes a pre-incubation step at a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for micro-organism growth.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the container incorporates a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in response to pressure changes within the container and wherein displacement of the diaphragm is detected by means of a beam of electromagnetic radiation which is broken or deflected by a change in the position or conformation of the diaphragm.
3. A method of monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture in a gas-tight container incorporating a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in response to pressure changes within the container, by detecting displacement of the diaphragm, wherein the position or conformation of the diaphragm is repeatedly sensed using distance-measuring means, and wherein the container initially undergoes a pre-incubation step at a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for micro¬ organism growth.
4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pre-incubation is carried out at a temperature of about 25°C.
5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-incubation is carried out with no or inadequate agitation or stirring of micro-organisms in culture.
6. Apparatus for monitoring the growth of micro¬ organisms in liquid culture, comprising means for holding an array of gas-tight containers each containing a liquid test sample, means for monitoring changes in gas pressure or gas composition within the containers, means for providing relative movement between the containers and the monitoring means for repeatedly presenting the containers individually in turn to the monitoring means, means for recording and/or displaying data obtained from the monitoring means; and a pre-incubator comprising means for receiving a plurality of containers and maintaining them at a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for micro-organism growth.
7. Apparatus for monitoring the growth of micro¬ organisms in liquid culture, comprising means for holding an array of gas-tight containers each containing a liquid test sample and each incorporating a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in response to pressure changes within the container, distance-measuring means capable of detecting changes in position or conformation of each diaphragm, means for providing relative movement between the containers and the distance-measuring means for repeatedly presenting the containers individually in turn to the distance-measuring means, means for recording and/or displaying data obtained from the distance- measuring means; and a pre-incubator comprising means for receiving a plurality of containers and maintaining them at a temperature below 37°C and under sub-optimal conditions for micro-organism growth.
PCT/GB1994/000257 1993-02-17 1994-02-09 Micro-organism growth WO1994019450A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU60044/94A AU6004494A (en) 1993-02-17 1994-02-09 Micro-organism growth

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP93301174 1993-02-17
EP93301174.4 1993-02-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994019450A1 true WO1994019450A1 (en) 1994-09-01

Family

ID=8214310

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1994/000257 WO1994019450A1 (en) 1993-02-17 1994-02-09 Micro-organism growth

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6004494A (en)
WO (1) WO1994019450A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0165172A1 (en) * 1984-06-06 1985-12-18 Jean-Claude Bisconte Modular apparatus for cell culture
DE8601344U1 (en) * 1986-01-21 1986-06-05 Drebenstedt, Fritz, 40699 Erkrath Device for storing and / or treating microorganisms or the like.
EP0340902A1 (en) * 1988-05-06 1989-11-08 Abo, Inc Method and apparatus for detecting micro-organism activity
WO1993003178A1 (en) * 1991-08-02 1993-02-18 Unilever Plc Microorganism growth

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0165172A1 (en) * 1984-06-06 1985-12-18 Jean-Claude Bisconte Modular apparatus for cell culture
DE8601344U1 (en) * 1986-01-21 1986-06-05 Drebenstedt, Fritz, 40699 Erkrath Device for storing and / or treating microorganisms or the like.
EP0340902A1 (en) * 1988-05-06 1989-11-08 Abo, Inc Method and apparatus for detecting micro-organism activity
WO1993003178A1 (en) * 1991-08-02 1993-02-18 Unilever Plc Microorganism growth

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
H.G.SCHLEGEL: "Allgemeine Mikrobiologie", 1972, GEORG THIEME VERLAG, STUTTGART *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6004494A (en) 1994-09-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
Badak et al. Comparison of mycobacteria growth indicator tube with BACTEC 460 for detection and recovery of mycobacteria from clinical specimens
EP0592728B1 (en) Detecting microbiological growth
EP0553317B1 (en) Microorganism growth
JP2696078B2 (en) Small blood culture device
Woods et al. Clinical evaluation of Difco ESP Culture System II for growth and detection of mycobacteria
EP0790299A2 (en) Device and methods for detecting microorganisms
EP0590775A1 (en) Method and apparatus for detecting microorganisms
EP1016707B1 (en) Microbiological testing apparatus and method
Tiangpitayakorn et al. Speed of detection of Burkholderia pseudomallei in blood cultures and its correlation with the clinical outcome
US5814474A (en) Direct identification of microorganisms in culture bottles
EP0454784B2 (en) Apparatus and methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of microorganisms
EP0104463A1 (en) Detection of the presence of biological activity utilizing infrared analysis
CN102131914A (en) Apparatus and method for bacteriological testing on plasma
Della‐Latta Mycobacteriology and antimycobacterial susceptibility testing
US5726030A (en) Method for automatically testing the antibiotic sensitivity of a paraffinophilic microorganism
EP0151855B1 (en) Identification of microorganisms by infrared analysis of evolved carbon dioxide
US6537772B1 (en) Equipment, kit and method for microbiological diagnosis
WO1994019450A1 (en) Micro-organism growth
EP0124285A2 (en) Method and device for detecting microorganisms
JP2000500340A (en) Antibacterial antibacterial susceptibility assay
EP0745683B1 (en) Process for measuring microbial activity state
Viveiros et al. Improving on the LJ slope-automated liquid culture.
EP0590918A1 (en) Method of critical specimen resistance testing
Basile et al. Fast and sensitive laser-based enzymatic detection of the lactose operon in microorganisms
McLaughlin et al. A rapid method for detecting bacterial contamination in the presence of Penicillium and Streptomyces antibiotic fermentations

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT AU BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CZ DE DK ES FI GB HU JP KP KR KZ LK LU LV MG MN MW NL NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SK UA US UZ VN

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA