MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS
region is especially useful for bacterial typing as it reflects the variation in cell-wall polysaccharides and capsular composition, supporting the classification of microorganisms such as S. pneumoniae. Analysis using FTIR spectroscopy
follows a simple three-step workflow. First, the pure culture is transferred to a vial, and the bacterial suspension is prepared. The sample is then spoted on to a plate which is dried before being inserted into the instrument for analysis. Automated bioinformatics software measures and analyses the IR spectra generated. An individual spot can be processed in around a minute, meaning an entire batch of up to 30 isolates can be harvested, prepared and analysed in about three hours. FTIR spectroscopy supports efficient
and effective infection control, outbreak investigation and vaccine development. The speed of analysis enables clinicians to quickly determine and contain bacterial infections, while the ability to investigate unusual paterns in bacterial samples means that outbreaks can be detected and prevented at an early stage. Real-time strain typing using FTIR spectroscopy provides a beter understanding of the causes of infection, with precise serotype identification allowing for the development of more targeted
Real-time strain typing using FTIR spectroscopy provides a better understanding of the
causes of infection, with precise serotype identification allowing for the development of more targeted vaccination strategies
vaccination strategies. Together, MALDI- TOF MS technology and FTIR spectroscopy facilitate rapid species identification and strain-level differentiation for bacterial surveillance.
Case example: Pneumococcal disease surveillance in Brazil
In Brazil, pneumococcal disease is a major public health concern, with pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae accounting for around 30% of hospitalisations.3
The
Brazilian National Immunization Program (PNI) introduced the PCV-10 vaccine for children under the age of two in 2010 and provides the PPV-23 vaccine to high-risk patients with underlying conditions.4
As the PNI looks to expand towards higher-valency vaccines, continuous and comprehensive serotype surveillance is crucial to track replacement and vaccine escape.
The Instituto Adolfo Lutz in São Paulo,
Brazil, a national reference laboratory for bacterial meningitis and invasive pneumococcal disease, has integrated IR spectral analysis for fast and effective routine pneumococcal surveillance in Brazil. The laboratory has developed and validated an IR-based S. pneumoniae classifier which has improved the cost-efficiency and turnaround time of serotype identification in the epidemiological surveillance of invasive S. pneumoniae isolates. With the ability to
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