Identification of Clinically Important Microbes by Genomic and Proteomic Methods

Clinical Center

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Historically, the detection and identification of bacteria, mycobacteria, yeasts, and molds have relied primarily on their morphologic and phenotypic properties. This approach is imprecise and slow for many clinically significant microbes. We have explored alternative methods, such as targeted sequencing and mass spectrometry, for the detection and identification of selected organisms. Studies in the current fiscal year have focused on improving protocols and speed of MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight mass spectrometry) for the identification of nocardia, mycobacteria, and molds and rapid genomic assays for identification, typing and detection of antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus. We are currently using this direct proteomic approach for direct detection and identification of mycobacterial antigens in patients serum and also treatment monitoring. We have used a similar approach to develop a proteomic-based assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 pathogen) in clinical samples. We are also developing a CRISPR-based molecular assay for detection of mycobacteria in cell free DNA obtained from serum samples. The project was awarded a NIH 2022 Directors Challenge Award: Point of Care Assay for Detection of Pulmonary Mycobacteria and Lung Injury. A Taqman hydrolysis probe version of the mycobacterial assay is being evaluated for the direct detection of mycobacteria in respiratory samples.