Author: jscott

Background The Gram negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is commonly found in soil, water, and other natural environments. It is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause infections in humans, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with cystic fibrosis or hospitalized patients. P. aeruginosa is known for its ability to form biofilms, which […]

Coliform bacteria are common environmental bacteria, typically associated with the mammalian digestive tract. Although not generally pathogenic themselves, coliforms are a well-known marker of fecal contamination, and their presence is interpreted to suggest that potentially pathogenic bacteria may be present. This test detects both E. coli and coliform bacteria in bulk water samples or from […]

Background The Gram negative bacterium Legionella pneumophila is a common environmental cause of pneumonia, often associated with institutional outbreaks and environmental exposures. Legionella pneumophila is an endosymbiont of single celled protozoa that live in warm, stagnant water, particularly around temperatures of 30-40 °C. Building systems such as humidifiers and evaporative coolers may become contaminated by […]

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) DNA-based method specifically for testing Legionella pneumophila in water samples that has the advantage of much greater sensitivity coupled with the potential to provide results in as little as 24 hrs after submission to the lab. The method involves DNA extraction and DNA testing by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). This […]

The fungi responsible for wood rot are not molds in the conventional sense of the word. Wood rot fungi are typically members of the Basidiomycota. They are commonly categorized according to the physical changes they produce in colonized wood – a function of their physiological approach to wood degradation. Two main strategies are recognized: Brown […]