Here’s the study we selected for the second edition of 2025’s Microbiology time:

• Let’s start with a British study assessing the diagnostic reliability of two POC molecular diagnostic tests (Xpert® Mpox and STANDARD™ M10 MPX/OPX) for detecting the monkeypox virus. This study analyzed respiratory and skin lesion swabs from mpox and COVID-19 patients and compared the results from the two platforms. The findings indicated that the Xpert® Mpox test has superior sensitivity and specificity for both sample types compared to the STANDARD™ M10 MPX/OPX, which showed lacking clinical accuracy with upper respiratory samples. The researchers suggested that using respiratory swabs within the first three days of symptoms could enhance the accuracy of monkeypox diagnosis.
• The second study investigated the acceptability and performance of tongue swabbing as a tool to detect tuberculosis (TB) and resistance to the drug Rifampicin. Of 399 survey respondents, everyone said they were comfortable collecting their tongue swabs, with only minimal discomfort reported. By analyzing more than 300 samples, the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra test on tongue swabs showed 78.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity for TB detection, with better performance in individuals with higher bacterial loads and lower in HIV-positive individuals. The tongue swab test showed 100% accuracy in detecting RIF resistance. Although tongue swabs are less sensitive than sputum, their ease of use and high acceptability make them valuable for molecular TB testing, reducing the burden on healthcare workers and increasing access to testing.
• One of the main challenges in diagnosing PD is the heterogeneity of its symptoms, which makes finding reliable biomarkers crucial. Currently, the most definitive method for diagnosing PD involves examining brain tissue post-mortem. A new test called the seed amplification assay (SAA), initially developed for prion-induced diseases, has been adapted to detect α-Syn clumps in cerebrospinal fluid, potentially allowing for earlier diagnosis of PD. Recent research indicates that SAA can also identify α-Syn clumps in samples obtained through less invasive procedures, such as skin, nasal tissue, saliva, and blood. However, there is still no standardized approach for conducting these tests, which limits their application in clinical settings. Establishing clear guidelines would enhance the reliability of these tests and aid in identifying patients who might benefit from new treatments. The third Chilean study reviews studies utilizing SAA to detect α-Syn clumps in minimally invasive samples, focusing on the collection, processing, and testing methods to improve the accuracy and utility of the results.

Read the full studies below: