A Review of Current and Future Molecular Diagnostic Tests for Use in the Microbiology Laboratory -- Overview of DNA Purification for Nucleic Acid-Based Diagnostics From Environmental and Clinical Samples -- Microarray-Based Detection of Bacteria by On-Chip PCR -- An Array Biosensor for Detection of Bacterial and Toxic Contaminants of Foods -- Detection of Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae in Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid Using Fluorescence-Based PCR -- Use of Hybridization Probes in a Real-Time PCR Assay on the LightCycler® for the Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus -- Detection of Verotoxin Genes VT 1 and VT 2 in Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Minced Beef Using Immunocapture and Real-Time PCR -- Application of Two-Step Quantitative Reverse-Transcription PCR to Bacterial Diagnostics -- Quencher Extension for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Quantification in Bacterial Typing and Microbial Community Analyses -- Amplified Fragment-Length Polymorphism and Protein Profiling for Identification of Campylobacter lari Subgroups -- Use of Peptide Nucleic Acid Probes for Rapid Detection and Enumeration of Viable Bacteria in Recreational Waters and Beach Sand -- HOOF Prints -- Detection of Legionella in Various Sample Types Using Whole-Cell Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization -- Identification of Diagnostic Proteins in Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis by a Whole Genome Analysis Approach -- Diagnosis of Q Fever Using Indirect Microimmunofluorescence -- Macrophage Cell Cultures for Rapid Isolation of Intracellular Bacteria.

Carrying on the high standards of the much respected first edition, Diagnostic Bacteriology Protocols, Second Edition, has been fully updated to include the novel identification, detection, and typing technologies that are transforming the field of diagnostic testing. The authors, working at the forefront of diagnostic test development, highlight these new technologies and describe current and future molecular diagnostic tests and related nucleic acid extraction methods. The protocols range from advanced molecular detection, quantification, and typing systems, to protocols for diagnostic protein identification, serological testing, and cell culture-based assays. The emphasis is on nucleic acid-based diagnostics and alternative biochemically and immunologically based formats that can provide significant potential for multiparameter testing and automation. Several protocols describe specific organisms that may be easily modified to detect other species of interest. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principles behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Forward looking and highly practical, Diagnostic Bacteriology Protocols, Second Edition illuminates the cutting-edge technologies now available for bacterial pathogen detection and identification and demonstrates their power and ease of use in a wide variety of applications.