a culture of service...
January, 2016
© 2016, Hardy Diagnostics, all rights reserved
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Hardy's StrepPRO will quickly type your strep isolates by latex agglutination. It features a clear and distinct read-out without cross reactivity. It will even give you results for Group D.
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Announcement!
Hardy Purchases QuickSlide
W
e are pleased to announce that, in January, Hardy Diagnostics completed the purchase of GG&B Company, also known as QuickSlide. Now Hardy can offer a selection of automated slide stainers for either Gram or AFB stains.
View the QuickSlide website.
Please contact me to discuss automated slide stainers.
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For a complete view of
your urine cultures...
HUrBi
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Hardy's HUrBi urine biplate provides a complete view of your urine cultures.
- Gram positives and yeast show up on one side.
- Gram negatives show up on the other side.
- E. coli will be magenta in color.
- S. saprophyticus will be pink.
- KES group will be dark blue.
- Enterococcus will be small and lighter blue.
- Mixed cultures are easy to spot.
What more could you ask for in a urine plate?
Want to try it out for yourself?
View all our urinalysis products.
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Hardy Announces...
2
New Antibiotics
Hardy will be the first to offer these new antibiotic disks for Kirby-Bauer testing.
Avycaz
Ceftazidime/Avibactam
Zerbaxa
These new antibiotic disks will be available in January of 2016.
Click here for our complete catalog of products for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing.
Click here to contact your Account Rep for further discussion.
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Clinical Microbiology Seminar in
Palm Springs
Join us for a full day of an exciting and informative seminar that will keep you updated on current issues in clinical microbiology. Our teacher is Paul Schreckenberger, PhD. Our venue couldn't be better - the warm and sunny Palm Springs, CA.
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| Brainteasers 
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Botts' Dots are the raised pavement markers used on freeways. How were they invented and how did they get their name?
In 1953, Dr. Elbert D. Botts, working in the Caltrans materials testing lab in Sacramento, California, came upon the idea of using a raised pavement marker to help make the painted lines separating lanes last longer.
After many refinements, the use of Botts' Dots were mandated for all California freeways, except in areas where they would be damaged in snow-removal operations.
They were originally fixed to the pavement with nails, which were discontinued when the nails became dislodged and punctured tires. Now they are mounted with epoxy glue.
The ubiquitous little buttons have since been adopted around the world. In addition to making lanes easier to distinguish, the markers also had an additional -- and originally unintended -- safety benefit: to alert motorists when they drift out of their lane.
There are an estimated 25 million Botts" Dots in place today on California freeways and highways -- a lasting legacy to Mr. Botts, who passed away in 1962.
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All formats available...
Control
Organisms
Hardy offers a complete selection of microorganisms for your QC program. These MBL organisms are licensed derivatives from ATCC. They are available in the swab or pellet format; qualitative or quantitative. Order from Hardy for immediate service and delivery.
View the entire catalog online.
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Think about it...
* So what's the speed of dark?
* War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
* After eating, do amphibians need to wait an hour before getting OUT of the water?
* Why don't they just make mouse-flavored cat food?
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George Washington's
Rules of Civility & Decent
Behavior
At the age of sixteen, George Washington had copied by hand the "110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation." They are based on a set of rules composed by French Jesuits in 1595. Below are some selected rules from young Washington...
1st Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.
4th In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.
11th Shift not yourself in the Sight of others nor Gnaw your nails.
22nd Show not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.
38th In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physician if you be not Knowing therein.
51st Wear not your Cloths, foul, ripped or Dusty but See they be Brushed once every day at least and take heed that you approach not to any Uncleaness.
90th Being Set at meals Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there's a Necessity for it.
100th Cleanse not your teeth with the table cloth napkin, fork, or knife; but if others do it, let it be done without a peep to them.
110th Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.
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Want to receive the MicroBytes
Newsletter at home?
Want to view past issues
of MicroBytes?
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QUICK LINKS...
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Micro Musings...
"Can't you diagnose me with
something you have samples for?"
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Bacteria providing a lift
Could getting dirty alleviate depression? Make you smarter?
Hint: It has to do with Mycobacterium vaccae
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The Kissing Bug
Now a threat in the United States?
Triatomine bugs have invaded the American Southwest. This insect has been given the nickname "kissing bug," because it mainly bites humans around the mouth or eyes.
The CDC has begun tracking the "kissing bug," as it is known to be the main vector for Chagas disease. Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite,
Trypanosoma cruzi, which is often present in the feces of the kissing bug. Infection may occur when the feces of this bug come in contact with an open bite from the kissing bug. Other sources of infection include blood transfusions/organ transplants from infected donors and transfer from an infected mother to neonate.
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T. cruzi in a thin blood smear with giesma stain. CDC photo
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Although Chagas disease can be treated early with benznidazole and nufurtimox with 100% effectivity, problems arise if the parasite is not quickly detected. There are usually two phases of the disease. During the two month acute phase of the disease, the parasite circulates through the bloodstream, causing few to no symptoms. While the host may remain asymptomatic during the acute phase, generally a noticeable swollen bite mark is often seen near the eyes or mouth. The second phase of the disease is the chronic phase, in which the parasite moves to the heart and digestive muscles of the host. During this chronic phase, many patients still have few symptoms, and the parasite can remain undetected which poses a risk for sudden death or heart failure.
Previously, infections from this parasite were exclusive to South and Central America. Due to population migration and other factors, triatomine bugs and Chagas disease are now being documented in North America. The prevalence of the kissing bug is concentrated to the southern states such as Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, although infections by this bug have been documented in 28 states as suggested by a Texas A&M study in 2014.
The CDC estimates that more than 300,000 persons with
Trypanosoma cruzi
infection live in the United States. Most people with Chagas disease in the United States acquired their infections in endemic countries. Although there are triatomine bugs in the U.S., only rare vector-borne cases of Chagas disease have been documented.
Since currently there is no method for prophylaxis by vaccination for Chagas disease, vector control remains the primary way to prevent infections. Precautions such as normal insecticide and house treatment can limit the amount of triatomine insects that may enter a dwelling.
Additionally, since triatomine bugs typically bite at night, a bednet is a good safety precaution for homes that are exposed to a high density of insects. Lastly, strict blood screening for pregnant mothers and organ/blood donors can show the need for early benznidazole and nufurtimox treatment for infected individuals, which can prevent future spreading to newborns and transfusion/transplant recipients.
Because of rising trends of this parasite, universities and laboratories around the country are making efforts to discover new vaccination, treatment, and control options.
By Trevor Thorsen
Microbiologist at Hardy Diagnostics
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The ultimate in comfort and economy!
ComfortPRO
Labcoats
Features:
- No worries about laundering!
- Tri-laminate spunbound material for better splash barrier
- Knee length for more complete protection
- Breathable to prevent over-heating
- Soft knit collar and cuffs for comfort
- Three pockets (2 hip, 1 breast)
- Available in S, M, L, XL, XXL, and XXXL
- Available in blue or white
- Only $2.64 each! (most sizes)
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Online Ordering Made Easy!
Watch a short video
to learn how easy it is
to order from Hardy on-line!
Pick
. Click. You're Done!
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Travel warnings issued...
Zika Virus
Due to the recent outbreak of the Zika virus, travel warnings have been issued by the CDC. There is an increase in the incidence of this virus in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Particularly in Brazil, the rising incidence has coincided with a climb in birth defects, especially microcephaly. There have been over 4,000 cases of microcephaly in Brazil since the Zika outbreak began in May of 2015.
Pregnant women and those wishing to become pregnant have been warned by the CDC to avoid 24 countries that have been plagued with this disease. Since the disease is spread by the mosquito,
Aedes aegypti,
precautions should be undertaken to avoid exposure to mosquito bites.
There is currently no vaccine and no curative drug therapy. WHO officials have stated that this outbreak could be far more serious than the Ebola outbreak of 2014-15. So far, there have been 31 confirmed cases in the US, but each was brought back by tourists from the recently affected countries.
More information...
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"The only thing more dangerous than
crossing the road is being under-cooked"
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Warning:
Pun Zone Ahead
+ Two cannibals ate a missionary.
They got a taste of religion.
+ A backward poet writes inverse.
+ In a democracy, it's your vote that counts. In feudalism, it's your count that votes.
+ If you jumped off the bridge in Paris, you'd be in Seine.
+ A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons.
The stewardess looks at him and says, "I'm sorry sir, "Only one carrion allowed per passenger."
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A new species is discovered!
Staphylococcus girafficus
Photo courtesy of Paul Delange of Kettering College in Ohio.
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Fungal Slide Cultures
Made Easy!
Watch
a short video to find out how.
View our entire Mycology Catalog.
Please send me a paper catalog of our TB and Mycology products.
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Important notice
for our clinical customers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated requirements for end user quality control (QC) testing of CLIA non-waived tests effective January 1, 2016.
As part of this change, CMS no longer recognizes the C
LSI M22-A: "
Quality Control for Commercially Prepared Microbiological Culture Media"
document or its reference to media
exempt from end user QC
. Consequently, end users must now document QC testing for all microbiology media using either CMS/CLIA default QC guidelines or through the laboratory's Individualized Quality Control Plan (IQCP).
Hardy Diagnostics has not changed its Quality Control Program and is unaffected by the CMS change. However, because of the impact to our customers, we have discontinued providing QC Vouchers with shipments because the M22 reference to exempt media is no longer accepted by CMS.
As an alternative to the QC Voucher, we recommend end users maintain documentation of Hardy's QC specifications using our Certificates of Analysis (CofA). Electronic copies of our CofA can be found on our website at the following location. In addition, we have an IQCP landing page with additional information, and we're providing customers with the following QC Voucher letter to inform you of this important change
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"The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition."
Thomas Edison 1903
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As Hardy Diagnostics
enters it 36th year of serving microbiologists in the laboratory, I would like to thank each of our customers for their support and loyalty. It truly has been a pleasure to serve you!
If there is any way that we can improve or expand upon our service would you please let me know?
Jay Hardy, CLS, SM(NRCM)
President
HARDY DIAGNOSTICS
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