The recent reports of invasive Group A Streptococcal infections in children have drawn attention to this relatively common pathogen. MWE has a range of products that can help with diagnosis.

Earlier this year, former Chief Biomedical Scientist Ivor J Mitchelmore and his colleagues set up a microbiology culture service, where they used MWE swabs, media and Microloops to detect bacteria such as S. aureus, etc.

A study done by Cardiff University showed that Ʃ-VCM transport medium met and exceeded the basic requirements for transport of bacteria set out by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute Standard M40-A2. Viability of Ureaplasma species in Ʃ-VCM transport medium was stable for 4 days at room temperature. Viability could be extended to at least 264 hours if kept at 4˚C.

Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report on acute hepatitis in children with an unknown origin. Even though Adenovirus is a hypothesis as being one of the strongly associated reasons for Hepatitis in this report, it is still under investigation. United Kingdom is one of the highly affected countries. PCR analysis has been the first line of diagnosis. Blood sampling, respiratory sampling and stool sampling are being used to collect specimen. Respiratory specimen in a VTM such as the ∑-Virocult® (Viral transport media) and ∑-MM™ inactivation media can be used to collect samples.

Poliovirus can be cultured from faeces which usually goes through a prolonged cell culture process. MWE’s Faecal Transwab® compatible with PCR, would be a suitable medium to collect and transport the sample to the laboratory if faecal sample was not readily available or desirable.

Monkeypox virus webinar hosted by MWE and Prolab Diagnostics, featuring Neil Bentley, OBE, Mark Reed - Prolab Diagnostics, Richard Seuke - MWE

It is imperative that any sampling device does not carry non-viable (dead) organisms as they may guide users towards the wrong conclusion. MWE products consistently pass every aspect of M40-A2 requirements, including absence of non-viable organisms.

Polywipes are sponges designed for collection of possible contaminants from a wide range of surfaces. These surfaces include production machinery in food factories, and carcasses in the butchering trade. 

Great efforts are being made by healthcare professionals everywhere to reduce and if possible eliminate the risk of hospital acquired infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile. Nowhere is this more important than in the operating theatre, where every possible step is taken to ensure an environment that is as near sterile as possible to prevent surgical site infections.

The standard ISO 18593:2018 provides important guidance for sampling and testing surfaces in the food chain environment for microbiological safety, and much of this information is relevant for monitoring surfaces in healthcare settings for the purposes of infection control.

SIGMA VCM™ proven to be reliable at storing and transporting Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma

Sigma GBS™ is a swab based device for the direct collection and rapid processing of screening specimens for Streptococcus agalactiae (commonly known as Group B Streptococcus).

Sigma SP™ contains a novel reagent which is not only a more powerful mucolytic, but comes in a simple, ready to use liquid format, ready to load onto the automated platforms.

MWE's  VIABANK™ is a convenient, easy-to-use cryoprotection system for the storage of microorganisms

MWE’s Fecal transport swab means, you can now use your molecular systems to detect enteric pathogens in faecal specimens

Sigma MM™ proven to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in 60 seconds, preserving the RNA for safe transportation and testing

Sigma MM™ is compatible with culture and molecular techniques

Sigma MM™ inactivates deadly pathogens and preserving and maintaining DNA integrity

Collection and storage of viral specimen is the most important factor in obtaining a reliable and accurate diagnostic result.

CLSI’s ‘Quality Control of Microbiological Transport Systems’ provides a method to determine collection devices suitable for the transport of viral specimens over extended distances

∑–VIROCULT® has been proven to be effective at detection of Herpes on the BD Max™ and Smartcycler® automated platforms