Scope of Services
Clinical Microbiology encompasses several disciplines including Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, and Serology. The overall objective of these disciplines is to provide rapid and reliable Clinical Laboratory services that are helpful in diagnosing and treating patients with different infectious etiologies, taking into consideration the clinical relevance and cost-effective value of the tests performed.
The Bacteriology section utilizes a variety of tests based on microscopy, routine and special cultures, kit methods ( based on detection of antigens related to the infectious etiology) as well as performing different antimicrobial susceptibility assays that are helpful for appropriate patient's therapy. These methods are used inadequately controlled manner to diagnose a wide spectrum of infectious diseases including the central nervous system, bloodstream, respiratory system, surgical site infection, skin and soft tissue infection, nosocomial infection, urinary tract infection, gastrointestinal and genital tract infections.
The spectrum of targeted microorganisms includes aerobic, anaerobic, and microaerophilic bacteria, as well as mycobacteria and fungi.
The section works closely with the medical staff especially those in infectious diseases and immediately relay critical results such as positive CSF smear or culture, blood culture, Acid Fast Stain or mycobacterial culture, Salmonella and Shigella culture in stool specimens.
The section also provides services in collaboration with the infection control program and public health authorities to investigate, detect and monitor for possible microbial outbreaks in order to control their spread.
The reliability of testing is emphasized based on applying a wide range of quality control procedures and results verification. Moreover, the section is enrolled in an external proficiency testing program for this endeavor.
The mission of the section includes also continuing education to medical and paramedical staff from within or outside AUBMC about a variety of topics including the proper collection and handling of clinical specimens. Moreover, the section is actively involved in training medical technologists, residents, and other professionals, as well as in research and development that ultimately benefit patient care.
The Mycobacteriology lab is geared to detect and differentiate M. tuberculosis
from Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) or mycobacteria other than
tuberculosis (MOTT) and performs susceptibility testing on the first-line drugs
for M. tuberculosis. Speciation of NTM is available through molecular testing
based on 16 S ribosomes (in-house) or through our reference lab at Mayo Clinic
which also can perform antimycobacterial susceptibility testing on them.
The Mycology (Fungi) lab performs detection, identification, and
antifungal susceptibility testing on different recovered yeast species. Also,
it detects mold and identifies it at least to the general level. Further
detailed speciation and antifungal susceptibility testing of mold is referred
to our reference lab in Austria.
Director
Lab Supervisor
Staff
Bacteriology
- Ghena Sobh
- Hiba Halabi
- Manuel Estepan
- Najwa Sayegh
- Rania Hammoud
- Rima El-Asmar
- Sarah Baydoun
- Shafika Koubaitari
Media Room
Telephone
- 00961-1-350000 ext.5211