OUP accepted manuscript

Background

There is a need for simple microbiology diagnostics to enable antimicrobial resistance surveillance in low- and middle-income countries.

Objectives

To investigate the field utility of InTray COLOREX plates for urine culture and ESBL detection.

Methods

Clinical urine samples from Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR were inoculated onto chromogenic media and InTray COLOREX Screen plates between June and August 2020. Urine and isolates from other clinical specimens were inoculated onto COLOREX ESBL plates. A simulated field study investigating the field utility of the InTray COLOREX plates was also completed.

Results

In total, 355 urine samples were inoculated onto standard chromogenic agar and InTray COLOREX Screen plates, and 154 urine samples and 54 isolates from other clinical specimens on the COLOREX ESBL plates. Growth was similar for the two methods (COLOREX Screen 41%, standard method 38%) with 20% discordant results, mainly due to differences in colony counts or colonial appearance. Contamination occurred in 13% of samples, with the COLOREX Screen plates showing increased contamination rates, potentially due to condensation. ESBL producers were confirmed from 80% of isolates from the COLOREX ESBL plates, and direct plating provided rapid detection of presumptive ESBL producers. Burkholderia pseudomallei also grew well on the ESBL plates, a relevant finding in this melioidosis-endemic area.

Conclusions

The InTray COLOREX Screen and ESBL plates were simple to use and interpret, permitting rapid detection of uropathogens and ESBLs, and have the potential for easy transport and storage from field sites and use in laboratories with low capacity.

Breast cancer screening among Hmong women in California

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women in the United States. Hmong women are among those at the highest risk for health problems, due to high rates of poverty, language isolation, and cultural barriers.

METHOD

One-on-one survey interviews were completed with 201 Hmong women aged 20 years and older in Fresno, Long Beach, Orange County, and San Diego to determine their breast cancer screening behaviors--breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), and mammography.

RESULTS

Overall, 51% of all respondents had ever performed BSE. Among respondents aged 40 or older, 52% had ever had a CBE and only 30% had ever had mammography.

DISCUSSION

Significant correlates of CBE and mammography screening are presented, and implications of findings for research and education are discussed.