Abstract: A method of determining the sensitivity of at least one paraffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to different antimicrobial agents and predetermined quantities thereof includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous solution and then inoculating the solution with the specimen. The method then includes placing into the receptacle (i) a paraffin coated slide to bait the at least one paraffinophilic microorganism and (ii) a predetermined quantity of an antimicrobial agent to be tested. The slide is then observed for paraffinophilic microorganism growth or lack thereof to determine whether the predetermined quantity of the antimicrobial agent is effective in inhibiting growth of the paraffinophilic microorganisms on the slide. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining the sensitivity of at least one nonparaffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to different antimicrobial agent and predetermined quantities thereof. The method includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous solution and inoculating the solution with the specimen. The method further includes placing into the receptacle (i) a slide coated with a carbon source and (ii) a predetermined quantity of an antimicrobial agent to be tested. By observing the nonparaffinophilic microorganism growth or lack thereof on the slide, it can be determined whether the predetermined quantity of the antimicrobial agent is effective in inhibiting growth of the nonparaffinophilic microorganism on the slide. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the sensitivity of at least one nonparaffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to different antimicrobial agent, and predetermined quantities thereof. The method includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous solution and adjusting the solution to mimic the in vivo clinical conditions of said patient. The method further includes inoculating the solution with the specimen and placing into the receptacle (i) a slide coated with a carbon source and (ii) a predetermined quantity of an antimicrobial agent to be tested. By observing the nonparaffinophilic microorganism growth or lack thereof on the slide, it can be determined whether the predetermined quantity of the antimicrobial agent is effective in inhibiting growth of the nonparaffinophilic microorganism on the slide. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the sensitivity of at least one nonparaffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to different antimicrobial agent and predetermined quantities thereof. The method includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous solution and inoculating the solution with the specimen. The method further includes placing into the receptacle (i) a slide coated with a carbon source and (ii) a predetermined quantity of an antimicrobial agent to be tested. By observing the nonparaffinophilic microorganism growth or lack thereof on the slide, it can be determined whether the predetermined quantity of the antimicrobial agent is effective in inhibiting growth of the nonparaffinophilic microorganism on the slide. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in a specimen taken from a patient. The method includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution and adjusting the solution to mimic the in vivo clinical conditions of the patient. The method further includes inoculating the solution with the specimen and then placing in the receptacle a slide coated with a carbon source to bait the nonparaffinophilic microorganism. The slide is then analyzed after exposure to the specimen to determine the presence or absence of the nonparaffinophilic microorganism. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the sensitivity of at least one nonparaffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to different antimicrobial agent, and predetermined quantities thereof. The method includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous solution and adjusting the solution to mimic the in vivo clinical conditions of said patient. The method further includes inoculating the solution with the specimen and placing into the receptacle (i) a slide coated with a carbon source and (ii) a predetermined quantity of an antimicrobial agent to be tested. By observing the nonparaffinophilic microorganism growth or lack thereof on the slide, it can be determined whether the predetermined quantity of the antimicrobial agent is effective in inhibiting growth of the nonparaffinophilic microorganism on the slide. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in a specimen taken from a patient. The method includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution and adjusting the solution to mimic the in vivo clinical conditions of the patient. The method further includes inoculating the solution with the specimen and then placing in the receptacle a slide coated with a carbon source to bait the nonparaffinophilic microorganism. The slide is then analyzed after exposure to the specimen to determine the presence or absence of the nonparaffinophilic microorganism. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of automatically testing the sensitivity of a paraffinophilic microorganism to different antimicrobial agents and concentrations thereof includes a plurality of receptacles each containing an amount of liquid medium, an antimicrobial agent to be tested and the microorganism to be tested. A paraffin containing slide is placed in each receptacle after which incubation is effected. A light scatter sensor is employed to automatically and sequentially monitor the extent of microorganism growth on the slides and the growth on each slide is employed to determine which antimicrobial agent and which concentration is effective to resist growth of the paraffinophilic microorganism. The slides are moved sequentially in operative relationship with the light scatter sensor while resisting rotational movement of the slides. Positive and negative control slides are preferably employed as is a computer in receiving and processing the results of the slide testing. Related apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the sensitivity of MAI to different antimicrobial agents and dosages thereof is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of test tubes adapted to contain an amount of an antimicrobial agent to be tested and MAI complex organisms to be assayed and a separate paraffin coated slide adapted for placement in each of the test tubes. The growth of the MAI complex organisms on the slide can be used to determine the concentration of the antimicrobial agent necessary to resist MAI complex organism growth on the slide. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of speciating and identifying MAI in a specimen comprises placing a paraffin coated slide in a receptacle containing a sterile aqueous solution inoculated with the specimen, analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen to determine the presence or absence of atypical Mycobacteria, and after the analysis step, if atypical Mycobacteria are determined to be present, performing at least one speciation assay to ascertain if the atypical Mycobacteria are MAI. A related apparatus is also disclosed for speciating and identifying MAI in a specimen comprising a paraffin-wax coated slide, a tube having a sterile aqueous solution contained therein, the tube adapted to hold the slide, and at least one speciation assay means for performing an assay to determine the presence or absence of MAI in the specimen after the specimen is introduced into the tube holding the solution and the slide.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the sensitivity of MAI to different antimicrobial agents and dosages thereof is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of test tubes adapted to contain an amount of an antimicrobial agent to be tested and MAI complex organisms to be assayed and a separate paraffin coated slide adapted for placement in each of the test tubes. The growth of the MAI complex organisms on the slide can be used to determine the concentration of the antimicrobial agent necessary to resist MAI complex organism growth on the slide. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of speciating and identifying MAI in a specimen comprises placing a paraffin coated slide in a receptacle containing a sterile aqueous solution inoculated with the specimen, analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen to determine the presence or absence of atypical Mycobacteria, and after the analysis step, if atypical Mycobacteria are determined to be present, performing at least one speciation assay to ascertain if the atypical Mycobacteria are MAI. A related apparatus is also disclosed for speciating and identifying MAI in a specimen comprising a paraffin-wax coated slide, a tube having a sterile aqueous solution contained therein, the tube adapted to hold the slide, and at least one speciation assay means for performing an assay to determine the presence or absence of MAI in the specimen after the specimen is introduced into the tube holding the solution and the slide.