Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, devises and kits for separating, accumulating, characterizing and/or identifying microorganisms known to be present or that may be present in a test sample. The method of the invention comprises optional lysing non-microorganism cells and/or particulates that may be present in a test sample, followed by a subsequent filtration step for isolation and/or accumulation of microorganisms. In one embodiment, a filtration and sample transfer device is used for isolation and/or accumulation of microorganisms by filtration. Once the microorganisms have been filtered for isolation and/or accumulation microorganisms, the isolated and/or accumulated microorganisms can be analyzing to acquire measurements for the characterization and/or identification of said microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for separating, characterizing and/or identifying microorganisms in a test sample. The method of the invention comprises an optional lysis step for lysing non-microorganism cells that may be present in a test sample, followed by a subsequent separation step. The method may be useful for the separation, characterization and/or identification of microorganisms from complex samples such as blood-containing culture media. The method may also be useful for the physical separation and/or enrichment of two or more different or individual microorganism species contained in a mixed test sample. The invention further provides for spectroscopic interrogation of the separated microorganism sample(s) to produce measurements of the microorganism and characterizing and/or identifying the microorganism(s) in the sample using said spectroscopic measurements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for separating, characterizing and/or identifying microorganisms in a test sample. The method of the invention comprises an optional lysis step for lysing non-microorganism cells that may be present in a test sample, followed by a subsequent separation step. The method may be useful for the separation, characterization and/or identification of microorganisms from complex samples such as blood-containing culture media. The invention further provides for Raman spectroscopic interrogation of the separated microorganism sample to produce measurements of the microorganism and characterizing and/or identifying the microorganism in the sample using said Raman spectroscopic measurements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for separating, characterizing and/or identifying microorganisms in a test sample. The method of the invention comprises an optional lysis step for lysing non-microorganism cells that may be present in a test sample, followed by a subsequent separation step. The method may be useful for the separation, characterization and/or identification of microorganisms from complex samples such as blood-containing culture media. The invention further provides for interrogation of the separated microorganism sample by mass spectrometry to produce a mass spectrum of the microorganism and characterizing and/or identifying the microorganism in the sample using the mass spectrum obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for detecting bacterial pathogens in a sample. A preferred method includes the steps of: (a) suspending a sample comprising a medium and microorganisms, the microorganisms suspected of comprising bacterial pathogens; (b) mixing the sample, an adsorbent and a first solution in a vessel; (c) separating the adsorbent and said microorganisms from the medium and the bulk of the first solution and removing the medium and the bulk of the first solution from the vessel; (d) adding a second solution to the vessel to resuspend the adsorbent and the microorganisms; and (e) detecting agglutination of the adsorbent wherein the agglutination of the adsorbent signifies bacterial pathogens are present in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for detecting Staphylococcus aureus in a sample. A preferred method includes the steps of: (a) mixing a sample comprising a medium and microorganisms with a first solution in a vessel, the microorganisms suspected of comprising Staphylococcus aureus; (b) separating the microorganisms from the medium and the bulk of the first solution and removing the medium and the bulk of the first solution from the vessel; (c) adding a second solution to the vessel to resuspend the microorganisms; and (d) detecting Staphylococcus aureus in the resulting suspension of step (c) by using an agglutination test.