Abstract: A method of determining the presence of a paraffinophilic organism in a body specimen involves introducing portions of the body specimen into a plurality of receptacles (50-57) which contain a sterile broth and antibiotics. Subsequently, one paraffin coated slide (18) is introduced into each receptacle. After observing organism growth on the paraffin coated slides, at least one slide is subjected to an alcohol-acid fastness test to determine whether the organism is an alcohol-acid fast, an acid-fast organism or a non-acid-fast/non-alcohol-acid fast organism. If it is determined that an alcohol-acid fast organism is present on the first slide, a tellurite reduction assay is performed on a second slide to determine the possibility of a presence of paraffinophilic organism on the second slide.

Abstract: A method of inducing apoptosis in a cell. The method includes providing an impenetrable and nonmetabolizable material, such as paraffin or agar, and introducing the cell into a contacting relationship with the material. The method also includes providing a substrate and coating the substrate with the impenetrable and nonmetabolizable material.

Abstract: A method of bioremediating an organic hazardous substance present in an aqueous environment having contained therein a microorganism is provided which comprises introducing into the aqueous environment a water insoluble, substantially nontoxic organic material. Further associated methods of bioremediating contaminated water using a tank containing a water insoluble, substantially nontoxic organic material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining a sensitivity of a nonparaffinophilic hydrophobic microorganism to an antimicrobial agent. The method includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous broth including a carbon source and introducing the nonparaffinophilic hydrophobic microorganism into the receptacle. The method further includes placing into the receptacle (i) a slide coated with a hydrophobic material and (ii) a predetermined quantity of the antimicrobial agent to be tested. By observing the nonparaffinophilic hydrophobic 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 hydrophobic microorganism on the slide. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The method of the invention involves providing a first receptacle and a second receptacle. The first receptacle contains a sterile aqueous broth and the second receptacle contains an aqueous broth including a carbon source. The method then includes placing into the first receptacle a first support surface having a paraffin wax coating thereon and placing into the second receptacle a second support surface having a hydrophobic material coating thereon. A body specimen, such as sputum, is then introduced into each of the first and second receptacles. The presence of a nonparaffinophilic hydrophobic microorganism in the body specimen is determined by observing (i) a lack of microorganism growth on the paraffin coated material of the first support surface and (ii) a presence of microorganism growth on the hydrophobic material coating of the second support surface. The presence of the nonparaffinophilic hydrophobic microorganism can be further confirmed by performing a DNA extraction.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in a specimen taken from a patient includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution that does not contain a carbon source and inoculating the aqueous solution with the specimen. A slide having bound thereto a carbon source is placed into the receptacle. By analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen, the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in the specimen can be determined. An associated apparatus 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: A method for determining a sensitivity of a nonparaffinophilic hydrophobic microorganism to an antimicrobial agent. The method includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous broth including a carbon source and introducing the nonparaffinophilic hydrophobic microorganism into the receptacle. The method further includes placing into the receptacle (i) a slide coated with a hydrophobic material and (ii) a predetermined quantity of the antimicrobial agent to be tested. By observing the nonparaffinophilic hydrophobic 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 hydrophobic microorganism on the slide. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence of a paraffinophilic 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 then further includes inoculating the solution with the specimen and then placing in the receptacle a paraffin coated slide to bait the paraffinophilic microorganism. The slide is then analyzed after exposure to the specimen to determine the presence or absence of the paraffinophilic microorganism. 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 includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution and inoculating the aqueous solution with the specimen. A slide coated with a carbon source is placed into the receptacle. By analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen, the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in the specimen can be determined. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the antimicrobial agent sensitivity of a paraffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient. The apparatus includes a receptacle containing an aqueous solution, an amount of antimicrobial agent to be tested and the specimen. The apparatus further consists of a paraffin coated slide placed into the receptacle.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in a specimen taken from a patient includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution that does not contain a carbon source and inoculating the aqueous solution with the specimen. A slide having bound thereto a carbon source is placed into the receptacle. By analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen, the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in the specimen can be determined. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The method of the invention involves providing a first receptacle and a second receptacle. The first receptacle contains a sterile aqueous broth and the second receptacle contains an aqueous broth including a carbon source. The method then includes placing into the first receptacle a first support surface having a paraffin wax coating thereon and placing into the second receptacle a second support surface having a hydrophobic material coating thereon. A body specimen, such as sputum, is then introduced into each of the first and second receptacles. The presence of a nonparaffinophilic hydrophobic microorganism in the body specimen is determined by observing (i) a lack of microorganism growth on the paraffin coated material of the first support surface and (ii) a presence of microorganism growth on the hydrophobic material coating of the second support surface.An associated kit is also disclosed.

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 adjusting the solution to mimic the in vivo clinical conditions of the patient. The method then includes inoculating the solution with the specimen and then 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: An apparatus for determining sensitivity of at least one paraffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to different antimicrobial agents and predetermined quantities thereof. The apparatus includes a receptacle adapted to contain an aqueous solution, an amount of antimicrobial agent to be tested and the specimen. The aqueous solution is adjusted to mimic the in vivo clinical conditions of the patient. The apparatus further includes a paraffin coated slide adapted to being placed in the receptacle.

Abstract: A method of testing a body specimen taken from a patient for the presence or absence of a microorganism. A transport/isolator assembly is provided which includes a receptacle and a baiting assembly including a baiting section having disposed thereon a coating material. A baiting liquid and the body specimen are then introduced into the receptacle. The method further comprises securing the baiting assembly to the receptacle so that at least a portion of the coated section is introduced into the baiting liquid. The transport/isolator assembly containing the baiting liquid and the body specimen are then transported to a laboratory for subsequent observation of the coated section for growth or lack thereof of the microorganism. A further method of processing the body specimen and an associated isolator/transport assembly kit as well as an associated isolator/transport assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the sensitivity of at least one nonparaffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to an antimicrobial agent. The method includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous solution that does not contain a carbon source and inoculating the solution with the specimen. The method further includes placing into the receptacle (i) a slide having bound thereto 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 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: A method of determining the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in a specimen taken from a patient includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution and inoculating the aqueous solution with the specimen. A slide coated with a carbon source is placed into the receptacle. By analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen, the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in the specimen can be determined. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence of a paraffinophilic microorganism in a specimen taken from a patient is provided. 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 then further includes inoculating the solution with the specimen and then placing in the receptacle a paraffin coated slide to bait the paraffinophilic microorganism. The slide is then analyzed after exposure to the specimen to determine the presence or absence of the paraffinophilic microorganism. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.