1. Using your textbook, Chapter 12, as your guide create a chart labeled and saved as "Identification of Microorganisms" which can be used on the next exam which should include:
   1. name of organism,
   2. disease,
   3. clinical sample(s) used for testing,
   4. brief description of target for amplification,
   5. name of molecular test procedure/assay used,
   6. compare sensitivity and specificity of assay to traditional laboratory tests such as culture and serology,
   7. number of days/hours test can be performed to get positive results,
   8. limitations of procedure (false positive and/or negative) and
   9. whether the procedure may be used routinely in a clinical laboratory.
   10. Submit your chart to the "Assignments" section of BlackBoard. You may add additional criteria as you wish.
2. Use your textbook to create a chart of the different types of strain typing methods used for epidemiological studies of microorganism. Label and save the chart as "Strain Typing Methods". This can be used on the next exam and should include:
   1. Brief description of method.
   2. Advantages
   3. Disadvantages
   4. Microorganisms used (if given).
   5. Submit your chart to the "Assignments" section of BlackBoard..
3. Visit Gendia for a list of molecular tests and other information. You may find your gene of interest for your final project.
4. Visit the CDC's PulseNet web site.
5. Review this site which gives an overview of Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis
6. Review Subtyping of Listeria monocytogenes by Multilocus Sequence Typing to enhance your understanding of the process of molecular genotyping of microorganisms.
7. Visit PubMSLT - This site hosts publicly accessible Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) databases and software. It provides ameans of accessing these databases in common formats suitable for easy linking and importation to local resources. It also has genetic codes for many organisms.
8. Review the Case Studies and Study Questions on pages 300-302 in your textbook.

A generalized graph of the relationship between HIV copies (viral load) and CD4 counts over the average course of untreated HIV infection; any particular individual's disease course may vary considerably.

CD4+ T Lymphocyte count (cells/mm³)
HIV RNA copies per mL of plasma

Last Update: February 12, 2012
Web Author: Terry Kotrla, MS, MT(ASCP)BB
Comments: kotrla@austincc.edu
Copyright ©2007 by Terry Kotrla - All Rights Reserved