Answers from the Lab

Clinical microbiologist and pathologist Audrey Schuetz, M.D., discusses Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ new culture-based extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) testing that screens for the presence of multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacteria in donor stool intended for fecal microbiota transplantation. The screening test is performed on stool or swab samples taken from around the anus and is used to detect the colonization or carriage of ESBL bacteria that could jeopardize the outcomes of fecal microbiota transplants, especially in patients who carry ESBL bacteria in their gut without getting sick.

Show Notes

(00:32)
 Thank you for ending your introduction, Dr. Pritt. Today, we will be discussing extended spectrum beta lactamase testing at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. But before we get started, Dr. Schuetz, could you provide our listeners with a little bit about you and your background?
 
(01:08)
 Thank you for sharing your background with us. Can you provide a brief overview of this testing?
 
(03:27)
 Thank you, Dr. Schuetz for this overview. Could you describe which patients should have this testing, and when should it be performed?
 
(05:22)
 This is extremely helpful; especially the ability of the testing to be utilized with investigational new drug applications. So, I got two questions for you. Could you elaborate a bit further on how this testing improves upon previous testing approaches, and are there other options on the market? If so, what makes our testing different or unique?
 
(06:46)
 I appreciate your explanation of those differences. As we conclude our interview here, could you describe for us again, the clinical action that is enabled by the results of this test via traditional patient setting or in an investigational protocol that might be underway? 

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A Mayo Clinic curated podcast sharing Mayo Clinic knowledge and advancements on the state of testing, science, and people who are making it happen behind the scenes.