Category Archive:

E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak at Multiple US McDonald’s Locations

In October, a multi-state outbreak of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), or E. coli 0157:H7 was reported by the CDC related to McDonald’s quarter pound burgers. Initial testing indicated that the likely culprits were the beef patties or the slivered onions

Posted in Clinical Microbiology

Newly Uncovered Mechanism for Antifungal Resistance

Fungal diseases are tough to treat. Antifungal drugs are few and far between and research suggests that fungal infections will only grow more common as our climate continues to change. Development of new and more effective antifungal medications will improve

Posted in Clinical Microbiology

Thanks for Visiting: CPHL Oman

Over the past two weeks, CMPT has been hosting Dr. Noora D. Al Bulushi and Omaima Yaqoob Al-Harthi from Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL) in Oman, who were the most recent participants in our International EQA Training program. Started in

Posted in News

WHO’s New Bacterial Priority Pathogens List

In May of this year, the World Health Organization released an updated version of the Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL), which classifies bacteria that pose the greatest risk to human health worldwide. To create the updated list, WHO used a

Posted in Clinical Microbiology

Hospitalized Patients Likely to Spread MRSA to Family Members

A study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found that family members of hospitalized patients were at a higher risk of becoming infected with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), whether the patient had been diagnosed with an MRSA infection or

Posted in Clinical Microbiology

Welcome, Dr. Ross Davison and Dr. Mathew Diggle, to the Clinical Bacteriology Technical Committee

We would like to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Davison and Dr. Diggle who have volunteered their time to become part of our Clinical Bacteriology technical committee. Dr. Davison is an associate professor with the department of pathology, medicine

Posted in News

Why should cannabis testing labs participate in Proficiency Testing?

All laboratory testing requires consistent and objective quality assurance oversight and evaluation to ensure test results are accurate, timely, and reliable and help prevent unnecessary harm to the population. Regardless of industry regulation, enrolment in a PT program has invaluable

Posted in Industry Microbiology

The Case for Accreditation of Cannabis Testing Laboratories

Analytical testing is often regarded as an important requirement in terms of health and safety for consumers. It is often seen as part of the checks and balances that help build trust between the consumer, the industry and governing bodies.

Posted in Industry Microbiology

Why Do We Send Paper Challenges?

The recently reviewed ISO 18159:2022 standard (Medical laboratories – Requirements for quality and competence) indicates that testing laboratories should participate in EQA programmes and that those EQA programmes should, to the extent possible, check the pre-examination, examination, and post-examination procedures.

Posted in Quality

Lab Quality Management and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Courses – Registration Opening in September, 2024

Our Laboratory Quality Management (LQM) and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) courses, offered by POLQM, will be open for registration in September! Both courses will begin in January 2025. You can find more details on the POLQM website. (LQM Course |

Posted in Continuing Education