In February, Russian bacteriologists ArtemV. Lyamin (Samara) and Elena P. Davydova (Saint Petersburg) visited Israel with the aim of sharing experience in microbiological diagnostics of complications in CF patients.
The specialists visited the pediatric department and clinical microbiology laboratory at Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital and examined the specifics of organizing studies conducted with CF patients. “The studies are done on a monthly basis. The species identification of isolated microflora happens once a year.For all other cases, species identification is done only in the event of an extraction of new microorganisms (not typical for a given patient)”, the microbiologists said, recounting their impressions.
A separate and very important division, which was shown in the laboratory, deals with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The Israeli colleagues provided a detailed account and demonstrated all the stages of their work with NTM. They afforded the opportunity to take photos of the protocols of the studies, all the required materials and mediums, and showed the growth of the most typical and rare microbacteria.
“As a result of this work, we were able to gather data that we are unable to collect in Russia and that make it possible to commence an NTM prevalence study among CF patients in Russia”, says Artem Lyamin.
“The adaptations for work with NTM in a standard microbiology laboratory were an especially valuable experience, since the bulk of studies in Russia are conducted in the laboratories of the tuberculosis control service. Furthermore, our Israeli colleagues shared the results of their own observations”.
During their internship, our specialists visited the outpatient clinic and inpatient department at Hadassah Har Нa Tzofim Hospital. “A significant amount of time was spent discussing the specifics of aminoglycoside therapy for CF patients. The Israeli specialists told us about the organization of drug monitoring and the adjustment of aminoglycoside dosage (based on the results of microbiological studies and drug monitoring).
The data received are set to be adapted at the Samara Region CF center.