Translational Research - Université de Genève

Bacteriology
Jacques Schrenzel
(Clinical Bacteriology Lab)
Clinically relevant and efficient microbiological diagnosis
The bacteriology lab is a production-oriented laboratory that aims to provide rapid and clinically
relevant bacterial diagnosis for patients at the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG). We host the
National Reference Center for Meningococci. Efforts are concentrated on reducing turn-around
times by implementing state-of-the art methods such as MALDI-TOF, PCR-ESI-MS or other
molecular methods before they are commercially available. We also have a track record of assay
development in the research lab followed by successful technology transfer to the routine lab,
mostly for infection control purposes (detection and genotyping of MRSA, Clostridium difficile,
ESBL, etc.). We always pay particular attention to building upon local competences (infection
control service, etc.) and expanding them by creating international consortia whenever needed.
22 Université de Genève • Faculté de médecine
Bacteriology
Afshari A, Schrenzel J, Ieven M, Harbarth S (2012) Bench-to-bedside review: Rapid molecular
diagnostics for bloodstream infection - a new frontier? Crit Care 29 :16-222
Poirel L, Schrenzel J, Cherkaoui A, Bernabeu S, Renzi G, Nordmann P (2011) Molecular analysis
of NDM-1-producing enterobacterial isolates from Geneva, Switzerland. J Antimicrob
Chemother 66:1730-3.
Kaleta EJ, Clark AE, Cherkaoui A, Wysocki VH, Ingram EL, Schrenzel J, Wolk DM (2011)
Comparative Analysis of PCR-Electrospray Ionization/Mass Spectrometry (MS) and MALDI-
TOF/MS for the Identification of Bacteria and Yeast from Positive Blood Culture Bottles. Clin
Chem. 57:1057-67.
Focke M, Stumpf F, Faltin B, Reith P, Bamarni D, Wadle S, Mueller C, Reinecke H, Schrenzel J,
François P, Mark D, Roth G, Zengerle R and Von Stetten F (2010) Microstructuring of polymer
films for highly sensitive genotyping by real-time PCR on a centrifugal microfluidic platform.
Lab-on-Chip 10:2519-2526.
Cherkaoui A, Emonet S, Hibbs J, Tangomo M, Girard M, François P , and Schrenzel J (2010)
Comparison of two Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass
Spectrometry Methods with Conventional Phenotypic Identification for Routine Bacterial
Speciation. J Clin Microb 48:1169-1175.
Ceroni D, Cherkaoui A, Ferey S, Kaelin A and J. Schrenzel (2010) Kingella kingae osteoarticular
infections in young children: clinical features and contribution of a new specific real-time
PCR assay to the diagnosis. J Pediatr Orthop 30:301-304.
Université de Genève • Faculté de médecine
23