Microbiology & Diagnostics

Innovations and Product Launches

Our focus

“When we bring new technology to the market, we always try to be better, faster and more cost-effective than existing technologies and that means we have the patient in focus.“


Dr. Wolfgang Pusch, President Bruker Microbiology & Infection Diagnostics

MALDI Biotyper® - comprehensive routine microbial identification, faster than ever

Our continuous R&D activities on MALDI Biotyper® have dramatically increased the speed of microorganism identification by the introduction of the powerful MBT Compass HT IVD* software, boosting the analysis speed of the MALDI Biotyper® sirius systems to up to 600 samples/hour.

Traditionally, the MALDI Biotyper® Reference Libraries have been updated by an impressive number of new reference spectra, with a focus this year on broadening the coverage of the intraspecies diversity, while increasing the identification performance.

The MBT IVD Library version 2023 has undergone even further quality improvements at the level of individual strain level entries, and covers a total number of 4,239 species, complemented by

  • NEW: A mighty IVD solution is now available with the MBT HT Filamentous Fungi IVD Module*, facilitating the identification of 222 species/ species groups of filamentous fungi with the easy yet powerful MyT sample preparation procedure, contributing to high identification success rates
  • The MBT HT Mycobacteria IVD Module* covering 182 Mycobacterium species
  • The MBT IVD Library Extension covering 5 species from 5 genera of highly pathogenic microorganisms.

The NEW MBT Mycobacteria IVD Kit* facilitates sample preparation for Mycobacterium spp. cultivated in liquid cultures as well as on solid media. Unlike other procedures requiring boiling, the safe inactivation method holds a convenient and user-friendly incubation of the bacteria with an Inactivation Reagent. Additionally, the overall hands-on time is reduced from more than 1 hour to less than 45 minutes, yielding excellent mass spectra for sensitive and reliable mycobacteria identification by the IVD MALDI Biotyper®.

The MBT Compass Library** (RUO) version 2023 has likewise been improved, covering a total number of 4,320 species, complemented by

  • The MBT HT Filamentous Fungi Module** (RUO) covering 222 species/ species groups
  • The MBT HT Mycobacteria Module** (RUO) covering 182 Mycobacterium species
  • The Security-Relevant (SR) Library covering 12 highly pathogenic species from 10 genera

Our market-leading MALDI Biotyper is now equipped with a new zero-button IDealTune™ feature securing optimal performance without extra cost or effort. IDealTune automatically finetunes the key parameters of the MALDI-TOF without any user intervention, without dedicated tuning samples, without time-consuming manual tuning, even without extra costs.

The outstanding wide mass range resolution achieved by the MALDI Biotyper® allows powerful post-processing activities by the MBT HT Subtyping IVD Module*, revealing information hidden in the spectra. The MBT HT Subtyping IVD Module* looks for decisive peaks in the identified mass spectrum or triggers a sophisticated additional algorithm, to detect specific resistance markers or for reliable differentiation of highly related species.

The current applications of this continuously expanding module comprise:

  • Detection of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli
  • Bacteroides fragilis cfiA subtyping
  • Differentiation of Mycobacterium chimaera from Mycobacterium intracellulare
  • Differentiation of Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. mitis_oralis and S. pseudopneumoniae

 

 

MALDI Biotyper sirius
MBT Mycobacteria IVD Kit

IR Biotyper® - enabling preventive epidemiology

The latest IR Biotyper®***  software allows for seamless integration with the MALDI Biotyper® software, and conjoint feeding of data into the LIMS.

A major step forward for strain typing is the availability of predefined strain or serotype classification, based on artificial neural network (ANN). The most recent IR Biotyper® software provides classifiers for serogrouping/ serotyping of Legionella, Listeria, Streptococcus and Salmonella. In addition, customers can build their own classifiers according to their needs. Powerful visualization tools such as 3D scatter plots are supporting the fast interpretation of large data sets by unsupervised tools such as PCA (Principal Component Analysis) or supervised tools such as LDA (Linear Discriminant Analysis).

IR Biotyper®

UMIC® - high accuracy single drug MIC testing

Multiple initiatives are ongoing to fight against the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) challenge, and getting accurate AST results is critical for antibiotic stewardship teams to preserve the long-term efficacy of antibiotics. UMIC® is Bruker´s brand for high accuracy single drug MIC testing, based on the broth microdilution reference method. These ready-to-use single strips are a perfect complement to the routine AST workflow of a clinical microbiology laboratory. The flexible solution provides EUCAST and CLSI compliance, simplicity and convenient logistics, helping to make the right decision regarding patient treatment escalation or de-escalation in the context of AMR. The current UMIC® portfolio comprises five antibiotics and antibiotic combinations: colistin, piperacillin-tazobactam, vancomycin/teicoplanin, daptomycin and cefiderocol.

From a drug development perspective, cefiderocol is one of the most promising antibiotics, remaining active even when facing the most challenging carbapenem resistance mechanisms. To support antibiotic stewardship, clinical microbiologists are looking for reliable and accurate cefiderocol MIC testing in full compliance with EUCAST and CLSI standards. Bruker´s UMIC® Cefiderocol* and the associated iron-depleted Mueller Hinton broth offer an easy-to-implement solution and can conveniently be tested along with UMIC® Colistin* to deliver trusted MIC results when it matters most.

UMIC®

Next generation multiplexing powered by LiquidArray® 

Bruker’s pioneering LiquidArray® technology is an innovative approach to detecting microorganisms, that utilizes advanced probe and thermocycling technologies. It maximizes the multiplexing capability of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and offers at-a-glance software read-outs that provide comprehensive yet easy-to-understand results.

Bruker’s offering powered by LiquidArray®:

The LiquidArray® Gastrointestinal* assay detects up to 26 pathogens from stool samples in a two-well format, supporting the throughput needs of the routine laboratory. The test allows detection of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and pathogen-associated toxins in a single protocol.

The FluoroType® STI* assay detects 9 different targets, covering 7 pathogens, in a single well. For Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, dual target detection is provided. The accurate diagnosis of
N. gonorrhoeae presents a particular diagnostic challenge. This is due to high recombination rates between different Neisseria species, and non-pathogenic Neisseria species colonizing the pharynx. FluoroType® STI* provides confidence in N. gonorrhoeae reporting by requiring the detection of two independent genes to return a N. gonorrhoeae positive result.

We have further expanded our comprehensive tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria PCR diagnostics portfolio; the portfolio is unique as it includes the only leprosy molecular diagnostic test focusing on resistance in the market. Other highlights include that the portfolio enables M. tuberculosis complex detection, which is also possible in combination with first-line resistance identification (with the WHO endorsed FluoroType® MTBDR VER 2.0* assay) and differentiation of nontuberculous mycobacteria.

The latest addition to the portfolio is the FluoroType® Mycobacteria VER 1.0*. The new assay is a semi-automated qualitative in vitro test for the detection and differentiation of 32 clinically relevant nontuberculous mycobacteria and the detection of M. tuberculosis complex from cultured material in one well. The assay is also powered by our unique LiquidArray® technology. Extraction is performed with our FluoroLyse* extraction kit followed by analysis by FluoroCycler® XT*.

PCR workflow from patient sample to result 

Our fully validated and integrated FluoroType® workflow* offers a complete solution from patient sample to data analysis. Automated extraction is performed with the GenoXtract® fleXT*, which generates ready-to-use PCR plates for the FluoroCycler® XT* with minimal hands-on time. The FluoroCycler® XT* allows processing of up to 96 samples, has five detection channels for multiplex PCR testing and provides a fully automated analysis. The FluoroSoftware® XT-IVD* generates results at a glance, in an easy-to-use, easy-to-interpret test report. The workflow has been designed for rapid laboratory set-up and high-throughput testing.

Fungiplex® - Tackle invasive fungal diseases (IFD)

Bruker offers a wide range of real-time PCR assays to target the most prevalent fungal pathogens and resistance markers, to tackle invasive fungal diseases (IFD).

With a continuous focus on strengthening our Fungiplex® portfolio, Bruker will soon launch an IVD version of Fungiplex® Mucorales RUO**.

  • Fungiplex® Mucorales RUO** – IVD Coming Soon

Typically affecting immunocompromised patients, diagnosis of IFD is challenging due to poor sensitivity and time-to-result of conventional diagnostics. Delayed diagnosis and treatment result in poor patient outcomes. This test offers an accurate comprehensive analysis of these emerging opportunistic fungal pathogens, enabling early detection and treatment of Mucormycosis (black fungus).

SARS-CoV-2 assays for the FluoroType® workflow

FluoroType® SARS-CoV-2 plus (IVD)*

FluoroType® SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV (IVD)*

FluoroType® SARS-CoV-2 Q (coming soon)*

Launched at the onset of the pandemic to determine SARS-CoV-2 presence

Simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenzas A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Quantitative real-time PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2, directly from oro- and nasopharyngeal swabs

Availability

Please contact your local representative for availability of these new products.

*      Please contact your local representative for availability in your country. Not for sale in the USA.

**    For Research Use Only. Not for use in clinical diagnostic procedures.

***  Not for use in clinical diagnostic procedures.