Diagnostic Bacteriology Research Programme

​The Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory performs research in the fields of antimicrobial resistance and molecular typing. Work carried out here has contributed significantly to understanding the local epidemiology of carbapenemase-producing Gram negative bacilli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, and Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. In the past, we have notably provided support for the investigation of outbreaks of eye infection caused by Fusarium spp. and microsporidia. We are also interested in zoonotic infections, virulent community-acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, and the role of the environment in nosocomial infections.

Reference:

1. Koh TH, Babini GS, Woodford N, Sng LH, Hall LM, Livermore DM.Carbapenem-hydrolysing IMP-1 beta-lactamase in Klebsiella pneumoniae from Singapore. Lancet. 1999 Jun 19;353(9170):2162.


2. Hsu LY, Tristan A, Koh TH, Bes M, Etienne J, Kurup A, Tan TT, Tan BH. Community associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Singapore. Emerg Infect Dis. 2005 Feb;11(2):341-2.


3. Koh TH, Low BS, Leo N, Hsu LY, Lin RT, Krishnan P, Chan D, Nadarajah M, Toh SL, Ong KH. Molecular epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in Singapore. Pathology. 2009;41(7):676-80.


4. Hsu LY, Lui SW, Lee JL, Hedzlyn HM, Kong DH, Shameen S, Siti NP, Tan WY, Toh XY, Koh TY, Koh TH. Adult invasive pneumococcal disease pre- and peri-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. J Med Microbiol. 2009 Jan;58(Pt 1):101-4.


5. Jureen R, Koh TH, Wang G, Chai LY, Tan AL, Chai T, Wong YW, Wang Y, Tambyah PA, Beuerman R, Tan D. Use of multiple methods for genotyping Fusarium during an outbreak of contact lens associated fungal keratitis in Singapore. BMC Infect Dis. 2008 Jul 15;8:92.


6. Tan J, Lee P, Lai Y, Hishamuddin P, Tay J, Tan AL, Chan KS, Lin R, Tan D, Cutter J, Goh KT. Microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis after rugby tournament, Singapore. Emerg Infect Dis. 2013;19(9):1484-6.


7. Koh TH, Sng LH, Yuen SM, Thomas CK, Tan PL, Tan SH, Wong NS. Streptococcal cellulitis following preparation of fresh raw seafood. Zoonoses Public Health. 2009 May;56(4):206-8.