Microbiology laboratory

The Microbiology Laboratory carries out an important healthcare activity focused on the etiological diagnosis of the different infectious diseases, with the introduction of new techniques that allow a rapid diagnosis, fundamentally for the optimization of antibiotic treatments and to prevent the transmission of these diseases at the in-hospital AND in the community.

We are actively part of the multidisciplinary team within the Research Group on Community and Healthcare-Related Infections, which aims to cross-study the pathogenic mechanisms of some of the most prevalent infections in our environment, from from an epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic perspective.

As a teaching activity, we participate in the training of undergraduate and postgraduate students, and within the laboratory we train clinical analysis residents and technical staff.

Microbiology Laboratory Team

• Emma Padilla Esteba - Head of Microbiology section and responsible for the urinary tract area.
• Silvia Capilla Rubio - Responsible for the area of ​​infections of soft parts and osteoarticular, and of the area of ​​sexually transmitted infections.
• Antonio Casabella Pernas - Responsible for the area of ​​respiratory infections, mycobacteria and fungi. PROA team.
• Elisa Nuez Zaragoza - Responsible for the area of ​​infections of the gastrointestinal tract, and serological diagnosis.

Senior specialist technicians in the laboratory

• Javiera Rocio Araya Paz
• Andrea Caro Conesa
• Samira El-Baghati
• Pilar Ferreros Fauquer
• Noelia Gonzalez Hernando
• Sonia Hijano Ortega
• Mercè Lloret Grau
• Imma Pons Viñas
• Cristina Rodríguez Garcia.

Sexually transmitted infections

Responsible: Sílvia Capilla

• Diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases: culture and molecular study

Microbiological study of sterile liquids

Responsible: Sílvia Capilla

Respiratory infections

Responsible: Antonio Casabella

• Microbiological diagnosis of viral and bacterial respiratory infections culture and molecular study, including mycobacteria and fungi

Identification of sepsis microorganisms and antibiotic sensitivity study

Responsible: Antonio Casabella

• Diagnosis of sepsis, rapid identification techniques of the causative microorganism and study of antibiotic sensitivities.

Microbiological studies of environmental cultures and screening

Responsible: Emma Padilla

Infectious serology

Responsible: Elisa Nuez

• ECLIA technology (electrochemiluminescence) and manual techniques.

Gastrointestinal infections

Responsible: Elisa Nuez

• Conventional culture, antigen detection and nucleic acid techniques for the identification of the main bacteria and viruses that cause gastroenteritis

Urine cultures

Responsible: Emma Padilla

• Diagnosis of urinary tract infections, culture techniques for the identification of microorganisms causing urinary infections and the study of antibiotic sensitivities.

Research

Main lines of research

• Epidemiology of antibiotic resistance from the perspective of One Health.
• Study of healthcare associated infections (IRES).
• Study of infectious endocarditis.
• Study of the presence of antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria in the city's wastewater (GAUSS study).

Teaching

• Undergraduate: Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
• Clinical Analysis Residents
• Courses for advanced laboratory technicians