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RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES

Rapid diagnostics and AMR testing from the blood culture bench

Dr Neil Bentley OBE offers a personal reflection on the impact of rapid diagnostics and antimicrobial resistance testing from the blood culture bench.

Candida auris: a selection of current research into this drug-resistant fungal pathogen

In the December 2023 issue of this magazine, Markus Meyer looked at how early and accurate identification can assist in controlling outbreaks of Candida auris, thanks to advances in polymerase chain reaction testing and strain typing technology. Here, to complement previous coverage, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a small selection of recent research interest in this important fungal agent.

Rapid diagnostics – warts and all: a microbiology conference preview

This year’s Annual Microbiology Conference of the British Society for Microbial Technology will be held at UKHSA in Colindale, North London, on 2 May. As usual, it will cover a range of different topics but this year there is a particular focus on the use of rapid testing in the diagnosis of infectious disease and the detection of antibiotic resistance.

The developing market landscape for HIV rapid diagnostic tests

A recently published report into the HIV rapid diagnostic test market landscape, produced in coordination with the World Health Organization, aims for a healthier, more sustainable market. Here, Pathology in Practice presents a summary of the report, including the current state of HIV testing and aims for the near future.

Benefits of using saliva to diagnose hormone imbalances

Hormone testing is an important diagnostic tool, but there are limitations to using blood for such tests. In this article, Dr Dajana Domik looks at the benefits of saliva diagnostics and the automation technologies that can streamline analysis workflows, as well as sharing the details of a testing facility success story.

Learning from external quality assessment: a case of Hb Knossos

Education is an important aspect of the services provided by UK NEQAS schemes operating across laboratory medicine. Here, Bashori Rahman and Barbara De la Salle provide an example using a rare haemoglobin variant circulated as part of their molecular EQA scheme.

Metrological traceability: examining the way to give our results meaning

With increased awareness of metrological traceability, both from an IVD manufacturer and end-user perspective, improvements in analytical methods are possible. In this second article in his new series on measurement uncertainty, Stephen MacDonald provides a detailed overview of the issues involved.

Expanding the use of genomic sequencing for improved cancer treatment

A recent study concluded that universal molecular testing in stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer is a critical first step in determining the best course of treatment; but adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been slow. Here, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Dr Luca Quagliata discusses the issues around widespread introduction of NGS and how oncologists and pathologists can use it to improve outcomes for cancer patients.

ISO 15189:2022 – What does it mean for pathology service delivery?

The new ISO 15189 standard for medical laboratories was published 12 months ago, and is well into a three-year transition period, with inspections under the new standard set to begin soon. Dr David Ricketts – one of the new standard’s authors – writes for Pathology in Practice on the main changes, and what they mean for the delivery of pathology services.

Haemorheology and diabetes – what clinical viscosity could tell us

It has been long established that circulatory and vascular changes play a significant role in long-term complications of diabetes. David Norcliffe and David Manuel explore how clinical viscosity testing could play a role in the care pathways of diabetes patients.

Candida auris – how to control a fast-growing drug-resistant fungal threat

Often resistant to antifungal treatments, as well as being difficult to identify, Candida auris is a type of yeast that can cause severe illness, especially for vulnerable patients in hospitals and nursing homes. Thanks to advances in PCR testing and strain typing technology, early and accurate identification is assisting in controlling outbreaks, explains Markus Meyer.

‘The IBMS has come a long way… and we plan to go much further…’

With the COVID-19 pandemic shining a spotlight on diagnostics and biomedical science, the IBMS implemented a plan to capitalise and to give the profession a voice. IBMS Chief Executive David Wells writes for Pathology in Practice on the significant progress made by the Institute over the past two years, and its ambitions for the future.

HeLa cell culture: a selection of current research using these immortal cells

There can be few medical scientists who have not heard of HeLa cells; the cultured cell line derived from the biopsy of a glandular cervical cancer from an American woman named Henrietta Lacks. The full history both of the lady and her immortal cells is charted eloquently by Rebecca Skloot in her book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Here, some 70 years since the tissue was taken, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a small selection of recent research undertaken using HeLa cells.

Lentigo maligna: value of PRAME/Melan A IHC double-labelling

Immunohistochemistry is a vital tool in the classification of skin lesions. Here, Rasiyan Salih and colleagues explore and assess the value of double labelling for PRAME and Melan A expression as an improved marker for slow Mohs margin assessment of lentigo maligna.

What is the value of digital pathology for your department and patients?

The value of digital pathology is widely recognised, but quantifying the benefits so far has been challenging. Now, Source LDPath has introduced a new tool to model the impact on digital pathology services on a specific hospital or department. This Health Economic Model serves to estimate the value of implementing a digital pathology workflow.

Reticulocyte haemoglobin content: a pilot UK NEQAS Haematology assessment

Reticulocyte haemoglobin content is an automated cell counting parameter that can deliver extra information with clinical utility in the investigation of iron deficiency. Here, Yvonne Hector, Barbara De la Salle and NHS colleagues in Plymouth report on a recent pilot external quality assessment exercise undertaken by UK NEQAS Haematology.

Evaluation of measurement uncertainty: Where we were and where we are going

In this first of a series of articles, Stephen MacDonald returns to the topic of assessing measurement uncertainty in the clinical laboratory, and provides an update on the current situation and provides a taster of what will be covered in future articles.

Sustainability education for laboratory professionals pre- and post-registration

Sheri Scott looks at the growing need for sustainability education for laboratory professionals pre- and postregistration to help the biomedical science profession be greener, and how sustainability can be incorporated into Quality Improvement processes in the laboratory.

DPYD screening: precision medicine in clinical practice

Three years on from NHS Wales becoming the first nation within the NHS to recommend DPYD screening to predict a negative response to treatment for all cancer patients prescribed fluoropyrimidine therapy, the All Wales Medical Genomics Service has highlighted some key clinical findings, as well as providing valuable recommendations for institutions or authorities who could benefit from establishing their own service.

‘The biggest and best yet’ – IBMS Congress hailed a success

Pathology in Practice editor Andy Myall presents a quick wrap up of the 2023 IBMS Congress, including some thoughts on the event and the Institute’s key activities from Chief Executive David Wells.

Upcoming Events

POCT Innovators: The Power to Disrupt Series

Cloth Hall Court, Leeds. UK
20 March, 2024

Interpreting Reports: UK NEQAS Haematology

ONLINE
21st March 2024

USCAP 113th Annual Meeting

Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
23-28 March, 2024

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

POCT Innovators: The Power to Disrupt Series

Cloth Hall Court, Leeds. UK
20 March, 2024

Interpreting Reports: UK NEQAS Haematology

ONLINE
21st March 2024

USCAP 113th Annual Meeting

Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
23-28 March, 2024

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

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