FEATURE ARTICLES

Prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are a family of rare progressive neurodegenerative disorders that affect both humans and animals. A recent confirmed case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Scotland has brought this devastating group of diseases, that are usually rapidly progressive and always fatal, back into focus.

Laboratory incidents specialist Hema Mistry summarises the 2017 SHOT Annual Report, and looks at why the same errors continue to occur and how many of them could have been prevented.

Screening of faecal samples for blood and microorganisms is commonplace, yet testing that can distinguish irritable from inflammatory bowel conditions, and detect pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. is equally important, as this review illustrates.

Tim Woods collates abstracts that reflect proceedings of the UK NEQAS for Blood Coagulation annual scientific and participants’ two-day meeting, which was held in Sheffield earlier in the year.

Over the past decade, much research effort has been invested in the genomics and epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, one of the world’s deadliest diseases. Currently, scientific and political initiatives aim to improve the situation.

Following the recent publication of his successful articles on measurement uncertainty, Stephen MacDonald returns with the first in a new series looking at internal quality control in laboratory medicine.

Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children is one of the great success stories of cancer medicine. Genetic analysis continues to have a major role in the fight against this and other lymphoid leukaemias.

As we move through yet more amalgamation, consolidation, change – call it what you will – a time for reflection and prediction is always worthwhile. Here, Mark Reed offers a brief history of change.

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme is set to replace cytology screening with the molecular HPV test as the primary form of screening. Here we discuss the impact of this change and the role of a trusted partner in this process.

Jake Morrow looks at the current state of autoantibody testing, what impact this has on provision of the service, and what the future holds for this important area of autoimmunity and immunology.

Figures released by Public Health England indicate that the numbers of laboratory-confirmed cases of measles increased hugely between 2017 (n=274) and the first half of 2018 (n=738). Recently published articles on the subject from around the world suggest that issues related to poor vaccination uptake and also increased immigration and the associated importation of the virus are just two of a number of reasons for this increase in infection.

Mark Wilks reports on the Annual Scientific Conference of the British Society for Microbial Technology, held at Public Health England, Colindale, London, earlier this year.

The application of point-of-care testing has become commonplace across much of diagnostics. Here, Sarah Pitt looks at the situation in microbiology and how this technology can benefit patient care and infection control.

David Martin discusses the role of architectural best practice in supporting translational research, to ensure innovations in the laboratory are transposed rapidly into successful improvements in patient outcomes.

This year’s Microbe symposium, the 17th biennial event in this series, will return to Sheffield in September. Here, Pathology in Practice provides a preview, including the vital commercial element of proceedings.

Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and troponin I (cTnI) are cardiac regulatory proteins that control the calcium-mediated interaction between actin and myosin. Raised cardiac troponin concentrations are now accepted as the standard biochemical marker for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

The University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, has pioneered Mohs micrographic surgery since 1992, providing optimal patient care and rapid skin cancer treatment. Central to fast treatment time is cryosectioning, which is facilitated by use of the Thermo Scientific Cryostar NX70.

Point-of-care testing is vitally important in many areas of 21st-century healthcare, and requires medical laboratory overview to ensure a safe an efficient service. External quality assessment is an important aspect of this assurance, as this report illustrates.

Biobanking increases in importance as scientific development and research continues. Here, Mark Reed offers a brief, not on the high street, insight into what is now a complex science.

Jamie Laughlin explores the benefits of a novel, innovative solution for serological infectious diseases testing recently introduced at South West London Pathology, part of St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.