Jan 30, 2023 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Resources, Laboratory Testing
Some medical experts suggest an ‘immunity gap’ related to COVID-19 mitigation measures, while others point to alternative theories Surge in fall/winter SARS-CoV-2, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations and ensuing clinical laboratory test referrals—dubbed by some public health experts as a “tripledemic”—appear to have eased in the US, according to stats from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Becker’s Hospital Review reported. However,...
Nov 18, 2022 | International Laboratory News, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Resources, Laboratory Testing
Epidemiologists warn that elderly and other individuals may be at high-risk for co-infection by strains of both SAR-CoV-2 and influenza As of October, the influenza (flu) season has begun in North America. With the COVID-19 pandemic still prevalent, clinical laboratories must be prepared not only for increased demand for SARS-CoV-2 tests, but also for an increased number of orders for flu tests as well. In fact, virologists are sounding the alarm that some patients may present with an uncommon...
Nov 9, 2022 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Resources, Laboratory Testing
Experts advise clinical laboratories to prepare now for a marked increase in demand for RSV, COVID-19, and influenza testing Are the COVID-19 lockdowns responsible for the increase in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)? Some physicians believe that may be the case and it has hospitals, clinical laboratories, and pathology groups scrambling to prepare for a possible “tripledemic,” according to UC Davis Health. The addition of RSV as we move into what is predicted to be a bad influenza...
Nov 2, 2022 | International Laboratory News, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Resources, Laboratory Testing
Experts cite high vaccination rates and behavioral changes among at-risk groups, but warn about complacency; clinical laboratories should remain vigilant In July, Scott Gottlieb, MD, Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from May 2017 to April 2019, wrote an op-ed in The New York Times titled, “Monkeypox Is About to Become the Next Public Health Failure.” In it, he wrote, “Our country’s response to monkeypox has been plagued by the same shortcomings we had with COVID-19.”...
Oct 14, 2022 | International Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Resources, Laboratory Testing
These findings may be useful to clinical laboratory professionals when physicians want guidance in effective treatments for COVID-19 patients, particularly when there are concerns about a rebound of the infection Drug interactions are a major concern for physicians and clinical laboratories. That is especially true given the push for nearly universal COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. Now, a study conducted in Denmark may show that the use of Paxlovid as an antiviral drug to treat early...
