University of Washington Researchers Use Genomic Analysis to Track Shigella Infections as Decreased Cost of Gene Sequencing Aids Public Health Research

Mar 1, 2023 | International Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Testing, Molecular Diagnostics, Genetic Testing, Whole Gene Sequencing

Another study in the United Kingdom that also used genomic analysis to understand drug-resistant Shigella produced findings that may be useful for microbiologists and medical laboratory scientists From the onset of an infectious disease outbreak, public health officials, microbiologists, and clinical laboratory managers find it valuable to trace the origin of the spread back to the “index case” or “patient zero”—the first documented patient in the disease epidemic. Given the decreased cost of...

With New Daily Monkeypox Cases Now in Single Digits, Can We Declare the Mission Accomplished?

Feb 24, 2023 | International Laboratory News, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Resources, Laboratory Testing

Coordinating at-home testing for monkeypox may provide opportunities for clinical laboratories to add value for their physician clients Microbiologists and clinical laboratory managers who oversee medical laboratory tests for monkeypox (aka, mpox) will be interested to learn that, according to the US Centers of Disease Control (CDC), cases per day have dropped into the single digits. The United States led the world in cases during the 2022-2023 outbreak, according to the most recent CDC...

Healthcare Experts Say Consumers Are Ready for Self-Test Flu Kits, But Are Physicians and Clinical Laboratories Ready to Let That Cat Out of the Bag?     

Feb 6, 2023 | Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Resources, Laboratory Testing, Molecular Diagnostics, Genetic Testing, Whole Gene Sequencing

Clinical laboratories could play a key role in helping users collect their samples correctly, interpret results, and transfer flu test data to their health records Clinical laboratories may have another opportunity to provide service to their clients and the physicians who treat them. With the success of at-home COVID-19 testing, consumer demand for self-tests is changing and advances in diagnostic technology now make it feasible to make more influenza (flu) tests available for consumers to...

Healthcare Experts See Links Between COVID-19 and RSV as Tripledemic Pressures Ease on Hospitals and Clinical Laboratories

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,...

Will ‘Flurona” Be an Issue for Clinical Laboratories This Flu Season?

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...