FEATURE ARTICLES

With increasing travel post-COVID-19 coupled with a warming planet, tropical diseases and the viruses that cause them are closer to UK shores than ever. Dr Neil Bentley looks at the increasing prevalence and spread of dengue fever and the barriers to correct diagnosis.

In this first of two reports from this year’s British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference, BSMT Chair Dr Mark Wilks and colleagues look at three presentations from the morning session. Two demonstrate the efforts being made at the cutting edge of practice, while the third what can be achieved with limited resources.

UK NEQAS CPT currently has an EQA scheme for digital pathology in a pre-pilot phase. Here, Scheme Manager Lorren Mitchell details the research and planning required to ensure it will be suitable and effective for this evolving field.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of a number of pathogens with increased abilities to evade the effects of antimicrobial agents, with MRSA continuing to evolve. New technology is now allowing quicker identification of infection-causing pathogens, allowing earlier treatment and adoption of other measures to limit spread, explains Camila Onyekwere.

A look at the CRISPR technology that research scientists use to selectively modify the DNA of living organisms, adapted for use in the laboratory from naturally occurring genome editing systems found in bacteria. Here, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a selection of current research interest.

X-ray irradiation is enabling inactive virus material to be available for research use from The National Collection of Pathogenic Viruses, part of UKHSA Culture Collections. Team leader Dr Jane Burton and virologist Teresa Ramalho explain how.

At a recent Sample Transport Symposium event, hosted by Sarstedt, Dr Michael Cornes presented on the variety of options available for sample transportation and their influence on of speed and quality of result.

External quality assessment of point-of-care testing provision is now an integral part of laboratory accreditation to the new ISO 15189 UKAS standards. Here, Sanjiv Rughooputh and colleagues from the UK Health Security Agency focus on the need for EQA of a respiratory virus POC service.

Microbiologists from the Don Whitley Scientific microbiology laboratory led by Charlotte Austin, recently carried out a performance validation of the Whitley A135 GMP laminar flow anaerobic workstation using Bacillus atrophaeus spore suspension. Pathology in Practice reproduces their report here, which was previously presented in the form of a poster at the 10th European Spores Conference.

Does the introduction of two new disinfecting technologies reduce the risk of cross infection in a busy office environment? Andrew Kemp, Head of the Scientific Advisory Board for the British Institute of Cleaning Science presents a study examining the measurement of surface contamination levels.

The adoption of digital pathology into routine histopathology practice is not without its problems in terms of implementation, changing work practices and staff acceptance. Here, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a selection of research devoted to such issues, and also examples of the value this technology offers to patient care and outcome.

With the association between plasma viscosity and cardiovascular disease having been documented extensively and for some time, David Norcliffe and David Manuel revisit some of these studies to explore how haemorheology and measuring clinical viscosity could play a significant role in the monitoring and early detection of CVD.

Liam Whitby, President of the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service (UK NEQAS) explains the reason why UK NEQAS is a world leader in EQA.

Auch Hospital in the south of France recently took delivery of that country’s first example of a new cytology analyser. Here, Pathology in Practice hears from three senior laboratory staff involved in the project about the changes that have taken place following the addition of this new automated technology.

In this fourth article in his series on measurement uncertainty, Stephen MacDonald moves on to look at some of the lesser discussed points that need to be considered when calculating imprecision and its contribution to combined uncertainty.

While automation of laboratory tests and procedures can bring great efficiencies and benefits to the laboratory and to overall patient care, effective implementation of an automation project requires detailed planning strategy and evaluation, as Renato Gargiani explains.

With the emergence of new patient care pathways, the growth of point-of-care testing has been driven by new technology. This has offered patients improved health outcomes, utilising diagnostics and solutions that help relieve the pressures on our health system.

While provision for point-of-care testing (POCT) is growing hugely, UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation for such services is still in its infancy. Haval Ozgun, POCT Manager and Network Lead at South West London Pathology, explains how his service successfully gained accreditation.

The appropriate selection of blood for transfusion in the ongoing treatment of patients with sickle cell disease is of vital importance. Here, Hannah Caldwell examines the role of sickle solubility testing and molecular genotyping in the care of SCD patients in Northern Ireland.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, presenting as a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behaviour and social skills. New tests might be able to diagnose the disease when symptoms are very mild, so that the latest therapeutic advances in the field can be applied. Here, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a small selection of current research interest.