FEATURE ARTICLES

Plasma viscosity is significantly increased in patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. This fast, inexpensive and accurate test can aid in the identification of positive cases and potential to monitor disease progression, as Dan Gleghorn explains.

In addition to the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the major organ systems of the body, there may also be reproductive consequences that go beyond the capacity to survive a viral attack from this pandemic agent of disease.

Adrian Gee-Turner discusses the survival of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus on surfaces, the risk in transmission of this latest agent of disease, and also importantly the efficacy of hypochlorous acid in killing the virus.

Precision medicine is revolutionising diagnostics and treatment by targeting mutations specific to various diseases. The Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology at Essen University Hospital is looking for biomarkers of key malignancies.

Dr Carrie Mackenzie describes the experience of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital diabetes team in delivering effective and innovative care for children and young people during the pandemic, embracing and overcoming the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Non-invasive fetal genotyping has greatly improved the care of pregnancies at risk of haemolytic disease of the newborn, with mass screening also being cost-effective for targeted anti-D prophylaxis. Edwin Massey and colleagues provide an overview.

An introduction to a ground-breaking toolkit now available that aims to ease the burden of the many standards with which laboratories must comply, and reduce the stress associated with the regular accreditation visits

Detection of a serological response to SARS-CoV-2 is an integral part of the UK’s testing strategy. Here, Carolyne Horner considers the application of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection and how it could navigate the UK out of lockdown and beyond.

In this latest article in his series on method comparisons, Stephen MacDonald moves on from covariance, correlation and regression, and the interpretation of results, to focus on difference analysis and the contribution of Bland and Altman.

The forthcoming BSMT webinar series on COVID-19 will be held over four days (11-14 May). A total of eight presentations will be delivered by expert speakers, moderated by four members of the BSMT who will coordinate a Q&A session following each talk.

Jessica Johnson reports on potential findings in a virtual patient suspected of being anaemic, and investigates the process and results of a multicentre clinical trial comparing the use of monoclonal antibody treatment versus placebo.

A search of the current scientific literature published in 2021 on this important element of chromosome structure, and its complementary enzyme, illustrates the diverse effects they have in health and disease.

In this fifth article on method comparisons, Stephen MacDonald moves on from data collection and the application of basic graphing techniques, to focus this month on covariance, correlation and regression, and the interpretation of results.

What does the future of healthcare’s response to pandemics look like? How can healthcare responses be changed, to avoid a repeat of the consequences experienced while trying to protect health services? Andrew Kemp considers the issues.

The Annual Scientific Conference of the BSMT, this year to be hosted as a four-day webinar series, is the beneficiary of support from a range of commercial colleagues, as the following preview illustrates.

The momentum gained in tackling hepatitis C, before COVID-19, should not be lost, says Steve Ryder. Here, he provides an insight into the latest developments in the fight to eliminate hepatitis C, and issues a call to action.

Improving laboratory processes for HbA1c analysis through integration within mainline haematology systems is finding favour in laboratories across Europe, as Sysmex illustrates in this overview and Danish exemplar.

The incidence of virus-related head and neck tumours is reaching epidemic proportions, particularly in the developed world. Anna Huber provides an overview and discusses the need to improve patient outcomes.

Results of a recent clinical study using a fully automated, standardised thrombin generation analyser have shown that it is possible to identify breast cancer patients who are at high risk of disease recurrence.

Despite the effects of the current pandemic, continued success is key for the UK NEQAS Cellular Pathology Technique EQA scheme, as Chantell Hodgson explains.