FEATURE ARTICLES

On behalf of the BSMT, Dr Mark Wilks provides a preview of the upcoming webinar scientific programme, to be held over four days in May (11-14 May 2021).

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has adversely affected people’s health around the world, and many have died due to complications from conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Remote testing could provide an innovative solution.

Detection of the Helicobacter pylori antigen in faeces is the most common method used to diagnose infection. Here, Sarah Coleman and Steve Davies compared their current methodology with three commercially available palette tests.

A selection of research into Helicobacter pylori, which complements the work reported by Coleman and Davies in the February 2021 issue of Pathology in Practice.

Cardiac surgery in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 disease carries significant mortality and morbidity, but the appropriate period to wait before surgical intervention after recovery is not known. Ana Lopez-Marco and colleagues explore the issues.

Stephen MacDonald moves on from consideration of the various factors that need investigation before implementation of an assay, to focus here on data collection, basic graphing techniques, and some routine statistical methods.

Doris-Ann Williams discusses how IVDs will be regulated in a newly independent UK after being regulated under the IVD Directive for the past 20 years, and the effects this may have on industry and clinical laboratories in the UK.

Maurizio Suppo provides an overview of the new EU IVD-Regulation and elaborates on how EU authorities will regulate the vast majority of the laboratory-developed tests currently performed across Europe on a daily basis.

Beverley Crossley provides an overview of the techniques applicable to the various sample types encountered in routine practice.

The detection and monitoring of patients suffering from ketoacidosis continues to increase the laboratory medicine workload. Here, Randox Laboratories examines the issues and illustrates the scope of the problem.

The threat posed by antimicrobial resistance was high on the agenda at the FIS/HIS International online conference, where Evelina Tacconelli called for action. Louise Frampton reports on proceedings.

The in vitro diagnostics industry has been at the forefront of the fight against SARS-CoV-2. Here, Mark Reed provides a commercial perspective and overview of the unprecedented times experienced over the past 12 months.

The CN-Series of analysers from Sysmex has now undergone multi-centre validation and verification work in the UK ahead of global introduction in 2021. Here, the company introduces the equipment and its various hardware and software features.

In this third article in his series on method comparisons, Stephen MacDonald moves on to focus on what differences are expected and acceptable, and what other factors need further investigation before implementation of an assay.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition which, if left untreated, may result in intestinal metaplasia, a premalignant condition that occurs in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

A report on the impact of COVID-19 on patients with decompensated cirrhosis, along with an overview of HBV and the role of intestinal microflora in alcohol-related liver disease.

Hepatitis B, a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), is a major global health problem. It can cause chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer.

The diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma viscosity has been highlighted in patients suspected or confirmed as having COVID-19, but its use in other areas of UK medical practice has gained clinical acceptance over the past seven decades.

With the NHS continuing to struggle as it responds to the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the effects that COVID-19 disease is having on a heavy workload, Gillian Ewers examines the advantages that RFID and a transport and tracking system offer.

The International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science has a global responsibility to support, advance and promote good scientific laboratory practice and education. Here, new IFBLS President Alan Wainwright provides an overview.