FEATURE ARTICLES

Victoria Tuckley summarises the 2020 Annual Report. Here, she also highlights how lessons can be learned about communication and robust planning for future emergency situations where the environment is continuously evolving.

This month’s cover story looks at vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT), a rare side-effect of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 adenoviral vector vaccine. The following examples of open-access current research expand on this theme.

Testing is fundamental to identify and prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, but how can laboratories access automation technologies to respond to increased demand? Penny Pinnock explores how smart finance can help laboratories enhance testing capacity.

Laboratories across the world use cytocentrifugation to present cells for microscopic analysis while maintaining their morphology. Here, Epredia gives a brief history of the Cytospin and the use of cytology samples to detect respiratory viruses.

South Korea’s response to the pandemic has been widely praised, achieving success through rigorous preparation, rapid response for detection and appropriate containment and treatment, with almost immediate access to PCR tests.

As the health service responds to the various backlogs that have developed as a result of the ongoing pandemic, Chris Hudson provides a brief overview of Roche digital solutions and how they facilitate better patient care.

In the background of COVID-19, there is another silent pandemic growing – the threat of antimicrobial resistance. In vitro diagnostics are vital in the fight against AMR, ensuring appropriate administration of antibiotics and reducing their misuse.

In March 2022, the delayed fourteenth iteration in the biennial Congress series will return to the ICC in Birmingham. The focus will be on the very best that biomedical science and commercial colleagues have to offer.

Now embarking on the final article in his series on method comparisons. Stephen MacDonald concludes with advice on preparation of the documentation and final report.

The detection of SARS-CoV-2 mutations and new, potentially more infectious and transmissible variants of the virus currently is exercising the minds of the scientific and commercial communities. PerkinElmer examines the various testing methodologies.

Gemma Vanstone recounts how she discovered the molecular EntericBio system, and the positive impact that clinicians and patients can experience when a local pathology service works closely with Serosep and uses its range of real-time PCR tests.

Haemostasis capacity in the north-east of England has enjoyed significant benefits through collaboration with Stago UK. Here, staff from the South Tyne region explain how this collaboration has borne fruit in terms of compliance and efficiency.

Graham Johnson introduces the first non-invasive test for assessing the structure and function of the stomach in patients with dyspepsia. It can be used in the primary care setting and also in secondary care as a pre-endoscopy assessment tool.

It is almost a decade since it was shown that a strain of the endosymbiont Wolbachia that infects mosquitoes can make them resistant to the malaria parasite. Wolbachia can also have an impact on dengue, Zika and other mosquito-transmitted diseases.

During the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, point-of-care testing (POCT) is proving invaluable in facilitating the easing of restrictions and a return to normality. The following examples illustrate how this technology is being applied and assessed.

At Torbay Hospital in Torquay, the microbiology and orthopaedic departments collaborated to implement point-of-care testing for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to increase bed occupancy and enhance patient experience.

The 35th Annual Scientific Conference of the BSMT took place online on 11–14 May. Not surprisingly, the focus was on one topic, COVID-19, with a particular focus on laboratory aspects of the pandemic. Mark Wilks reports on behalf of the committee.

Laboratories in Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Swindon will use the CliniSys WinPath Enterprise system to deliver a consistent, high-quality and equitable service and build a platform for innovation across the pathology partnership.

Mutations to the SARS-CoV-2 genome, particularly to those sequences responsible for the spike protein on the viral surface, are causing concern. Recent research has looked at the findings of studies undertaken over the past 12 months.

The CN-3000 and CN-6000 models from Sysmex are joined by the CN-3500 and CN-6500 systems to provide laboratories with advanced immunological testing capabilities, and connectivity of these systems by the intelligent Laboratory Automation solution.