RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES

Since its first identification 1935, C. difficile has been the focus of much research. Here Charlotte Duncan provides an overview and update on the methodologies available to detect and identify this infective agent.

Hamilton House in London was the venue for the PQT Conference, the first in a series of one-day events organised by Pathology in Practice. Each speaker provided a summary and these are reproduced here.

In September, Lorne Laboratories will celebrate four decades of support predominantly to those working in transfusion science, as this company profile illustrates.

From the visualisation of acid-fast bacilli labelled with auramine and the detection of autoantibodies, to the labelling of specific markers, cytoskeleton and nucleus, fluorescence microscopy is used widely across pathology.

A collaborative, long-term approach to the innovative delivery of operational savings has paid dividends for Beckman Coulter and a flagship European medical complex.

Meeting the requirements of the ISO 15189 standards is currently occupying the thoughts of laboratory personnel. Here, Julie Chatman provides an overview of the help available from Instrumentation Laboratory.

Company Members represent a proactive and supportive class of IBMS membership. Here, Mark Reed reports on a post-Congress meeting held to investigate how the symbiotic relationship between the profession and commerce could be enhanced.

Lean methods were at the heart of a two-day Siemens meeting held last year at The Crystal in London, the focus of the event being the evolving pathology landscape.

A case study focusing on how a Roche Optimall Managed Pathology Service agreement has allowed the North Bristol NHS Trust to achieve its aims for modernisation and innovation.

From helping disadvantages youngsters to taking part in a gruelling endurance challenge, Sysmex UK is taking its social responsibilities very seriously, as Simon Kimber explains. (Image: www.commons.wikimedia.org Banavie)

Great strides have been made over the past 25 years in testing for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, as Ivor Smith explains. However, the test has a wider role in diagnosis than once thought.

A recently published study highlights the benefits of point­of­care nucleic acid amplification tests for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in genitourinary medicine. Here, some of the authors highlight the advantages over traditional immunoassay techniques.

Mohs surgical procedures are achieving greater prominence in the clinical management of a range of skin tumours. Here, in focusing on one lesion, Guy Orchard and Mohammed Shams outline an optimal complementary laboratory method.

Partnership working between Beckman Coulter and pathology staff in Chester once again has demonstrated what connectivity and a small footprint can achieve, as Martin Langan explains.

Recent research led by a team in Wales has revealed 11 new genes linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Cancer Research UK’s Drug Development Office has launched a new clinical trial to treat lymphoma patients using the body’s own immune system to attack cancerous B cells. (Image National Cancer Institute/Louis M Staudt)

Point-of-care test has now become a familiar feature of 21st medical practice. Beyond the ward, GP surgery and local pharmacy, once again it has travelled to the very roof of the world to aid in hypoxia research.

The complete Roche point-of-care glucose testing solution, including wireless connectivity, data management, training and support, has helped Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to change smoothly from one system to another and to benefit from unique safety features.

Haemoglobin measurement at the point of care has been the source of some concern. Here, Barbara De la Salle and colleagues from UK NEQAS for Haematology explain the steps taken to assess the current situation.

Standardisation of vitamin D assays is essential to improving patient health, and the introduction of a new test aims to improve the laboratory detection of deficiency, as Heather Harper explains.