Detection of Genetic Thrombophilia (Fa V Leiden & PT20210 mutation) using GeneXpert Technology with IQCP Implementation

Abstract Individuals having Genetic Thrombophilia pose a higher risk of having a thrombotic event. It is crucial to determine these gene variants to prevent a possible episode of thromboembolism. With the current PCR method, it involves individual processing of DNA isolation, amplification, and detection using three (3) different instruments resulting to an increased turnaround time of 5 to 7 days and additional staff utilization. It is performed by repetitive manual sample pipetting and preparation of reagent master mixes in small vials. Results interpretations are entered manually to a worklist built initially for final verification. These processes increase the risk of staff injury and potential result error that could impact patient management. The introduction of the GeneXpert technology by Cepheid will aid in the prevention of staff injury from repetitive motion, improve the turnaround time and eliminate potential risk of error. This test system performs DNA isolation, amplification and detection within a cartridge kit that will decrease instrument preventive maintenance costs and personnel hands-on utilization. Furthermore, an individualized quality control plan (IQCP) will be implemented after risk assessment of the pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic phase of testing to customize quality control frequency ensuring the accuracy of test results upon approval by the Laboratory director. A combination of 104 whole blood samples of sodium citrate (83) and EDTA (21) that were previously tested with the current method was used for the validation study. Fifteen (15) of the whole blood citrate samples were frozen after testing to confirm the manufacturer\u27s claim of an alternative sample. Seventy-nine (100%) whole blood citrate samples and twenty-one (100%) whole blood EDTA samples were correlated with the results of the current PCR method

Identification of Anaerobes in Clinical Specimens Comparison between the RapID ANA II System and the Bruker MALDI-TOF MS System utilized in the Clinical Laboratory

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption and Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been revealed as an invaluable platform for identifying anaerobic bacteria in the clinical laboratory over traditional methods such as the RapID ANA II System. A qualitative comparison is made, through the analysis of methodologies and specifications, to determine whether the RapID ANA II system or Bruker MALDI-TOF MS is more suitable for identifying anaerobic organism in the clinical laboratory. Based on the data reviewed, the MALDI-TOF MS is a more intuitive platform within the clinical laboratory due to its increased specificity, cost-effectiveness, and shorten turnaround time for the identification of anaerobes

Spectrum of topics for world congresses and other activities of the International Society for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) : a first proposal

Background: One of the objectives of the International Society for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine is to improve the continuity of World Congresses. This requires the development of an abstract topic list for use in congress announcements and abstract submissions. Methods: An abstract topic list was developed on the basis of the definitions of human functioning and rehabilitation research, which define 5 main areas of research (biosciences in rehabilitation, biomedical rehabilitation sciences and engineering, clinical Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) sciences, integrative rehabilitation sciences, and human functioning sciences). For the abstract topic list, these research areas were grouped according to the proposals of congress streams. In a second step, the first version of the list was systematically compared with the topics of the 2003 ISPRM World Congress. Results: The resulting comprehensive abstract topic list contains 5 chapters according to the definition of human functioning and rehabilitation research. Due to the high significance of clinical research, clinical PRM sciences were placed at the top of the list, comprising all relevant health conditions treated in PRM services. For congress announcements a short topic list was derived. Discussion: The ISPRM topic list is sustainable and covers a full range of topics. It may be useful for congresses and elsewhere in structuring research in PRM