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Nancy Wengenack, Ph.D., director of the Mycology and Microbacteriology Laboratories in Mayo Clinic’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast this week. In this episode, Dr. Wengenack and Bobbi Pritt, M.D., discuss the fungal infection Candida auris.

It’s been understood for some time that an infection of B. mayonii, a rare species of bacterium, results in high levels of spirochetes in the peripheral blood. But actually being able to visualize them on a routine peripheral blood smear may allow for improved recognition of this uncommon cause of Lyme disease.

Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory in Mayo Clinic’s Division of Clinical Microbiology, considers the prospects for COVID-19 this fall as the traditional influenza season ramps up.

Bobbi Pritt, M.D., discusses how Mayo Clinic Labs’ updated PCR assay for West Nile virus provides increased sensitivity to detect virus RNA in multiple sources, identifies two virus lineages, and confirms diagnosis.

When most of the world was still struggling to understand how COVID-19 would affect their lives, Atria Senior Living took steps to protect their vulnerable residents and staff.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories now offers a noninvasive approach for the molecular detection of H. pylori, with results that include prediction of clarithromycin resistance delivered within 24 hours.

In this month’s Hot Topic, Robin Patel, M.D., discusses Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ new PCR assay for detection of Helicobacter pylori detection and determination of clarithromycin resistance directly from stool.

Thank you to our staff at Mayo Clinic who step up daily during this time of need to provide access to testing during the global pandemic. We appreciate each one of you and all the sacrifices you personally have made throughout this past year.

Nancy Wengenack, Ph.D. gives an overview of this test available through Mayo Clinic Laboratories. She discusses when this testing should be ordered, how this testing compares to other testing approaches, and what clinical action can be taken due to the results of this testing.