Hot Topic

In this month’s “Hot Topic,” Robin Patel, M.D., discusses how matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI TOF) mass spectrometry works for bacterial identification, including the strengths and limitations of this technology. She also covers Mayo Clinic’s experience with the technology in the clinical laboratory.

In this month’s “Hot Topic,” Brad Karon, M.D., Ph.D., describes how pseudohyperkalemia has many causes, from collection techniques, processing, and even transport. This presentation focuses on the various preanalytic and analytic causes of pseudohyperkalemia and what you as a phlebotomist can do to prevent it.

In this month’s “Hot Topic,” Elitza Theel, Ph.D., will discuss diagnostic testing options for patients with suspected neuroinvasive Lyme disease or Lyme neuroborreliosis.

In this month’s “Hot Topic,” Melissa Snyder, Ph.D., will review the diagnostic testing algorithms for celiac disease and highlight the advantages and limitations of certain tests, including serology and genetic assays.

In this month’s “Hot Topic,” Elitza Theel, Ph.D. will discuss a new interferon-gamma release assay that can assist in the detection of individuals that are infected with tuberculosis.

In this months "Hot Topic," Christopher Desens, MLS(ASCP) discusses the preparation of platelet-poor plasma for coagulation testing.

In this month’s “Hot Topic,” Alicia Algeciras-Schimnich, Ph.D., will provide you with valuable information regarding the utility of the prostate specific antigen test, and how the calculation of a prostate health index, or phi, can help to stratify a patient’s risk for prostate cancer and reduce unnecessary biopsies.

In this “Hot Topic,” William Nichols, M.D., presents a case study that demonstrates how pre- and postanalytic variables of the patient and blood samples can have confounding effects on the laboratory evaluation of coagulation disorders.

The differential diagnosis for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While the clinical presentation is similar, IBD is an inflammatory disease, while IBS is a noninflammatory disease. View this "Hot Topic" to learn about testing for IBD and IBS.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a pattern of glomerular injury. Based on the etiology of MPGN, Drs. Sethi and Fervenza proposed a new histologic classification of MPGN into Ig/IC-mediated MPGN and complement-mediated MPGN. In this “Hot Topic,” Senjeev Sethi, M.D., Ph.D., demonstrates the use of the new classification with case studies.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a pattern of glomerular injury. Based on the etiology of MPGN, Drs. Sethi and Fervenza proposed a new histologic classification of MPGN into Ig/IC-mediated MPGN and complement-mediated MPGN. In this “Hot Topic,” Senjeev Sethi, M.D., Ph.D., demonstrates the use of the new classification with case studies.

In this “Hot Topic,” Bobbi Pritt, M.D., discusses how Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States and Europe and caused primarily by Borrelia burgdorferi in the United States, while B burgdorferi, B afzelii, and B garinii cause Lyme disease in Europe. We will also discuss using PCR and melting curve analysis to identify a new species of Borrelia.

In this “Hot Topic,” Elitza Theel, Ph.D., discusses how common cases of presumed Lyme disease go unreported each year and discusses scenarios in which testing for Lyme disease is indicated and reviews both recommended and inappropriate testing methodologies. The overall focus is on performance of the CDC endorsed two-tiered serologic testing algorithm and the latest CDC recommendations.