Testing

Xinjie Xu, Ph.D., co-director of Mayo's Genetics and Genomics Laboratory, explains Mayo Clinic Laboratories' updated approach to testing for risk stratification of patients newly diagnosed with plasma cell proliferative disorders, such as multiple myeloma. Based on recently published data, the new testing algorithms focus on use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panels, rather than chromosome studies.

In November 2020, Mayo Clinic Laboratories announced six new tests along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.

The following list includes updates posted to mayocliniclabs.com during the month of November

Joshua Bornhorst, Ph.D., associate director of Mayo Clinic's Clinical Immunoassay Lab, explains how humans can develop an allergy to the alpha-gal molecule, and he describes a new allergen antibody test that can be used to detect it. Dr. Bornhorst also reviews other tests that should be used in conjunction with alpha-gal testing to accurately identify the scope and underlying cause of the allergy.

Dr. Patel, director of Mayo Clinic's Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, discussed the future of testing for joint and bone infections.

The following list includes updates posted to mayocliniclabs.com during the month of October.

In October 2020, Mayo Clinic Laboratories announced two new tests along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.

Min Shi, M.D., Ph.D., a hematologist and co-director of Mayo Clinic's Flow Cytometry Laboratory, explains recent updates to the B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia minimal residual disease flow cytometry assay. This test is used to identify minimal residual disease in patients with a previously confirmed diagnosis of B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia who have completed chemotherapy, immunotherapy or bone marrow transplantation.

Flu season is just now unfolding. But this time, it’s piggy-backed with a pandemic, which threatens to spike with the colder weather as people huddle indoors. Adding to this conundrum is the unsettling fact that, for both COVID-19 and the flu, the symptoms overlap.

William Sukov, M.D., provides an overview of the MDM2 gene amplification assay — a test that looks for amplification of the MDM2 gene region on chromosome 12q. He reviews when this test should be ordered, how it compares to other test options, and how its results can affect patient care.

In September 2020, Mayo Clinic Laboratories announced one new test along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.

The following list includes updates posted to mayocliniclabs.com during the month of September

In August 2020, Mayo Clinic Laboratories announced five new tests along with numerous reference value changes, obsolete tests, and algorithm changes.