scholarly journals Wiping the Slate Clean—Assessing Clinical Laboratory Contamination Risk

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 1128-1130
Author(s):  
Jonathan R Genzen
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Contamination Risk ◽  
Laboratory Contamination

scholarly journals Frequency of Instrument, Environment, and Laboratory Technologist Contamination during Routine Diagnostic Testing of Infectious Specimens

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie L. Yarbrough ◽  
Jennie H. Kwon ◽  
Meghan A. Wallace ◽  
Tiffany Hink ◽  
Angela Shupe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Bacteriophage Ms2 ◽  
Laboratory Workers ◽  
Laboratory Contamination

ABSTRACTLaboratory testing to support the care of patients with highly infectious diseases may pose a risk for laboratory workers. However, data on the risk of virus transmission during routine laboratory testing conducted using standard personal protective equipment (PPE) are sparse. Our objective was to measure laboratory contamination during routine analysis of patient specimens. Remnant specimens were spiked with the nonpathogenic bacteriophage MS2 at 1.0 × 107PFU/ml, and contamination was assessed using reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for MS2. Specimen containers were exteriorly coated with a fluorescent powder to enable the visualization of gross contamination using UV light. Testing was performed by two experienced laboratory technologists using standard laboratory PPE and sample-to-answer instrumentation. Fluorescence was noted on the gloves, bare hands, and laboratory coat cuffs of the laboratory technologist in 36/36 (100%), 13/36 (36%), and 4/36 (11%) tests performed, respectively. Fluorescence was observed in the biosafety cabinet (BSC) in 8/36 (22%) tests, on test cartridges/devices in 14/32 (44%) tests, and on testing accessory items in 29/32 (91%) tests. Fluorescence was not observed on or in laboratory instrumentation or adjacent surfaces. In contrast to fluorescence detection, MS2 detection was infrequent (3/286 instances [1%]) and occurred during test setup for the FilmArray instrument and on FilmArray accessory equipment. The information from this study may provide opportunities for the improvement of clinical laboratory safety practices so as to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission to laboratory workers.

Identifying and Eliminating Laboratory Contamination by Topical Testosterone Therapeutics

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan R Genzen ◽  
Sonia L La'ulu ◽  
Sara P Wyness ◽  
Kelly L Scholes ◽  
Heather N Signorelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Problem ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Topical Formulations ◽  
Topical Drugs ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Future Risk ◽  
Dust Sampling ◽  
Laboratory Contamination

Abstract Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs are available as topical formulations. Contamination of clinical laboratory workspaces by topical drugs may increase the risk of potential interference with diagnostic testing. An example of localized workspace contamination attributed to a topical hormonal drug (testosterone, T) is presented to highlight significant challenges in identifying and resolving this potential problem. Investigation included precision studies, instrument service and parts replacement, instrument replacement, airflow analysis, environmental dust sampling, and the development of customized methods for workspace monitoring and cleaning. Laboratory policies and procedures were also revised to minimize future risk.

Current Status of a Medical Information System

1970 ◽  
Vol 09 (03) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Van Brunt ◽  
L. S. Davis ◽  
J. F. Terdiman ◽  
S. Singer ◽  
E. Besag ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Medical Data ◽  
Direct Access ◽  
Medical Information System ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Central System

A pilot medical information system is being implemented and currently is providing services for limited categories of patient data. In one year, physicians’ diagnoses for 500,000 office visits, 300,000 drug prescriptions for outpatients, one million clinical laboratory tests, and 60,000 multiphasic screening examinations are being stored in and retrieved from integrated, direct access, patient computer medical records.This medical information system is a part of a long-term research and development program. Its major objective is the development of a multifacility computer-based system which will support eventually the medical data requirements of a population of one million persons and one thousand physicians. The strategy employed provides for modular development. The central system, the computer-stored medical records which are therein maintained, and a satellite pilot medical data system in one medical facility are described.

A Hexagonal (II) Phase Phospholipid Neutralization Assay for Lupus Anticoagulant Identification

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (05) ◽  
pp. 787-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas A Triplett ◽  
Linda K Barna ◽  
Gail A Unger
Keyword(s):  
Hemophilia A ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Neutralization Assay ◽  
Confirmatory Test ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Variable Screening ◽  
Routine Clinical Laboratory

SummaryLupus anticoagulants (LAs) are immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, or both) which interfere with in vitro phospholipid (PL) dependent tests of coagulation (e.g. APTT, dilute PT, dilute Russell Viper Venom Time). These antibodies may be identified in a wide variety of clinical settings. With the exception of heparinized patient samples, the presence of LAs is often the most common cause of an unexplained APTT in a routine clinical laboratory. The diagnosis of LAs is difficult due to variable screening reagent sensitivity and intrinsic heterogeneity of LAs. Recently, Rauch and colleagues have shown human monoclonal hybridoma LAs were inhibited by hexagonal (II) phase PLs. In contrast, lamellar phase PLs had no effect. We have evaluated a new assay system, Staclot LA®, which utilizes a hexagonal (II) phase PL (egg phosphatidylethanolamine [EPE]) as a confirmatory test for LAs. Plasma samples from the following patient populations were studied: LA positive, heparinized, oral anticoagulated, hemophilia A and B, and specific factor inhibitors (factors V, VIII, IX). Unlike previous studies, the LA positive patients were a mixed population including: autoimmune diseases, drug-induced, and post-infection. Our findings confirm the specificity of hexagonal (II) phase PL neutralization of LAs.

The Preparation and Evaluation of a Standardized Fibrin Plate for the Assessment of Fibrinolytic Activity

1970 ◽  
Vol 23 (02) ◽  
pp. 202-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Bishop ◽  
H Ekert ◽  
G Gilchrist ◽  
E Shanbrom ◽  
L Fekete
Keyword(s):  
Test Specimen ◽  
Fibrinolytic Activity ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Fibrin Clot ◽  
Fibrinolytic Enzyme ◽  
Agarose Gel ◽  
Fibrin Plate ◽  
Percent Concentration ◽  
Human Plasminogen ◽  
Preparation And Evaluation

SummaryA new fibrin plate technic for evaluating components of the fibrinolytic system has been developed. It provides quick, accurate, and easily interpreted results for the fibrinolytic profile. The standardized human plasminogen-free fibrin plates can be produced in bulk and stored for prolonged periods of time. A test specimen placed in a well punched in the buffered agarose gel diffuses into the agar and lyses the fibrin clot, forming a clear reaction zone. The zone diameter is directly proportional to the log of the percent concentration of available fibrinolytic enzyme in the specimen. The plates may be used to quantitate total plasminogen, and estimate available plasmin and active plasmin. A good correlation between results obtained using these fibrin plates and caseinolytic methods was found. Performance and interpretation of tests of fibrinolysis done on these new fibrin plates indicate that it may be the most sensitive technic available for clinical laboratory work.

Multifactorial analysis of clinical laboratory signs, the levels of IL-17A, IL-23, IL-33, IL-35, and specific antibodies in the serum of patients with Lyme borreliosis without erythema migrans

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
pp. 676-681
Author(s):  
V.V. Sapozhnikova ◽  
◽  
A.L. Bondarenko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Erythema Migrans ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Component Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multifactorial Analysis ◽  
Specific Antibodies

Aim: to determine the association between clinical laboratory parameters, the production of cytokines (IL-17A, -23, -33, -35), and specific IgM and IgG in the serum of patients with Lyme borreliosis without erythema migrans. Patients and Methods: complete blood count, the concentrations of IL-17A, -23, -33, -35, and the levels of specific IgM and IgG were measured during acute infection and convalescence (n=30). The control group included age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (n=30). Statistical analysis was performed using the StatSoft Statistica v 10.0 software (parametric and non-parametric methods and multifactorial analysis, i.e., principal component analysis). Results: most (80%) patients with Lyme borreliosis without erythema migrans are the people of working age. In most patients, the combination of the specific antibodies against Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii (76.7%) and severe intoxication and inflammatory process (100%) were detected. Moderate and severe disease associated with meningism was diagnosed in 90% and 10%, respectively. The mean duration of hectic period was 8.3±1.27 days. Abnormal ECG was reported in 40% of patients, i.e., conduction abnormalities in 20%, sinus bradycardia in 16.7%,and sinus tachycardia in 3.3%. The clinical laboratory signs of hepatitis without jaundice were identified in 26.7%. During treatment, the significant reduction in band and segmented neutrophil counts as well as the significant increase in platelet count were revealed compared to these parameters at admission. Abnormal cytokine levels (i.e., the increase in IL-17A, -23, -33 and the deficiency of IL-35) were detected. Conclusions: multifactorial analysis has demonstrated that the severity of immunological abnormalities in patients with Lyme borreliosis without erythema migrans is associated with fever, cardiac and liver disorders, the high levels of IL-23 and IL-33, and the lack of IL-35 and specific IgM and IgG. KEYWORDS: tick-borne borreliosis, Lyme disease without erythema migrans, clinical laboratory signs, cytokines, specific antibodies, multifactorial analysis, principal component analysis. FOR CITATION: Sapozhnikova V.V., Bondarenko A.L. Multifactorial analysis of clinical laboratory signs, the levels of IL-17A, IL-23, IL-33, IL-35, and specific antibodies in the serum of patients with Lyme borreliosis without erythema migrans. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2020;4(11):676–681. DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2020-4-11-676-681.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document