iLABMED最新文献

Scedosporium boydii is considered an opportunist fungal pathogen in immunocompromised patients. It also causes serious and fatal central nervous system infections. In this study, a man with brain abscesses infected with S. boydii was diagnosed using multiple methods, including microscopy, culture combined with Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MOLDI-TOF MS), internal transcribed spacer sequencing and Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). This successful diagnosis highlights the importance of using a variety of techniques to identify and treat infections caused by this dangerous fungus.

In today's healthcare, clinical laboratory medicine stands as a cornerstone of patient care, providing vital diagnostic insights that inform decisions in disease management. Yet, within this crucial field, a dichotomy persists between two predominant models of laboratory testing to support clinical practice: point-of-care testing (PoCT) and central laboratory testing [1]. This schism, while born of practical necessity and evolving technology, presents both opportunities and challenges that warrant closer examination.

Point-of-care testing, characterized by its immediacy and accessibility, offers rapid results at or near the patient's location, facilitating swift clinical interventions and enhancing patient satisfaction [2]. Devices used for PoCT are often compact and portable, enabling testing in diverse settings, from emergency departments to remote clinics [3]. This model provides healthcare providers with real-time data to make timely care decision, as a result of reducing the time to diagnosis and treatment initiation.

Conversely, central laboratory testing operates on a larger scale, often in dedicated facilities equipped with advanced instrumentation and automation. Central clinical laboratories boast a wide menu of tests, offering comprehensive diagnostic capabilities that encompass a spectrum of medical specialties. Standardization and quality control measures are rigorously enforced, ensuring the sensitivity, reliability, and accuracy of test results. Furthermore, central laboratories facilitate economies of scale, driving down costs and promoting efficiency in resource utilization.

However, this division between PoCT and central laboratory testing has fostered challenges in interoperability, data management, and standardization. Integration of PoCT results into electronic health records (EHR) remains a significant hurdle, limiting the seamless exchange of clinical data across different care settings [4]. In addition, differences in testing methods and quality assurance protocols between PoCT devices and central laboratory assays may introduce discrepancies in results and interpretation of results, posing risks to patient safety and clinical decision-making.

Yet, amidst these challenges, there exists a growing recognition of the need for synergy between PoCT and central laboratory testing. Collaborative efforts are underway to bridge the gap, leveraging technological innovations to enhance connectivity, streamlining data exchange, and harmonizing testing methods across different care settings. Interoperable EHR systems and middleware solutions are facilitating the seamless integration of PoCT results into central laboratory databases and EHR, fostering an integrated approach to patient care.

Furthermore, advancements in point-of-care technologies, such as lab-on-a-chip devices, hand-held devices, and mobile phone applications, hold promise in expanding t

Cell population data (CPD) is regarded as the fingerprint of a blood cell at a given moment. CPD parameters harbor information associated with cell morphology and can be automatically generated using modern hematological analyzers. Various studies have revealed many unique clinical applications for CPD, especially for infectious diseases, such as sepsis. For example, one monocyte-related CPD parameter is the monocyte distribution width (MDW), which can be generated using a Beckman Coulter hematological analyzer. MDW has received FDA and CE approval for aiding in sepsis diagnosis in adult patients in the emergency department. Additionally, MDW can serve as a diagnostic biomarker in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. CPD has also been widely explored for possible clinical applications beyond infectious diseases, such as for predicting myelodysplastic syndromes, screening for hematological malignancies, and detecting sterile inflammation. CPD parameter measurements are easily obtained and quite cost-effective, making them practical for clinical use. However, there are some potential drawbacks of CPD parameters. Some pre-analytical conditions can affect CPD values. Furthermore, CPD are specific to certain hematological analyzers and the result cannot be transferred between different analyzers. The practical usefulness of CPD reference intervals is also still questionable. In this review, wesummarize the current studies related to CPD and its clinical applications. Additional well-designed clinical studies related to CPD are still expected.