Webinars

In an effort to contain the spread of multidrug resistant nosocomial infections with Candida auris (C. auris), the BayCare Laboratory and BayCare Infection Prevention departments developed a screening algorithm to identify patients colonized with C. auris.  Specifically patients admitted from Long Term Care facilities and those known to be exposed to other C. auris positive patients are tested by PCR and fungal culture. Patients are kept in isolation until the results of the test are known. Validation of the PCR assay followed CAP recommendations and included accuracy, sensitivity and specificity studies.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the impact of  aurisinfection in the healthcare system
• Review screening algorithms
• Discuss laboratory test validation
• Review results and lessons learned from the past 6 months of screening

Accurate and cost-effectiveness detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection is an essential component of efforts to treat patients and to contain spread of the virus in the community. Molecular and antigen tests are targeted for early diagnosis while immunoassays have a preeminent role in understanding longitudinal immunity, and in vaccine development and response. This symposium is presenting the current diagnostic modalities for SARS-CoV-2 through the contributions of international experts. A multiplicity of experiences in testing COVID-19 individuals and monitoring the immune response after natural infections or vaccination, outlining the appropriate use of the different diagnostic tools.

SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve and surveillance of variants is a necessity. Routine analysis of genetic sequence data allows the identification and characterization of variant viruses and aids in the investigation of how variants impact COVID-19 disease severity, the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments as well as diagnostic test accuracy. This webinar will discuss one laboratory’s approach to routine genomic surveillance for rapid identification of new mutations, and discuss the use of Simplexa^® SARS-CoV-2 Variants Direct (RUO)* as a tool to rapidly identify mutations associated with variants of interest and concern together with next generation sequencing.

Objectives include:

– Describe the concept of SARS-CoV-2 genetic mutation and how genetic variability could impact public health, medical initiatives, and diagnostic testing.

– Explore testing algorithms that could help identify variants with potential medical importance.

– List the major types of next generation sequencing platforms and compare and contrast test selection methods between NGS and multiplex real-time RT-PCR.

The DiaSorin Molecular Simplexa^® SARS-CoV-2 Variants Direct kit is a Research Use Only (RUO) assay intended for the in vitro qualitative detection and differentiation of the mutations N501Y, E484K, E484Q and L452R present in the genome of SARS-CoV-2 in nasal and nasopharyngeal swab specimens from patients with known SARS-CoV-2 infection.

This webinar explores:

• SARS-CoV-2 variants and surveillance programs
• Simplexa^® SARS-CoV-2 Variants Direct (RUO) assay description
• Liaison^® MDX melting curve analysis and internal data

**For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.**

There are tick-borne diseases beyond what causes Lyme disease. Different geographies have differing prevalence’s of tick-borne infections. In the northeastern USA, some of the other infectious agents are Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia species and Ehrlichia species.

This talk will describe our experiences on the processes used to implement a multiplex molecular laboratory developed test (LDT) for the detection of A. phagocytophilum, Babesia spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in a clinical reference laboratory. We will discuss various testing options including assay types and ordering algorithms. Our experiences and lessons learned after implementation will be discussed, including the testing challenges we had related to COVID-19.

Learning objectives:

• Describe the various methods available for detection of Anaplasma, Babesia and Ehrlichia
• Understand the process of LDT validation
• Discuss advantages and limitations of in-house testing

To receive credit for this webinar visit Labroots

There has been a major development in the serologic diagnosis of Lyme disease. All parties agree (as before) on the paradigm of “Two Tier Testing”. The “Old” recommendation is called STTT, or Standard Two Tier Testing (ELISA reflexed to IgG and IgM WB). There are well known drawbacks and problems with this, acknowledged by the CDC and many specialists in the field. This led to the development and adoption of an improved paradigm called MTTT, or Modified Two Tier Testing. Modified Two Tiered Testing is well validated, the associated tests have been FDA cleared and they’ve been shown to perform equal to or superior to STTT in all stages of Lyme infection.

Another change is the continued appreciation of co-infections (one tick bite transmitting multiple pathogens), with implications of the types of diagnostic tests, including the available PCR tests, to be ordered in symptomatic persons following tick bites. Finally, there continues to be new emerging TBDs, including Anaplasma, Babesia, and Ehrlichia, plus further geographic spread of the more traditional well-known agents.

Learning objectives:

• Enable participants to appreciate the prevalence and epidemiology of these TBDs.
• Understand the differences between MTTT and STTT for Lyme serologic testing.
• Appreciate co-infections and the role of PCR in acute TBD panels.