Lab Best Practice | UC Davis Health

Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Specimen Types: Nasal Swabs, Nasopharyngeal Swabs and Beyond

The nasopharyngeal (NP) swab serves as the primary specimen type for respiratory molecular pathogen detection. During the novel coronavirus infectious disease (COVID) pandemic of 2019, the NP swab became the

Role of Quantitative Serology Testing for COVID-19

The current pandemic has led to considerable interest in COVID-19 related laboratory testing. The widespread distribution of the various vaccines, the emerging genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 circulating around the

An Overview of Prosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) Definition and Diagnosis

The numbers of primary total hip and knee arthroplasties have been increasing over time, with 332,000 total hip and 719,000 total knee arthroplasties performed in 2010 in the United States.

Hepatitis B Serologic Testing Methods

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was first discovered in 1965. Briefly, HBV is a DNA virus from the Hepadnaviridae family which is spread via contaminated body fluids. After exposure, the virus enters hepatocytes and .....

Plasma Exchange with Albumin Replacement for Alzheimer’s Disease

The guidelines on the use of therapeutic Apheresis in clinical practice published in JCP 2019 has showed strong consideration for the addition of a new fact sheet on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) based on the ....

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)

FNA is a simple, safe, and Cost-effective procedure for patient with a mass. FNA is a biopsy procedure and should be considered in the same light as a surgical biopsy.

Race and eGFR: Addressing Health Disparities in Chronic Kidney Disease

Starting on May 4, 2021, UC Davis Health will calculate estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate without a parameter for race. African Americans are at high risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) Smear and Culture Testing

It is a foundational principle for any laboratory test procedure that the value of the test heavily relies on using specimens that have been properly collected, labelled, handled or stored prior to....

The Importance of Trephine Biopsy and Aspirate in Bone Marrow Analysis

The morphologic analysis of bone marrow specimen is an essential part of comprehensive evaluation in the diagnosis of hematologic and certain non-hematologic disorders.

The SARS-CoV-2 Variant and its Impact on Diagnostic Testing

The new SARS-CoV-2 mutant (VOC 202012/01) has become the dominant variant in the United Kingdom (UK) with the first known case in the United States identified on December 29, 2020.

Red blood cell antigen phenotyping and genotyping

The main purpose of testing prior to transfusion is to provide the most compatible blood to the patient in order to minimize the risk of hemolytic transfusion reactions.

CAP Inspections and the importance of informatics…

The College of American Pathology (CAP) systematically reviews and accredits laboratories across the U.S. to ensure these laboratories meet certain safety and patient care criteria.

Rapid Combined Flu A/B and SARS-CoV-2 RNA Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing for Emergency and Ambulatory Care Settings

The primary means for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection is by reverse transcriptase (RT) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

GI biopsies with lymphoid aggregates: What does this mean?

Because the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a site of continuous challenge by foreign antigens, it contains a well-developed immune system component.

Introduction to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and the Clinical Laboratory's Role

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is the practice of measuring drug concentrations in order to tailor dosages and maintain therapeutic levels in a patient’s bloodstream.

Challenges and Implications of False Negative COVID-19 Testing

As communities across the U.S. struggle to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have focused on the lack of widespread testing as a major roadblock to reopening the country.

Specimen Collection Practices for Microbiologic Culture

The culturing of microorganisms remains the mainstay of laboratory testing for infectious disease, even in an age of rapid and more cost-effective molecular testing.

Vitreous fluid for primary intraocular lymphoma

Primary intraocular lymphomas (PIOLs) are a subset of primary central nervous system lymphoma arise from retina, vitreous, or optic nerve-with or without central nervous system (CNS) involvement.

Staining Methods in Frozen Section: Best Lab Practices

Tissue staining during a frozen section is one of the most important steps in obtaining an accurate pathologic diagnosis.

Optimal Utilization of Thromboelastrography (TEG)

Thromboelastography (TEG) was first described by Dr. Hartert in Germany almost 60 years ago. However, it came to clinical practice almost 25 years following its discovery.

The Pre-Operative Type and Screen: Why Timing is Everything!

The clinical laboratory is one of the most highly regulated services in the hospital, and transfusion services is one of the most highly regulated areas in the lab!

Cytochrome P450 Genetic Testing: Should we be testing everyone?

Cytochrome P450s (CYP) are a superfamily of heme containing enzymes that play a role in drug metabolism, hormone synthesis/breakdown, and other metabolic pathways.

Molecular Pathogen Detection at the Point of Care: Next Generation Flu Testing!

For years, antigen-based rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDT) have been used to identify patients with influenza at the point of care.

Anti-Factor Xa for Monitoring of Unfractionated Heparin Therapy

Recent developments in the field of coagulation testing have shown that the test previously used to monitor therapeutic dosing of unfractionated heparin (UFH) in hospitalized patients has serious drawbacks.

Best Practices for Cardiac Troponin Testing: Part I

Cardiac troponin (cTn) is the preferred biomarker that aids in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (MI) as defined by the 3rd Universal Definitions of MI.

Biotin Interference in Clinical Immunoassays: The Dose Makes the Interference

Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, is a co-factor in fatty acid metabolism, amino acid degradation, and gluconeogenesis.

Modern Laboratory Techniques for Antiphospholipid Syndrome Testing

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder caused by antibodies against membrane anionic phospholipids or their associated plasma proteins.

Enhanced Detection of Syphilis Infection: Implementation of a Reverse Testing Algorithm

Syphilis is caused by the spirochete bacteria Treponema pallidum. This organism cannot be cultured, therefore diagnosis relies primarily on serologic techniques.

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