Solid-phase red cell adherence versus gel column agglutination: Is there any difference for the detection of alloantibodies associated with the JK system?

Background: Detection of alloantibodies associated with the JK system may be tricky. They are nevertheless associated with transfusion reactions and their detection is crucial.

Study Design And Methods: Retrospectively and over a period of 7 years, we compared the results obtained using two different assays for antibody detection.

Vaccine-induced humoral response of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 against BA.1, BA.5, and XBB.1.5. (sub)variants 6 months after a homologous booster: is immunogenicity equivalent?

Introduction: Some studies suggest that the monovalent mRNA-1273 vaccine is more effective than BNT162b2 in producing higher levels of antibodies. However, limited data are available, and the methods used are not directly comparable.

Material And Methods: Blood samples were obtained before the booster (third dose) and after 14, 90, and 180 days in two similar cohorts who received the original BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccine designed to target wild type SARS-CoV-2.

Assessment of the neutralizing antibody response in Omicron breakthrough cases in healthcare workers who received the homologous booster of Moderna mRNA-1273.

Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 were developed during the pandemic including the BNT162b2 and the mRNA-1273. We evaluated the levels of binding antibodies against the receptor binding domain and the levels of NAbs in individuals who developed a breakthrough infection after having received three doses of mRNA-1273. A total of 51 participants were included.

Added value of a connected glucose meter for glycorrhachia assessment.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the performance and added value of rapid glucose determination in cerebrospinal fluid using a connected glucometer.

Design And Methods: Intra-assay and inter-assay accuracies were calculated using residual clinical samples. Accuracies were measured by comparing the results obtained with the glucometer to those from the central laboratory on a large routine chemistry platform.

Clinical evaluation of a dermatophyte RT-PCR assay and its impact on the turn-around-time: A prospective study.

Onychomycosis is an important public health problem whose prevalence continues to grow and impact public health at several levels. Nevertheless, today the main diagnostic methods used in routine practice have many drawbacks. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the clinical performance of a new multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (Novaplex®) in the identification of the causative agent on nail samples, and its impact on the turnaround time, compared to our traditional laboratory methods.

Immunogenicity of mRNA-1273 COVID vaccine after 6 months surveillance in health care workers; a third dose is necessary.

Objectives: Scarce data are currently available on the kinetics of antibodies after vaccination with mRNA vaccines as a whole and, with mRNA-1273, in particular. We report here an ad-interim analysis of data obtained after a 6-month follow-up in a cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs) who received the mRNA-1273 vaccine. These new data provide more insight into whether and in whom a 3rd dose could be necessary.

The challenge of screening SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern with RT-qPCR: One variant can hide another.

Introduction: Following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) worldwide, it is important to monitor local epidemiology to better understand the occurrence of clusters, reinfections, or infection after vaccination. Detecting mutations by specific RT-qPCR is a rapid and affordable alternative to sequencing. However, care must be taken to ensure that the techniques used are up-to-date and adapted to the variants circulating in the studied population.

Efficacy comparison of three rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 and how viral load impact their performance.

More and more rapid antigen tests for the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) appear in the market with varying performance. The sensitivity of these tests heavily depends on the viral load, extrapolated by the threshold cycle (Ct). It is therefore essential to verify their performance before their inclusion in routine.

Management of sickle cell disease during pregnancy: experience in a third-level hospital and future recommendations.

Objective: To describe the outcomes of sickle-cell disease in pregnancy according to the different treatments adopted before and during pregnancy and to propose a systematic approach to treat sickle-cell disease (SCD) during pregnancy.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study compared pregnancy outcomes among women with SCD who stopped hydroxyurea (HU) once pregnant (Group 1), were never treated before and during pregnancy (Group 2) or were treated by HU before conception who received prophylactic transfusion during pregnancy (Group 3). For each group we recorded the population's characteristics and the transfusion-related, obstetrical, perinatal and SCD complications.

Performance evaluation of a new Stago automated haemostasis analyser: The STA R Max 2.

Introduction: The STA R Max 2 is a new coagulation analyser developed by Diagnostica Stago, able to perform clotting, chromogenic and immuno-turbidimetric tests. A pre-analytical module build into the cap-piercing needle performs the sample integrity verification (sample tube filling and measurement of haemolysis, icterus, lipaemia). The STA R Max 2 analyser incorporates an accreditation program tools to assist technical validation of the analyser.

[Large granular lymphocytic leukemia CD3CD56: a challenge for the biologist and the physician].

Large granular lymphocyte leukemia (LGL) are chronic lymphoproliferative disorders classified into three main groups: T-cell LGL leukemia (T-LGL), aggressive NK-cell leukemia and chronic lymphoproliferative disorder of NK cells (NK-LGL). Patients with LGL leukemia exhibit chronic (>3 months) and moderate (<1G/L) to substantial monoclonal expansion of large granular lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Cytologically, large granular lymphocytes are medium to large cells which are further characterized by an eccentric nucleus and a slightly basophilic cytoplasm containing azurophilic granules.