International Journal of Medical Laboratory
Volume:9 Issue: 2, May 2022

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a global problem and the most common cause of jaundice in neonates. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Jiroft city in southern Kerman.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from 2016 to 2019. Blood samples were taken from all patients referred to Imam Hospital in Jiroft city in southern Iran. The G6PD enzyme activity was evaluated by a fluorescent spot test.

In the present study, a total of 7791 newborns were included. Abnormal activity of G6PD was seen in 779 (10%) subjects. Out of 779 patients, 728 (9.4%) were found to be G6PD deficient, and 49 (0.6%) exhibited partial deficiency. A relatively high percentage of G6PD deficiency was seen in newborns of Jirof city. We strongly recommend screening for G6PD enzyme activity in all newborns in this city.

In recent years, viral epidemics such as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have spread, and this outbreak is thought to be the result of animal-to-human transmission. Hence, accurate diagnostic tests to detect COVID-19 and antiviral antibodies in infected individuals are of utmost importance. This report describes the structure, history, taxonomy, and molecular and immunological techniques for diagnosing this disease. Tests for early diagnosis of COVID-19 depend on the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). However, tests based on isothermal amplification and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based methods are promising options. Identifying people whose activated antibodies require serological tests, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The search for efficient, cost-effective, and accurate laboratory techniques that can be used on a large scale continues. The RT-PCR technique is a dominant technique for the detection of viral RNA. Other acidic nucleic-based assays such as isothermal amplification, microarray hybridization, amplicon-based metagenomics sequencing, and CRISPER-based techniques have been developed. Along with molecular methods, different efficient serological and immunological methods such as ELISA, rapid antigen test, lateral flow immunoassay, luminescent Immunoassay, and biosensors are also developed.

Atherosclerosis is known as an inflammatory disease that can affect any vessel in the body. The occurrence of atherosclerosis in heart vessels is called coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Different genetic and environmental factors can cause cardiovascular diseases, such as age, weight, sex, and low high-density lipoproteins (HDL) levels. Antioxidant and anti-atherogenic effects of HDL are related to proteins attached, such as Paraoxonase (PON). The Paraoxonase gene family has three members, PON-I, PON-II, and PON-III, located next to each other, on the long arm of chromosome 7, in humans. It seems polymorphisms and genetic variation resulting in several different phenotypes can affect the PON function. Due to its role in the human antioxidant system, changes in paraoxonase activity can increase or even reduce the risk of CAD. In this investigation, we reviewed different studies that showed, in some populations, specific polymorphisms with an effect on enzymatic activity ultimately increase or decrease the risk of disease in individuals. In contrast, no association has been found between disease and polymorphism in some populations. Therefore, further studies and meta-analyses in this field seem to be useful.

Improving the Quality Management System (QMS) of clinical laboratories and achieving accreditation are important in health care delivery. It can be achieved by implementing the World Health Organizaton Stepwise Laboratory Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA). The SLIPTA program was introduced to the Bamenda Regional Hospital (BRHL) in 2010. Our objectives were to identify improvements and evaluate the QMS at the BRHL. Training, mentorship, and improvement of laboratory infrastructure were considered for the program to succeed.

Secondary data from the WHO SLIPTA assessment reports of the BRHL between November 2009 and March 2018 were extracted. The assessments were conducted by the WHO African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) SLIPTA certified and competent auditors, using the SLIPTA checklist. The final percentage score(s)/star(s) of the assessments was/were identified as improvements, and the evaluation was done by taking the difference between an absolute score of the Quality System Essentials (QSE) of the baseline recent follow-up assessment.

A total of nine SLIPTA assessments were carried out. The results indicated great improvements in the QMS from a baseline score of 18% (0-star) to 82% (3-stars) at the recent follow-up assessment. There were also significant changes in the QSE, with the final absolute scores ≥ 58% in all aspects and the greatest change registered in the management review (94%).

We identified incredible improvements and magnificent changes in the QMS at the BRHL that were due to training, mentorship, and improvements in infrastructure resulting from the implementation of the SLIPTA program.

As a method for the diagnosis and management of sepsis, the serum procalcitonin assay is routinely used, especially in the emergency department (ED) and intensive care units (ICU). Procalcitonin has reasonable diagnostic accuracy for bacteremia in hospitalized patients of all age groups with suspected infection or sepsis. This study aimed to compare the Getein Biotech procalcitonin point of care method with the ADVIA Centaur® BRAHMS serum procalcitonin method.

Linearity,recovery, accuracy, and imprecision studies were carried out to evaluate the analytical performance. Bland-Altman plots and Passing-Bablok regression analysis were used to compare patient results. The Kappa test assessed the concordance between the results at cut-off levels of 0.5ng/mL and 2.0ng/mL.

In the linearity study performed by obtaining serial dilutions from high and low-level serum pools, the regression equations were "y=-0.03(-0.07 to 0.05)+1.01(0.7 to 1.08)x" and "y=0.463(-1.16 to 2.01)+0.912(0.72 to 1.04)x" respectively. There is no deviation from linearity with the Cusum test (p=0.99 and 0.57). Average recovery value:86%. The CV% values of Control Level-1,2 were 3.75% and 4.2%. 0.1-50.0ng/ml range shows deviation from linearity determined by Cusum test (p=0.01). There was no deviation from linearity in the range of 0.1-2.0ng/ml (p=0.42). Kappa values were calculated as 0.864 and 0.800 (p<0.001).

Getein1600 Procalcitonin test should be used for triage or screening purposes. However, a high constant error and deviation from linearity detected at high concentrations indicate that this test should not be used to initiate an antibiotic therapy or alter the current therapy course.

This cross-sectional study examined the nutritional status, serum proteins, and some trace elements in human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) drug-naive patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Twenty-five drug-naive subjects, 25 subjects on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and 20 control subjects aged 21 to 65 years were conveniently recruited. Serum total protein, albumin, and hemoglobin were assayed spectrophotometrically. In contrast, iron, copper, zinc, and selenium were assayed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. CD4 count was done by Flow Cytometry. Then, the nutritional assessment was performed using a subjective global assessment questionnaire.

Weight, body mass index, and mid-upper arm circumference were significantly lower (p = 0.000) in the drug-naive HIV subjects than in subjects on HAART and control. Serum total protein and copper were significantly higher (p = 0.000) in drug-naive HIV subjects compared to subjects on HAART and control. In contrast, albumin, globulin, albumin-globulin ratio, hemoglobin, iron, zinc, and selenium were significantly lower (p = 0.000) in drug-naive HIV subjects compared to HIV subjects on HAART and control subjects. The CD4 count of drug-naive HIV subjects was significantly lower (p = 0.000) compared to subjects on HAART. In addition, malnutrition was higher in the drug-naive subjects.

Monitoring the course of HIV infection and malnutrition can be aided by incorporating measurements of nutritional status and some trace elements into routine laboratory tests.

Detection of overexpression in tumor-inhibiting genes provides valuable information for leukemia diagnosis and prognosis. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a stem cell disorder determined by a well-defined genetic anomaly involving BCR-ABL translocation in the Philadelphia chromosome. Curcumin is a chemo-preventive agent for the primary cancer targets, such as the breast, prostate, lung, stomach, duodenum, colon cancers, and leukemias. Imatinib (Gleevec®, Glivec®) is a synthetic tyrosine kinase inhibitor that treats CML. This study aimed to investigate Curcumin and Imatinib's effect on K562, a human CML cell line that expresses p210 BCR-ABL.

In this study, Curcumin nanomicelles and Imatinib's apoptotic effects on the K562 cells and the expression of BCR-ABL were studied. BCR-ABL gene expression was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The findings indicated a decrease in the desired gene expression, but the BCR-ABL gene expression of the samples treated with Curcumin nanomicelles did not differ significantly from Imatinib (group control). The amount fold change of the BCR-ABL gene for Imatinib and Curcumin nanomicelle was 0.497 and 0.540, respectively.

The present study showed that treating cellular category k562 with Curcumin nanomicelle and Imatinib reduces the BCR-ABL gene expression. Also, data showed that the Curcumin nanomicelle and Imatinib induced the apoptotic process.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammation of the skin caused by the proliferation of inappropriately differentiated horn cells, resulting in plaque psoriasis formation. It is not often fatal, and it may lead to physical disabilities and severe mental stress in which professional and social activities could be highly affected. It is generally accepted that the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-CW06 allele has a significant role in the onset of this disease.

This study determines the association between the HLA-CW06 allele and psoriasis. The present case-control study was conducted to evaluate the relation between HLA-CW06 and psoriasis in a population in Iran. This study was performed on 30 samples of patients with psoriasis.

The results of polymerase chain reaction- sequence-specific primers for the detection of HLA-CW06 showed positive amplification in 7 out of 30 psoriasis patients as compared to 4 among 30 controls.

This study showed that due to different allele frequencies associated with psoriasis in different parts of the world, it seems that other genetic and epigenetic factors may be involved in this disease.