Brian Casey[email protected]SepsisMicrofluidic device could enable faster sepsis diagnosisSepsis occurs when the body's immune response to an infection spurs a chain reaction of inflammation. Sepsis is a leading cause of death in hospitals in the U.S., resulting in nearly 250,000 patient deaths a year.July 23, 2019InfluenzaELISA blood test helps identify flu immunityThe researchers focused on 88 people in Nicaragua who were confirmed to be infected with pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus, as well as 300 people in their households who had contact with those infected. The investigators first used the ELISA blood test to measure pre-existing levels of antibodies produced against hemagglutinin (HA), a mushroom-shaped protein found on the surface of the influenza virus that is key to its infectivity. They then obtained additional blood samples 30 to 45 days later and acquired nasal and throat swabs to track who became infected with the flu virus.June 3, 2019Testicular CancerBreast cancer drives disparity between younger men, womenFor all ages, cancer mortality fell 1.8% annually among men and was down 1.4% annually among women. Cancer incidence was slightly higher in men than in women of all ages, with an incidence of 494.3 cancers per 100,000 men versus an incidence of 420.5 cancers per 100,000 women.May 29, 2019HematologyFDA announces Beckman Coulter recall of hematology analyzersThe recalled products include the company's DxH 800, DxH 600, and DxH 900 analyzers, the FDA said. The agency noted the action was classified as a class I recall, the most serious type of recall, in which use of the devices could cause serious injury or death. The FDA pointed out, however, that it was not aware of any serious adverse events that had resulted from use of the analyzers.May 22, 2019Coronary Artery DiseaseShould blood donations be screened for high cholesterol?Familial hypercholesterolemia is found in 1 in 250 individuals in the general population, and it can lead to premature coronary artery disease (CAD) due to elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The condition is underdiagnosed and undertreated, although it is easily detected through blood lipid profiles or genetic testing; treatment includes statins, which effectively reduce LDL cholesterol levels.May 22, 2019National Coverage DeterminationCMS opens review of NGS testing for hereditary cancerCMS announced that it has begun a national coverage analysis (NCA) of next-generation sequencing for Medicare beneficiaries with advanced cancer. The NCA announcement triggers a 30-day comment period that will expire on May 29. The agency expects to issue a proposed decision memo on the topic by October 2019, with completion of the review in January 2020.April 28, 2019Inflammatory DiseaseResearchers link protein group to end-stage renal diseaseResearchers found that a group of 17 circulating inflammatory proteins were consistently associated with a patient's progression to end-stage renal disease. They believe that the protein group, called the kidney risk inflammatory signature (KRIS), could alert physicians to the chance that a diabetic patient's disease is at risk of progressing.April 22, 2019Breast CancerCAP, ASCO taking comments on guidelines for breast cancer receptor testingMore than 1Â million women around the world are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and receptor testing conducted on biopsied tissue typically finds that eight in 10 have estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Hormone receptor status can be valuable for classifying tumors and for guiding treatment, such as by identifying women who might benefit from endocrine therapy.April 15, 2019Research ConsortiumAre commercial labs falling short in prenatal testing?NIPS testing involves analyzing blood samples from pregnant women for DNA fragments derived from the placenta. These samples can reveal genetic or chromosomal conditions in a fetus, including Down syndrome, trisomies involving chromosomes 13 or 18, and extra or missing copies of the X or Y sex chromosomes.April 2, 2019Pathology, histologyBlood test focuses on PlGF to diagnose pre-eclampsiaPre-eclampsia often begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy and occurs with the onset of high blood pressure and elevated protein levels in the urine. More severe disease can lead to worsened liver function, damage to other vital organs, and even seizures. Globally, some 100 women die of pre-eclampsia per day.April 1, 2019Previous PagePage 5 of 6Next PageTop StoriesFDA Warning LetterFDA issues warning for Cue Health COVID-19 testsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to consumers and healthcare providers not to use Cue Health's COVID-19 over-the-counter test and its COVID-19 test intended for point-of-care settings due to an increased risk of false results.Emerging TechnologyBiomarker extraction through ultrasound shows promise for cancer detectionTrends and FinanceNorthwell Health Cancer Institute opens molecular diagnostics laboratoryConcussionDanaher launches collaboration with Johns Hopkins University on TBI diagnosticsSponsor ContentVisit our Molecular Diagnostics Community