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If you're interested in blood groups, blood group serology, transfusion or just want to know "what the hell is Kell?" then this talk is for you...

This presentation on the Kell Blood group system will cover the following;

An entertaining overview of the Kell blood group system
Structure, function and molecular background of the most well-known Kell blood group system antigens
Clinical significance of antibodies to Kell blood group system antigens
The association with the Kx blood group system
Interesting facts about the lesser known Kell Blood group system antigens

In 2022 the unthinkable happened - NHSBT was forced to declare an Amber Alert for red cells in England. But does that tell the whole story? This presentation will briefly examine the build-up to the shortage declaration but also consider its impact, provide evidence of the response within hospitals and consider the opportunities for future change in practices.

Managing change with compassion

To explore the molecular profiles of Acanthamoeba from laboratory-confirmed Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) cases reported within the United Kingdom (UK) using DNA taken directly from clinical samples.

Acanthamoeba species are free-living organisms responsible for causing a debilitating, sight-threatening disease of the cornea. Of the 24 known Acanthamoeba species, 14 cause AK.

Thirty-five Acanthamoeba DNA-positive corneal samples from the Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratories (SMiRL), Glasgow collection were selected from cases reported from 2017 - 2019. Following extraction of the DNA directly from each clinical specimen, the DNA was subjected to in-depth molecular typing using a nested PCR / bi-directional sequencing approach.

Molecular profiling was successful for 32 samples which comprised of two genotypes namely T3 and T4. The T4 genotype were further sub-typed; five sub-types existed namely; T4A, T4B, T4C, T4E and T4F.

Using a molecular typing assay applied directly to corneal tissue, this study highlights the T4 genotype and the T4A subtype are the predominant molecular variants of Acanthamoeba to cause ocular disease in the UK. Gaining in-depth information on the molecular profiling of Acanthamoeba is essential to increase our knowledge and understanding of the epidemiology, transmission pathways and potential associations with clinical outcomes for this rare, yet potentially debilitating ocular disease.

Monkeypox case management/infection control

This presentation will include how her career progressed to a Point of Care Testing (POCT) role in the Wales Specialist Virology Centre. It will also cover what POCT is; the method of testing, who gets tested and why POCT is crucial in the efforts to achieve the WHO initiative to eliminate Hepatitis C in Wales.

Examples of what a day-in-the-life of a "POCT-er" consists of: mass screening projects, case studies, what has been learnt from testing in prison and in the community (homeless shelters and substance misuse services). The future of POCT: what's on the horizon?

The presentation provides an overview on potential benefits and risks of near-patient testing conducted by health care professionals, including testing of self-collected specimens.

This presentation will outline the content of Paola's Clincal Case Study from her Higher Specialist Portfolio in Medical Microbiology. Here she will present the initial clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of a case of neonatal sepsis that linked to a previous unusual maternal screening swab. She will also outline her experience of the Higher Specialist Diploma and her plans for developing a training plan within Microbiology QMC, Nottingham for future candidates within their trust.

Next-generation molecular diagnostics: Leveraging digital technologies to enhance multiplexing in real-time PCR

Nuisance Antibodies