Search

Eco-epidemiology of tick-borne encephalitis virus in the UK

Globally, arthropod-borne viral diseases represent one the of greatest threats to public and animal health. Vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks and midges transmit a vast range of viruses. For the UK, historically free of many arthropod-borne pathogens, events in mainland Europe have had a profound impact on the risk of disease emergence and this trend will continue. Mosquito-borne viruses provide an example of this process where the introduction of exotic species, such as the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) across much of Europe, has increased the risk of emergence of human pathogens such as dengue and chikungunya fever. This mosquito species has also been detected in southern England.

In recent decades there has been a dramatic increase in the distribution of zoonotic viruses such as West Nile and Usutu in mainland Europe that are making the introduction of these pathogens through short distance bird migration increasingly likely. This has been realised with the repeated detection of Usutu virus in Central London during the late summer months since 2020. In the absence of vaccines against many of these viruses, early detection linked to public awareness campaigns offer the best options for mitigating the impact of these threats.

EQA of Autoimmunity

Expanding your role into Point-of-Care Testing – a career opportunity to consider

Gynae pathology

Highlighting the value of diagnostics, promoting the diagnostic workforce and improving diagnostic services

Highlights from the 2022 Annual SHOT Report: lessons learnt and learning from excellence

This presentation will cover a case study completed as part of the IBMS Specialist Diploma in Immunology in 2022. It will be of interest to anyone considering completing the Higher Specialist Diploma in Immunology, or anyone who would like to learn more about the case study element. It will also be of interest to anyone who would like to learn more about the protocols used for reading and reporting methods including immunophenotyping by flow cytometry, serum protein electrophoresis and immunotyping, serum free light chains and Bence Jones protein analysis at Greater Manchester Immunology Service (GMIS).

The case is one of an elderly gentleman with who, like roughly a third of new myeloma cases in the UK, presented through A&E. The presentation will cover pre-analysis, analysis and post-analysis, considering how the tests performed in the Immunology laboratory assist in the differential diagnosis and where they fit in with the other tests ordered, both tests within and outside of the Immunology discipline. The presentation will cover the methods performed at GMIS and some of the reporting protocols, as well as discussing some of the relevant associated guidelines.

Immunology online Specialist Diploma programme

Antimicrobial resistance is a major concern with mortality rates growing exponentially. Current ASTs used clinically can take 24-48hrs to report results, ensuing in initial treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics. The novel iFAST method can report results within 2 hours of exposure to an antibiotic. The main objective of this study was to measure the impedance signal of resistant and sensitive isolates of Staphylococcus aureus that had been exposed to cefoxitin. Sequentially collected bacterial isolates were accessed from the clinical microbiology laboratory to determine susceptibility.

50 methicillin resistant/sensitive isolates of S. aureus were taken from the middle of the clinical workflow and tested on the iFAST. The isolates were streaked onto blood plates and incubated at 37 degrees for 2 hours. The bacteria were then exposed to cefoxitin for 2 hours at the EUCAST breakpoint concentration of 8mg/L. Following exposure, the samples were measured on the iFAST.

The impedance cytometer measures the electrical signal of bacterial cells as they individually flow through a microfluidic channel, via electrodes driven by an AC current of multiple frequencies. This is interpreted as a read-out of cell volume and opacity. Exposure to antibiotics can change the electrical characteristics of the bacterial cell in size and opacity compared to the control sample. The number of exposed cells within the contour defined by the control sample can measure how the cells have altered in opacity and size following exposure.

iFAST results showed 100% concordance with disk diffusion sensitivity testing carried out by the clinical laboratory. The data showed different electrical impedance changes for both resistant and sensitive strains of S. aureus. Sensitive strains showed a decrease in cell size and resistant strains showed an increase in cell size following exposure to cefoxitin.

The bacterial impedance cytometer was able to rapidly differentiate between MRSA and MSSA isolates in concordance with current susceptibility testing in the clinical setting. The results help to show how the iFAST could reduce the time taken to provide critical and accurate antibiotic treatment to patients.