Clinical biochemistry
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Clinical biochemistry · Dec 2020
ReviewCanadian society of clinical chemists (CSCC) interim consensus guidance for testing and reporting of SARS-CoV-2 serology.
Clinical laboratories across the world are working to validate and perform testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Herein, we present interim consensus guidance for Canadian clinical laboratories testing and reporting SARS-CoV-2 serology, with emphasis on the capabilities and limitations of these tests and recommendations for interpretative comments in an effort to achieve harmonized laboratory practices. The consensus document provides a broad overview of topics including sample type and contamination risk; kinetics of antibody response to COVID-19 and the impact on serology testing; clinical utility of SARS-CoV-2 serology testing; clinical performance of commercial laboratory-based assays commonly deployed in North America; recommendations for interim reporting; utility of SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing for pediatric patients; and utility of point-of-care testing. The information is based on the current literature and is subject to change as additional information becomes available.
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Clinical biochemistry · Dec 2020
Staff rostering, split team arrangement, social distancing (physical distancing) and use of personal protective equipment to minimize risk of workplace transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic: A simulation study.
The recent global survey promoted by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) Taskforce on COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) described staff rostering and organization as significant operational challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Laboratories should consider organizing the staff into smaller teams/shift and reduce the number of consecutive days worked. Additionally, our observation aligns with the IFCC biosafety recommendation of monitoring staff health (to detect early infection), split team arrangement, workplace social distancing and use of PPE.
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Clinical biochemistry · Dec 2020
High clinical performance and quantitative assessment of antibody kinetics using a dual recognition assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies.
Several serological SARS-CoV-2 immunoassays have been developed recently but require external validation before widespread use. This study aims at assessing the analytical and clinical performance of the iFlash® anti-SARS-CoV-2 chemiluminescence assay for the detection of both IgM and IgG antibodies. The kinetics of the antibody response was also evaluated. ⋯ This study shows that the iFlash® SARS-CoV-2 assay from YHLO biotechnology, has satisfactory analytical performance. Nevertheless, the sensitivity of the IgM is limited for a proper clinical use compared to IgG. The determination of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies from 28 days since symptom onset was associated with high sensitivity, especially using optimized cut-offs (i.e. 100%).
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Clinical biochemistry · Jul 2020
Case Reports2019 Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in hemodialysis patients: A report of two cases.
To analyze the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic renal failure complicated with novel coronavirus pneumonia, and to evaluate the effect of blood purification technology on the treatment and prognosis of such patients. ⋯ Two COVID-19 patients on maintenance hemodialysis discharged after a month of hospitalization. The removal of cytokines through blood purification technology may be beneficial for the recovery of COVID-19 patients.