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Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the U.S., one in eight women is expected to develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Laboratory testing is indispensable in the diagnosis and management of this disease. In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed each October, this blog highlights the key…
On October 3, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about the confirmed outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the Republic of Rwanda. As of October 2, 2024, 36 laboratory-confirmed cases and 11 deaths have been reported in the Republic of Rwanda, including at…
Chagas disease, caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and transmitted by triatomine insects, or “kissing bugs,” affects over 6 million people worldwide, leading to around 10,000 deaths annually. Despite its global impact, awareness of Chagas disease remains low, especially in the United States. Two Phases of Chagas Disease Chagas disease progresses through two distinct phases:…
COLA, a national laboratory accreditation organization committed to promoting healthcare quality through accreditation and education, proudly announces the appointment of Lynn Jeffers, MD, MBA, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Jeffers’ extensive leadership in medicine and her innovative contributions to healthcare will help advance COLA’s mission of supporting excellence in laboratory practices. Dr. Jeffers was…
As we head into fall 2024, the high-risk season for West Nile Virus is well underway. The CDC tracks cases from June to December, and the U.S. typically records approximately 2,200 cases annually. As of September 10th, nearly 500 cases have been confirmed across 39 states, with more cases anticipated as the season progresses. Understanding…
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first identified in 1959 during an outbreak in a Dutch research monkey colony. The first human case was reported in 1970 in what is now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The causative virus, MPXV, has two distinct lineages: Clade I and Clade II. It belongs to…
In our last blog, we discussed the H5N1 virus, its epidemiology and the nature of avian influenza infection. Today, we will delve into other aspects of H5N1 avian influenza including the current laboratory testing status, lessons learned from COVID-19 and the CDC’s strategic preparedness. Laboratory Testing for Avian Flu For patients exhibiting influenza symptoms, prompt…
On August 13, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about current increases in human parvovirus B19 activity, a seasonal respiratory virus that is transmitted through respiratory droplets by individuals with symptomatic or asymptomatic infection. In early 2024, public health authorities in 14 European countries observed unusually high numbers of…
On August 1, 2024, BD sent an urgent Medical Device Correction update regarding the removal of affected BD BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 PZA Kits. Through internal BD complaint trending and review of internal raw material testing, lots of BD BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 PZA Kits were identified that may intermittently produce falsely resistant results for pyrazinamide (PZA) during susceptibility…
