Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis最新文献

{"title":"Causal Interplay Between Inflammatory Cytokines and Lipid Metabolites in Serous Ovarian Carcinoma: Insights From a Genetic Association Study.","authors":"Chong-Ze Yang, Lan-Hui Qin, Cheng-Can Huang, Xiao-Li Huang, Ying-Xia Yang, Wei Lan, Miao Fan","doi":"10.1002/jcla.70250","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.70250","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The causal roles and interactions of inflammatory cytokines and metabolic reprogramming in serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC) remain unclear. This study explored their relationships using Mendelian randomization (MR).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this two-sample MR analysis, GWAS data of inflammatory cytokines and blood metabolites were used as exposures, and SOC from the FinnGen consortium served as the outcome. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was the primary MR method, supplemented by MR Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode. Two-step mediation MR was applied to evaluate whether specific metabolites mediated the effect of inflammatory cytokines on SOC. Sensitivity analyses, including heterogeneity and pleiotropy tests, were conducted to assess robustness.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five inflammatory cytokines were identified as risk factors for SOC: CSF1 (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.17-2.43), CXCL1 (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.01-1.93), IL-20 (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.03-3.35), IL-8 (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.08-2.39), and VEGF-A (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.00-1.54). Furthermore, 1-Palmitoyl-GPG (16:0) potentially mediates the relationship between IL-8 and SOC, explaining ~10% of the total effect. No pleiotropy or heterogeneity was detected.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This two-sample MR study provides preliminary genetic evidence that inflammatory cytokines contribute to SOC risk, with lipid metabolism partially mediating IL-8 effects. These findings highlight the interplay between inflammation and metabolism in SOC pathogenesis and suggest potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Due to limited sample sizes and European-only ancestry datasets, these findings require validation in larger, multi-ancestry cohorts.</p>","PeriodicalId":15509,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis","volume":" ","pages":"e70250"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147856254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Isolated Pleural Effusion as Presentation of a Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report and Diagnostic Considerations.","authors":"Van Vlierberghe Magalie, Dewaide Rosina, Michaux Lucienne, Develter Wim, Van Aelst Sophie, Claerhout Helena","doi":"10.1002/jcla.70244","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.70244","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fluid Overload-associated Large B-Cell Lymphoma (FO-LBCL) is one of the newly added entities in the WHO classification of Haematolymphoid Tumors 5th edition [1]. Formerly, these cases were classified as primary effusion lymphoma-like (effusion) lymphoma (PEL-like (effusion) lymphoma) or HHV8-unrelated PEL-like lymphoma. As knowledge grew regarding the differences in clinical presentation and prognosis of these entities, the need for a distinct classification became apparent.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We describe a case of a 79-year-old man with acute dyspnea and cough due to massive pleural effusion, revealed by CT scan of the thorax. Further diagnostic evaluation with PET-CT showed no detectable tumor mass apart from the pleural fluid. Pleural fluid cytology revealed numerous large atypical lymphoid cells. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping showed a predominant monoclonal CD19+/CD20+ B-cell population with light chain restriction and CD5 expression. Molecular analysis demonstrated partial clonality, and cytogenetics revealed a complex hyperdiploid karyotype. EBV in situ hybridization and testing for HHV8 and HIV were negative. No underlying immunodeficiency or systemic disease was identified.</p><p><strong>Results and conclusion: </strong>Based on these findings, diagnosis was most consistent with FO-LBCL, but distinction from other HHV8-negative effusion-based large B-cell lymphomas remains challenging due to overlapping features. The patient received R-CHOP-based immunochemotherapy and remains clinically stable without systemic progression. This case highlights the critical role of integrated cytologic, immunophenotypic, molecular, and virological analyses in establishing the correct classification of effusion-based large B-cell lymphomas and underscores the diagnostic challenges posed by this emerging entity. Accurate recognition of FO-LBCL is essential, as its clinical behavior and therapeutic implications differ from other effusion-based lymphomas.</p>","PeriodicalId":15509,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis","volume":" ","pages":"e70244"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147856285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of Potential Sources of Variability on the Analytical Performance of a Circulating Tumor DNA Minimal Residual Disease Test for B-Cell Lymphomas.","authors":"Nina Klimova, Alanna Roff, Justine McCutcheon, Alex Aheimer, Sandra L Close, Richard D Hockett, Stephanie Meek, Laura Hyland","doi":"10.1002/jcla.70258","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.70258","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To evaluate the robustness of circulating tumor DNA minimal residual disease (ctDNA-MRD) test results to common factors that could impact performance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>DNA from three sample types is required: somatic, germline, and MRD monitoring. Different sample sources were evaluated for germline [whole blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)] and somatic (pre-treatment plasma, tumor) samples. Extraction methods, common interfering substances, and DNA input mass were evaluated for impact on MRD determination. Each comparison was performed in isolation. Overall test variability was also evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Whole blood and PBMCs were acceptable germline sample types, with minimal differences in identification of somatic variants. Both pre-treatment plasma and tumor were acceptable somatic sample types, achieving the same 95% hit rate of three mutant molecules. Agreement between results from different extraction methods and in the presence of interfering substances was 100%. Positive percent agreement (PPA) between results from DNA input masses above and below the test upper and lower limits decreased, though PPA was 100% between 4 ng and the lower limit (5 ng). Variance in test performance fell within acceptable ranges (coefficient of variation 4.95%-10.33%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Major potential sources of variation and interference did not significantly impact ctDNA-MRD test performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":15509,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis","volume":" ","pages":"e70258"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147838711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association Between Multi-Laboratory Parameters Pre- and Post-Treatment and Pathological Features and Their Values in Clinical Decision in Primary Hepatic Carcinoma.","authors":"Xiaowei Chi, Weifang Liu, Zihan Liu, Jie Liu","doi":"10.1002/jcla.70254","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.70254","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Primary hepatic cancer (PHC) is still a significant burden worldwide. The efficacy of diagnosis, treatment response monitoring, and prognostication using laboratory biomarkers is still a challenge. This study analyzed multi-laboratory parameters pre- and post-treatment and their associations with clinical and pathological features and clinical decisions in PHC patients to evaluate their clinical usefulness.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study analyzed laboratory data from PHC patients by comparing changes between pre- and post-treatment and the efficacy of commonly used tumor markers and their associations with clinical and pathological features. Data from 441 PHC patients were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and alpha-L-fucosidase (AFU), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), and hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) were reduced after treatment; AFP, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and cancer antigen 19-9 (CA-199) showed value in assisting the judgment of surgical resection; serum ferritin increased significantly along with stage advanced. AFP, CEA, CA-199, and ferritin were lower in surgical resection patients than non-surgical patients. A significant association was displayed between AFP levels and multiple biomarkers and clinical features when AFP cut-off was adjusted to 140 ng/mL. AFP was increased in PHC patients with chronic hepatitis B infection and liver cirrhosis, while CA-199 was decreased in both situations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Tumor marker AFP, CEA, CA-199, serum chemistry test panel AFU, ALT, AST, γ-GT, bilirubin, protein, and HBV DNA are useful indicators in monitoring therapeutic response and disease progression and may be used as indicators in assisting the judgment of surgical resection of PHC.</p>","PeriodicalId":15509,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis","volume":" ","pages":"e70254"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147815745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Inflammation and Erythropoietin Resistance in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study of C-Reactive Protein and Anemia in Hemodialysis Patients.","authors":"Collince Odiwuor Ogolla, Lucy W Karani, Stanslaus Musyoki, Phidelis Maruti","doi":"10.1002/jcla.70247","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.70247","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Anemia represents a frequent complication in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis. Inflammation results in disruption of erythropoiesis and establishment of less effective responses to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs).</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study investigated how systemic inflammation, which C-reactive protein (CRP) measured, relates to anemia severity and erythropoietin (EPO) responsiveness among patients with chronic kidney disease who undergo maintenance hemodialysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cross-sectional study design involving 120 CKD patients. Participants were classified into high inflammation group for CRP levels at or above 10 mg/L and low inflammation group for CRP levels below 10 mg/L. Hematological parameters and iron status indices were analyzed, and weekly EPO doses were recorded. Pearson correlation and multivariable linear regression analyses were done while controlling for age, sex, comorbidities, and dialysis duration.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>High inflammation group displayed hematocrit level of 29.6% ± 4.8% while the control group showed a level of 34.2% ± 5.2% which produced a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). CRP exhibited a negative correlation with hematocrit (r = -0.42, p < 0.001) and transferrin saturation (r = -0.36, p < 0.001) but showed a positive correlation with EPO dose (r = 0.48, p < 0.001). CRP established an independent relationship with hematocrit (β = -0.43, 95% CI: -0.58 to -0.28) and EPO dosage (β = 401, 95% CI: 210 to 592) during the multivariable analysis.</p><p><strong>Limitations: </strong>Cross-sectional design restricts causal relationships while the research team evaluated CRP as the only inflammatory marker.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Systemic inflammation establishes a significant connection to anemia severity and EPO resistance, which affects CKD patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":15509,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis","volume":" ","pages":"e70247"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147815769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Naganishia uzbekistanensis: Diagnostic Challenges and Antifungal Resistance Profile.","authors":"Xin Fan, Xinfei Chen, Jin Li, Rongchen Dai, Pengjie Hu, Li Gu, Meng Xiao, Xiaomin Yu","doi":"10.1002/jcla.70251","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.70251","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Naganishia (N.) uzbekistanensis is a rare basidiomycetous yeast within the family Filobasidiaceae, widely distributed in environmental niches, with very limited clinical data available. Its clinical and microbiological features remain poorly understood, posing diagnostic challenges in clinical microbiology laboratories.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We describe a pulmonary infection caused by N. uzbekistanensis strain CY11558 and present an expanded laboratory investigation of this previously reported clinical strain. The strain was analyzed using a comprehensive laboratory workflow that included conventional culture, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and molecular identification based on rDNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted to assess the genetic relationship with reference strains. Antifungal susceptibility testing and in vitro Titan cell induction assays were also performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Conventional MALDI-TOF MS failed to identify the strain, while rDNA sequencing confirmed N. uzbekistanensis. Cryptococcal antigen testing yielded a weakly positive result with the pure culture supernatant, while the patient's serum remained negative. The strain showed markedly elevated MICs for echinocandins, flucytosine, and fluconazole, whereas MICs for voriconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B were comparatively low. Microscopic examination revealed round yeast cells without pseudohyphae. SEM showed globular cells enveloped by a fibrillar network. Titan cell formation was not observed. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated intraspecies variability without geographic association.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides comprehensive phenotypic, including antifungal susceptibility, and molecular characterization of N. uzbekistanensis, emphasizing the need for molecular tools in identifying uncommon yeasts. The findings expand current understanding of its morphological and resistance traits and highlight potential diagnostic challenges in clinical laboratories.</p>","PeriodicalId":15509,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis","volume":" ","pages":"e70251"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147815794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of the Recovery of Immune Status in the Patients With Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria After Treatment With C5 Complement Inhibitor.","authors":"Hui Liu, Mengting Che, Liyan Li, Honglei Wang, Chaomeng Wang, Junshu Wu, Yingying Chen, Zhaoyun Liu, Lijuan Li, Rong Fu","doi":"10.1002/jcla.70211","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.70211","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Currently, C5 complement inhibitors serve as the first-line therapy for classic paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), effectively controlling hemolysis and enhancing patients' quality of life. However, the impact of this treatment on patients' immune status remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was conducted on 27 PNH patients treated with C5 complement inhibitors, focusing on the dynamic changes and recovery of key immune cell subsets, including T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells (DCs).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 27 patients, 70.3% (19/27) achieved transfusion independence. Treatment responses were categorized as follows: complete response (7.4%, 2/27), major response (3.7%, 1/27), good response (25.9%, 7/27), partial response (22.2%, 6/27), minor response (29.6%, 8/27), and non-response (11.1%, 3/27). Before treatment, the proportion of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes was significantly lower in PNH patients than in normal controls [(38.96 ± 8.270)% vs. (48.57 ± 5.760)%, p < 0.001], and it gradually recovered toward normal levels at 12 months [(42.48 ± 5.623)%] and 24 months [(43.71 ± 6.204)%] post-treatment. In contrast, the percentage of CD8⁺ T lymphocytes was markedly elevated in pre-treatment patients compared with controls [(49.38 ± 7.259)% vs. (41.75 ± 4.744)%, p < 0.01], and it returned to near-normal levels at 12 months [(42.97 ± 7.074)%]. The proportion of B lymphocytes was significantly reduced in pre-treatment PNH patients [(6.535 ± 1.854)% vs. (12.70 ± 2.256)% in controls, p < 0.001] and partially recovered at 6, 12, and 24 months post-treatment [(8.266 ± 1.756)%, (8.626 ± 1.649)%, and (8.559 ± 1.697)% respectively], though it did not reach normal levels. No significant changes were observed in Treg cells, NK cells, and DCs after treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This is the first study to systematically analyze immune status alterations following C5 complement inhibitor treatment in PNH patients, suggesting that the complement system may be involved in the development of immune escape mechanisms in PNH.</p>","PeriodicalId":15509,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis","volume":" ","pages":"e70211"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147772754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comment on \"The Prevalence of Abnormal Glucose Metabolism and Its Correlates in the Zhuang Nationality, Nanning, Guangxi Province\".","authors":"Shyam Sundar Sah, Abhishek Kumbhalwar","doi":"10.1002/jcla.70248","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.70248","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15509,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis","volume":" ","pages":"e70248"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147772815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oral Cryptococcosis due to Naganishia diffluens in a Patient With Thalassemia: A Case Report and a Literature Review.","authors":"Zahra Yahyazadeh, Zeynab Haseli, Javad Javidnia, Mahdi Abastabar, Eisa Nazar, Hosein Jalali, Mohamad Taghi Hedayati, Hossein Karami, Mohsen Nosratabadi, Lotfollah Davoodi, Seyyed Reza Aghili, Maryam Moazeni, Iman Haghani, Hamid Badali","doi":"10.1002/jcla.70234","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.70234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Naganishia diffluens (formerly Cryptococcus diffluens) is a non-neoformans cryptococcal species rarely isolated as a human pathogen. We reported a case of oral cryptococcosis caused by N. diffluens for the first time and reviewed relevant literature.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Herein, we present the case of a 31-year-old Iranian male with a history of major β-thalassemia, who presented with non-hemorrhagic white spots on the buccal mucosa, the mouth, lips, and the tongue's surface. Abdominal ultrasound results of the pelvis and abdomen showed that the patient has significant splenomegaly. Two consecutive samples were collected from the white spots on the patient's tongue to confirm the infection, which was confirmed via PCR Sequencing analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In both sampling occasions, Naganishia diffluens was isolated as the causative organism. According to a review conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for data analysis of oral cryptococcosis, just 27 reports were described in the literature. Naganishia diffluens can be the causative agent of some infections.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This is the first report of oral cryptococcosis due to N. diffluens successfully detected by DNA sequencing. However, to understand the precise prevalence of this emerging pathogen, epidemiological surveillance studies are highly recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":15509,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis","volume":" ","pages":"e70234"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147729168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Real-World Utilization Patterns of Toxoplasmosis Diagnostic Testing in Korea: A Large-Scale Laboratory-Based Study.","authors":"Rihwa Choi, Sang Gon Lee","doi":"10.1002/jcla.70231","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.70231","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Toxoplasmosis is primarily diagnosed using serologic assays, while PCR is applied selectively in specific clinical contexts. However, data on real-world utilization patterns of toxoplasmosis diagnostic tests remain limited, particularly in settings where the disease is relatively uncommon.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively analyzed laboratory data for Toxoplasma gondii PCR, IgG, and IgM assays performed for clinical purposes between January 2020 and December 2024 at a large referral laboratory in Korea. Test utilization patterns, test combinations, test results measured after the initial test, and factors associated with test positivity were evaluated using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 28,668 subjects underwent at least one toxoplasmosis-related test. Serologic testing accounted for the majority of initial evaluations, whereas PCR was used infrequently and primarily as a context-dependent adjunct. IgM positivity tended to be associated with subsequent testing after the initial test, while IgG positivity was more commonly observed with increasing age. Tests performed after the initial test were variably performed. PCR positivity suggestive of acute infection was rare and was observed only in cerebrospinal fluid and vitreous fluid specimens. Overall, testing patterns varied across institutions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This large-scale study provides an overview of real-world toxoplasmosis diagnostic test utilization in Korea. Considerable variation was observed in test utilization patterns, including IgM use and testing performed after the initial test. Further studies incorporating clinical information are needed to clarify the clinical context and implications of these patterns.</p>","PeriodicalId":15509,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis","volume":" ","pages":"e70231"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147729246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}