Annals of Clinical Biochemistry最新文献

{"title":"Environmental sustainability of clinical laboratories: A scoping review.","authors":"R J Shorten, A Sanders, M Farley, S Josse, S Shafiq, C Harris, A Clegg, J Hill","doi":"10.1177/00045632251391759","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00045632251391759","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionThe climate crisis presents a complex and growing challenge for healthcare systems around the world. Healthcare systems can contribute to substantial global emissions, with the UK's National Health Service (NHS) alone responsible for 4%-5% of the country's total carbon footprint. A wide range of clinical disciplines have already begun to assess and design interventions to tackle this issue. However, clinical and diagnostic laboratories remain underexplored.AimsWhat studies have been undertaken to assess and improve the environmental impact of clinical laboratories?MethodsThis scoping review undertook a multi-database search from date of inception to 5th February 2024. All primary studies that assessed the environmental outcomes of clinical laboratories were included. Studies were screened and data extracted by one reviewer with a 10% verification process at each stage. Studies were assessed based upon year of publication, geographical region, interconnectivity and area and type of clinical laboratory or test.FindingsThere has been some longstanding interest in understanding the environmental impact of clinical laboratories, and this field of investigation has gained popularity within the scholarly community in the last decade. Despite this recent increase in popularity there is a relatively limited number of intervention studies aimed at improving sustainability within clinical laboratories. Most research in this area originates from the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, although the topic appears to be of global scholarly interest. There is limited interconnectivity of studies included in this review. Studies in this field have primarily been conducted at the clinical laboratory level, with a focus on quantifying waste in kilograms, measuring carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions, and categorizing laboratory waste by type. To a lesser degree these outcomes have been assessed for specific clinical tests. Across both clinical laboratory and specific test assessments there is notable heterogeneity in both methods used, and areas explored.DiscussionWhile this scoping review highlights a growing interest and awareness in this important field, the diversity of reported outcomes and the limited interconnectivity of studies indicate that it remains a developing area. The lack of consensus in methodologies and outcome measures suggests that establishing a baseline analysis remains a distant goal. Ideally, future efforts should prioritize improving the assessment of individual laboratory tests, fostering greater standardization, and enhancing repeatability to strengthen the reliability of environmental impact evaluations.</p>","PeriodicalId":8005,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Clinical Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"208-227"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145421092","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":"The importance of identifying pseudohypertriglyceridaemia.","authors":"Christopher Stockdale, Ann Bowron, Christopher Boot, Ahai Luvai","doi":"10.1177/00045632251395540","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00045632251395540","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8005,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Clinical Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"281-282"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145457544","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":"Diagnostic accuracy and rapid testing of a novel acute heart failure biomarker: A laboratory evaluation and comparison with natriuretic peptides.","authors":"Kevin Rouet, Philippe Rouet, François Koukoui, Michel Galinier","doi":"10.1177/00045632251378035","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00045632251378035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundDiagnosing acute heart failure in patients presenting with acute dyspnea remains challenging. Current methods, including natriuretic peptide measurement and echocardiography, are time-consuming and not always immediately accessible. A novel biomarker, FILDARIA, may complement natriuretic peptides and enable faster diagnosis.MethodsIn this study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01024049), samples were collected from 235 patients diagnosed via echocardiography: 89 with non-cardiac dyspnea (NCD), 55 with chronic heart failure (CHF), and 91 with acute heart failure (AHF). Levels of BNP and FILDARIA in each patient were measured using both ELISA and lateral flow assay tests.ResultsBNP levels were significantly elevated in AHF and CHF patients compared to NCD patients (905 vs 58 pg/mL, <i>p</i> < .0001; and 447 vs 58 pg/mL, <i>p</i> < .0001, respectively). Similarly, FILDARIA levels were markedly higher in AHF and CHF patients than in NCD patients (1493 vs 223 ng/mL, <i>p</i> < .0001; and 800 vs 223 ng/mL, <i>p</i> < .0001, respectively). The FILDARIA heart failure diagnostic rapid test device accurately identified all 91 AHF patients and correctly excluded 88 of 89 NCD patients, yielding one false positive. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 99.4% (95% CI: 96.9%-99.9%).ConclusionFILDARIA biomarker demonstrates strong potential as a rapid <u>diagnostic</u> tool for AHF in patients with acute dyspnea. Its high accuracy and compatibility with whole blood could make it an excellent solution for point-of-care testing. Further multicentre research could facilitate wider clinical use and clarify its utility in areas such as <u>prognosis</u> (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01024049).</p>","PeriodicalId":8005,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Clinical Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"228-239"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144939612","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":"Pseudohyperphosphatemia in multiple myeloma: Removal of interfering paraproteins.","authors":"Michelle De Bruyn, Matthias Cuykx","doi":"10.1177/00045632251383402","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00045632251383402","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundMultiple myeloma patients may present with spuriously elevated serum phosphate levels resulting from the presence of paraproteins interfering in the phosphomolybdate UV assay. If this phenomenon is not recognized, patients possibly receive unnecessary treatments. This short report highlights the existence of paraprotein-related pseudohyperphosphatemia, and aims to provide accessible solutions to eliminate this interference.Material and MethodsIn a patient known with IgG multiple myeloma and unexplained hyperphosphatemia, the correlation between serum phosphate levels (phosphomolybdate UV assay) and IgG concentrations (immunoturbidimetry) was evaluated. To investigate the effect of the paraprotein on phosphate levels, phosphate was measured in one serum sample before and after protein removal by either dilution, protein precipitation with sulfosalicylic acid or zinc sulphate, or ultrafiltration.ResultsA patient with multiple myeloma presented with an unexplained hyperphosphatemia which correlated positively with serum IgG concentrations. As serum dilution normalized the phosphate level, it was hypothesized that precipitation of the paraprotein during the assay reaction interfered with the measurement and resulted in pseudohyperphosphatemia. Protein removal by precipitation with sulfosalicylic acid or zinc sulphate efficiently reduced the IgG level below the detection limit but did not result in a reliable phosphate measurement. Successful removal of proteins and a serum phosphate level that matched the patient's other biochemistry parameters and clinical condition were obtained by ultrafiltration.ConclusionParaproteins can interfere with the reaction components in the phosphomolybdate UV assay and result in pseudohyperphosphatemia. If the presence of this phenomenon is established, a reliable phosphate concentration can be obtained after ultrafiltration of the sample.</p>","PeriodicalId":8005,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Clinical Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"273-276"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145068969","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":"Predicting the outcome of short Synacthen test based on baseline cortisol levels: A single-centered retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka.","authors":"T Premadasa, Epa Samarathunga, E M Sujith, Nmf Shameela, Bmks Basnayaka, C N Antonypillai, Rdp Jayawardana","doi":"10.1177/00045632251383417","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00045632251383417","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionShort Synacthen Test (SST), a standard diagnostic test to confirm Adrenal insufficiency (AI), involves substantial expenses.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the predictive value of baseline Cortisol levels for SST outcomes and establish baseline cut-off levels for confirming AI to minimize the necessity of SST.MethodsAll SST data from 2019 to 2024 at National Hospital Kandy, Sri Lanka, were obtained retrospectively. A peak Cortisol ≥500 nmol/L at 30 or 60-min post-SST was considered as a normal adrenal reserve, whereas failure indicated AI. Pearson's correlation and Logistic Regression analysis assessed baseline and post-SST Cortisol at 30 and 60-min. A 2 × 2 table assesses test agreement. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis evaluated the SST outcomes at 30 and 60-min separately assessing sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC).ResultsA total of 307 patients were enrolled, and 63.19% exhibited a failed SST response. Baseline Cortisol positively correlated with post-SST Cortisol at 30-min (r = 0.74, <i>P</i> < .05) and 60-min (r = 0.68, <i>P</i> < .05) with a good AUC for both 30 min (AUC = 0.855) and 60 min (AUC = 0.829). Baseline Cortisol demonstrated the higher odds ratio per unit (OR = 1.015 per nmol/L), indicating greater sensitivity to small changes. ROC curves were utilized to derive cut-offs for baseline Cortisol levels predicting SST outcomes. At 30-min, baseline Cortisol <135 nmol/L suggests AI (100% sensitivity, 44% specificity), and >381.5 nmol/L indicates normal adrenal reserve (100% specificity, 21.8% sensitivity). Similarly at 60-min, baseline Cortisol <75.3 nmol/L suggests AI (100% sensitivity, 19.7% specificity), and >357 nmol/L indicates normal adrenal reserve (100% specificity, 16.8% sensitivity).ConclusionsApplying these cut-offs could avoid 41.69% (30 min) or 19% (60 min) of total SSTs, excluding AI and normal adrenal reserve. 30-min SST Cortisol correlates more strongly with baseline Cortisol, showing a higher r-value, higher OR and AUC. Hence, 30-min provides better cut-offs with higher sensitivity and specificity minimizing need for SST. Patients with baseline Cortisol between 135 and 381 nmol/L can undergo SST with only a 30-min Cortisol measurement.</p>","PeriodicalId":8005,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Clinical Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"258-263"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145068947","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":"Indapamide interference in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry aldosterone assay.","authors":"Amy R Frank, Susan Johnston","doi":"10.1177/00045632251388531","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00045632251388531","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aldosterone renin ratio (ARR) is used as a screening test for primary aldosteronism (PA), and this requires measurement of both aldosterone and renin. Aldosterone is usually measured using immunoassay or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques. Antihypertensive medications should be discontinued prior to screening as they can interfere with interpretation of results. Indapamide is a thiazide-like diuretic commonly used in the treatment of hypertension. NICE guidance (NG136 2019) recommends the use of indapamide over more conventional thiazide diuretics. Indapamide has been noted to cause interference in a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method by interfering in the measurement of aldosterone-d4 internal standard. This leads to falsely increased concentrations of aldosterone which can lead to unnecessary further investigations.</p>","PeriodicalId":8005,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Clinical Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"277-280"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211424","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":"Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) activity cutoffs in the Thai population.","authors":"Pimonpan Jinda, Pimpun Kitpoka, Wimol Thienphopirak, Suwat Chiawchan, Santirhat Prommas, Rattanaporn Sukprasong, Jiratha Rachanakul, Supaporn Wiwattanakul, Orapa Suteerojntrakool, Chansuda Bongsebandhu-Phubhakdi, Therdpong Tempark, Sittiphong Hunthai, Apichaya Puangpetch","doi":"10.1177/00045632251381058","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00045632251381058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundThiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is crucial for metabolizing thiopurine drugs. This study aimed to establish the cutoff values for TPMT activity in a cohort of healthy individuals. We defined normal TPMT activity ranges and identified clinically applicable thresholds to distinguish individuals with normal TPMT function from those with reduced or deficient activity.MethodsA total of 457 participants, including 207 children and 250 healthy adults without prior thiopurine drug exposure, were enrolled. TPMT activity was measured and common defective genetic variants (<i>TPMT*3A, TPMT*3B,</i> and <i>TPMT*3C</i>) were detected. To determine TPMT activity cutoff values and maximize sensitivity and specificity, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was employed.ResultsThe cutoff values for TPMT activity in children were ≥52.9 nmol 6-MMP/g Hb/h for persons of the wild type and <52.9 nmol 6-MMP/g Hb/h for individuals who were heterozygous. In adults, the cutoff values were ≥44.6, 31.58-44.5, and <31.58 nmol 6-MMP/g Hb/h for wild-type, heterozygous, and compound heterozygous individuals, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were 79.29% and 100% in children, whereas, in adults, they were 61.86% and 78.57%, 38.46% and 64.73%, and 100% and 95.98% in the wild-type, heterozygous, and compound heterozygous, respectively.ConclusionsIdentifying TPMT activity cutoff values is crucial for managing patients receiving thiopurine therapy, especially in Thailand. This approach allows for personalized treatment plans and minimizes the risk of adverse drug reactions. Since TPMT activity cutoff values can differ by population and testing methods, it is important to establish specific cutoff values locally.</p>","PeriodicalId":8005,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Clinical Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"240-249"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145013646","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":"Preanalytical stability of zinc in whole blood serum and plasma tubes as measured by ICP-OES and colourimetry.","authors":"Kristian Voss Bjerre, Helle Glud Binderup, Mads Nybo, Louise Helskov Jørgensen","doi":"10.1177/00045632251383404","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00045632251383404","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundZinc deficiency is a global concern, particularly in low-income countries, but also among vulnerable groups in Western countries, such as children. Diagnosing mild or moderate zinc deficiency is however challenging because of nonspecific symptoms and due to circulating zinc showing only subtle changes, requiring high accuracy in measurement. Challenges to accurate measurement include variations from choice of analytical instrument, analysis performance, and preanalytical factors such as choice of sample matrices and delayed blood sample processing. This study aimed to examine the stability of zinc in plasma and serum, measured by the recommended inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) method and a direct colourimetric assay on the fully automated Roche Cobas c702 analyzer.MethodsA total of 245 whole blood samples were stored at room temperature for 0-8 h after blood sampling, then centrifuged for 10 min at 2000 g (serum) or 5 min at 2650 g (plasma), frozen at -20°C, and analysed, respectively, on ICP-OES and Cobas, the latter with the colourimetric kit from Sentinel diagnostics.ResultsSerum zinc concentrations measured on Cobas and ICP-OES showed no statistically significant change up to 6 h and never exceeded acceptable limits. Plasma zinc concentrations increased steadily over time, exceeding acceptable limits after 6 h. There were statistically significant differences between zinc measurements on ICP-OES and Cobas in both serum and plasma.ConclusionsZinc is stable for at least 8 h in serum and up to 6 h in plasma when measured by either Sentinel diagnostic colourimetric method on Cobas or ICP-OES.</p>","PeriodicalId":8005,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Clinical Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"250-257"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145068924","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":"In-vitro verification of tolerance limits for biotin interference of routine biochemistry and immunology assays.","authors":"Kirsty Swallow, Graeme Wild, Ravishankar Sargur","doi":"10.1177/00045632261440506","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00045632261440506","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundBiotin is commonly used in many commercial assays. It is known that exogenous biotin can interfere with these tests, however, not all manufacturers have issued warnings or reassurances. Interference can lead to increased or decreased concentrations of an analyte depending on the assay format. We assessed the effect of biotin interference on all relevant assays performed in our laboratory. We investigated a variety of concentrations ranging from the recommended daily intake up to very high dose supplementation to determine the level at which a particular assay may be affected.MethodsSamples were spiked to give estimated serum concentrations equivalent to doses of 0.05-3600 mg/day exogenous biotin. Each spiked sample was tested and the result compared to a baseline. Biotin interference was deemed to have taken place if the spiked value exceeded the allowable uncertainty of measurement.ResultsNot all assays utilising biotin were affected. We confirmed interference claims made by Manufacturers. However, a few of these assays showed that biotin levels below those stated in safety notices could cause some degree of interference. Three assays for which there had not been a warning were shown to be affected.ConclusionsIn house checks should be performed on all assays containing biotin as a reagent. This allows the laboratory to understand performance characteristics and dosage effects for causing potential interference. Our data provides a guide for the level of biotin which may cause false positive or false negative results.</p>","PeriodicalId":8005,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Clinical Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"45632261440506"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147508875","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":"Thank you to reviewers.","authors":"","doi":"10.1177/00045632261431214","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00045632261431214","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8005,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Clinical Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"45632261431214"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147508926","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}