Clinical Diagnostics Webinars

• Where Do We Stand with Chronic and Invasive Aspergillosis?
  In this Infectious Disease Webinar, Prof. Arunaloke Chakrabarti, MD, will review epidemiological data with a focus on the latest trends regarding invasive and chronic aspergillosis. Prof. Jean-Pierre Gangneux, PhD, will then discuss suitable diagnostic strategies to ensure optimal patient care.
• HIV Diagnostic Testing in the COVID-19 Era… Are Clinical Laboratories Being Overly SENSITIVE?
  This webinar will explore the current state of HIV diagnostic testing and discuss several studies detailing SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine cross-reactivity, along with the longitudinal specificity of the BioPlex 2200 HIV Ag-Ab Panel.

• What Can SARS-CoV-2 Serology Testing Tell Us About Immune Status?
  Two years into the global COVID-19 pandemic, the role of serology testing to evaluate immune responses has not yet been defined. This webinar will explore the role of serology testing to assess immune status. This includes understanding how SARS-CoV-2 serology testing results correlate with individual immune responses to COVID-19 infections or vaccinations, and the value of SARS-CoV-2 serology testing and potential role of quantitative assays in determining protection against COVID-19. This webinar will also review serological responses from SARS-CoV-2 variants with a new quantitative assay that can differentiate multiple neutralizing and binding antibodies within a single test.
• Making the Choice – Serology Assays in COVID-19 Diagnostics and Surveillance
  It has been suggested that combining serological diagnostic testing with molecular testing may be useful in confirming COVID-19 infection or exposure to the virus. This webinar will look at the role of serology tests in the pandemic response, the clinical value of a Total Ab assay, and the actual performance and clinical utility of Platelia SARS CoV-2 Total Ab Assay for the COVID-19 pandemic response. Presented by Jean-François Mouscadet.

• How Can Galactomannan Detection Improve CAPA Diagnosis?
  In this on-demand webinar, Pr Denning presents interesting data related to a retrospective multicenter review performed in France in 2020. For patients admitted to the ICU with positive SARS-CoV-2 qPCR, most included in this study were mechanically ventilated during their hospital stay. For patients whose clinical picture worsened, some may have had a blood and/or bronchoalveolar lavage sample taken for galactomannan detection, BDG, or PCR testing. In the case of a positive result, the patient was considered as having a probable underlying Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA). For patients classified within the “IPA” group, the mortality was significantly higher than patients classified within the “no IPA” group (71% mortality vs 37%).²
• COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA): Definition, Diagnosis, and Treatment
  In this on-demand webinar, Dr. Philipp Köhler presents the different diagnostic procedures that can be routinely used to diagnose CAPA. Dr. Köhler presents about the CAPA incidence during 2020 in many countries and notes that the incidence is higher with mechanical ventilation.³ He references the 2020 ECMM/ISHAM consensus criteria for research and clinical guidance.⁴
• COVID-19 Expertise
  More recently, Bio-Rad has provided a wide range of products for use in the support of COVID-19 diagnostic screening, confirmation of test results, surveillance, and therapy/vaccine research and development. From virus detection using real-time PCR, Droplet Digital PCR or Ag Rapid Test Assay, to immunology assays, our wide range of solutions provide best-in-class sensitivity and accuracy. Learn more.
• Bio-Rad Mycology & COVID-19 Solution
  In order to fight against COVID-19 and to offer better management of patients, Bio-Rad, since the beginning of 2020, has continued to expand its offer with a complete range of reagents, instruments, and quality controls. Bio-Rad’s first assay was the Platelia SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab test, introduced in April 2020. To learn more about the Bio-Rad microplate solution related to invasive fungal infections and SARS-CoV-2, please view the following video.

References

1. Borman AM et al. (2020). COVID-19-Associated Invasive Aspergillosis: Data from the UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory. J Clin Microbiol. 59(1):e02136-20. doi:10.1128/JCM.02136-20.
2. Dellière S et al. (2020). Risk factors associated with COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis in ICU patients: a French multicentric retrospective cohort [published online ahead of print, 2020 Dec 13]. Clin Microbiol Infect. 27(5):790.e1-790.e5. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2020.12.005.
3. Salmanton-García J et al. (2021). COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis, March-August 2020. Emerg Infect Dis. 27(4):1077-1086. doi:10.3201/eid2704.204895.
4. Koehler P et al. (2021). Defining and managing COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis: the 2020 ECMM/ISHAM consensus criteria for research and clinical guidance. Lancet Infect Dis. 21(6):e149-e162. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30847-1.

• Navigating the Complexities of Antibody Identification
  Janis R. Hamilton, MS, MLS(ASCP)SBB uses case studies to demonstrate a systematic approach to complex antibody problems that can increase the chances of their resolution. She also reviews the use and interpretation of multiple investigative tools, both serologic and non-serologic.​
• Addressing Immunohematology Challenges Together
  An expert panel discusses the value of scientific partnerships in immunohematology. Topics include (1) how to resolve interferences caused by monoclonal antibody therapy, (2) enhancing lab efficiency through automation of antibody titration, and (3) how immune hemolytic anemia can be predicted by DAT investigation.​
• The Shape of ABO
  Dr. Jorge Monge Ruiz describes various discrepant ABO results and offers strategies to handle them. He then explores the characteristics of ABO compatibility in the context of blood transfusion and pregnancy as well as in hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplantation scenarios.
• Clinical, Serological, and Molecular Aspects of CD36 - Our Newest Blood Group System
  Prof. Martin L. Olsson reviews clinical, serological, and molecular aspects of CD36 and describes how it was recently acknowledged by ISBT as the 45th blood group system. He provides solutions to address problems due to anti-CD36 in screening tests for blood group antibodies.
• Antibodies of Undetermined Specificity: A Matter of Concern?
  Sandra J. Nance discusses the available publications regarding these unresolved cases along with potential causes and actions/recommendations to ensure the best patient care. She explains the importance of communicating to clinicians that, in some cases, specific antibodies may be identified in subsequent samples.
• The Path to Resolution: A Stepwise Approach to Pan-Reactive Samples
  Jill R. Storry, PhD, tells us how complex case samples can be approached in a stepwise manner in order to figure out the cause of the pan reactivity and ensure best patient care. She underlines the importance of getting good information prior to starting the investigation as well as using the right techniques and tools.
• Phenotype/Genotype Discrepancies, Their Cause, Importance, and Safe Resolution
  Shane Grimsley (DipRCPath), explores some common phenotype/genotype discrepancies, discussing in detail their cause and how to safely investigate them. This information provides clues for resolving these issues and ensuring timely and accurate patient care.
• Providing Rare Red Cells: An Overview of the Canadian Blood Services’ Rare Blood Program
  In this Transfusion Science Webinar, Dr. Matthew Yan will share his experience leading the Canadian Blood Services' Rare Blood Program. Hear how he manages rare red cell cases and navigates multidisciplinary collaboration to meet patients' transfusion needs.
• Sickle Cell Disease and Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions (HTR)
  Karina Yazdanbakhsh, PhD, discusses our current understanding of hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTR) in patients with sickle cell disease, with a focus on potential pathophysiologic mechanisms, recommended approaches to managing HTR, and strategies to prevent the development of HTR.
• Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN)
  Carla Dinardo, MD, PhD, explains why the Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN) remains a challenge despite the many advances made to either prevent, or diagnose and treat HDFN and its complications.
• "D" Solution: When Serology Meets Genotyping
  Sofia Lejon Crottet, PhD, head of the Swiss National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory, tells us how the reference laboratory clarifies serologically weak or discrepant D (RH1) results by phenotyping and genotyping.
• Laboratory IT and Service Consolidation: Shared Resources, Better Care
  Benjamin Holmes, Blood Transfusion Laboratory Manager for Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, UK, explains to us how a networked solution and the associated Bio-Rad software has afforded further benefits to their organization.
• Why in D World Are There “D”screpancies in RhD Typing?
  Sue Johnson, Director of Clinical Education at Versiti and Director of the Transfusion Medicine Program at Marquette University, shares the challenges faced by laboratory scientists in typing for RhD and discuss strategies for detecting and identifying weak and partial D variants.
• Complex Antibody Identification
  Shane Grimsley, Manager of the Red Cell Reference Laboratory at the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL), based in Bristol, UK, shows us how complex cases can be resolved and in particular, discusses the many tools that are available for the resolution of complex antibody investigations.
• New Blood Groups and Antigens Recognized by the ISBT from 2019 to 2021
  Dr. Christoph Gassner, professor of Medical Biology at the Institute for Translational Medicine of the Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein, will walk us through the process of recognizing new blood group systems and antigens. Using the most recent blood group systems identified by the ISBT from 2019 to 2021, he shows how complex it is for a blood group to be fully recognized.
• Five Years with anti-CD38 – Experience from a Reference Laboratory
  Sofia Lejon Crottet, PhD, head of the Swiss National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory, tells us how a reference laboratory deals with anti-CD38 in a pretransfusion setting. She guides us through the methods available to overcome the anti-CD38 interferences in the Indirect Antiglobulin Test (IAT), their pros and cons, as well as their financial impacts. In this review, Sofia presents some case studies which shows how pretransfusion testing can be efficiently carried out despite interferences from anti-CD38.
• Issues in ABO Antibody Titration
  In this second episode of our automated antibody titration series, Dr. Meenu Bajpai, MD, Professor of Transfusion Medicine at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in New Delhi, explains the main challenges in ABO Antibody Titration. She walks us through the characteristics of ABO antibodies, the methods in use for the determination of ABO antibody titer, and the clinical applications for the results. She also touches upon the automation of ABO titration for the gel method on the IH-500 system with all its benefits.
• Automated anti-D Quantification in Immunization and Prophylaxis Contexts
  In this first episode of our automated antibody titration series, Dr. Cécile TOLY-NDOUR, PharmD, PhD, medical biologist at the French National Reference Center in Perinatal Hemobiology (CNRHP) explains how automated anti-D microtitration on the IH-500 system can easily distinguish a passive from an immune anti-D when the Indirect Antiglobulin Test is found positive after an anti-D prophylaxis. She also shares with us the benefits of the automated gel anti-D titration method on the IH-500 system, its correlation to the reference tube method, and the added value of the gel titer score to monitor pregnancies complicated by an anti-D alloimmunization.
• Resolution of Complex Immunohematology Antibody Problems
  Sandra Nance, MS, MT(MASCP)SBB, shares with us how a National Reference Laboratory deals with complex immunohematology cases that can be magically solved with the use of various techniques. Through a case review approach, she will share how investigations are carried out using a stepwise analysis of each testing result.
• Hemolytic Anemia and Why Patient History Matters
  In an ideal scenario of an immune hemolytic anemia investigation, laboratory results would allow the identification of a causative agent, leading to proper patient treatment. However sometimes, laboratory findings do not bring the expected results, hence the importance of patient history. In this webinar, case studies will be presented where the test results are inconsistent with the patient clinical condition, leading to further investigations.

• The HbA1c Diagnostic Test and Its Role in My Endocrinology Practice
  Managing patients living with diabetes using the HbA1c diagnostic test: Insights to guide healthcare providers and laboratories personnel. Presented by Dr. David G. Robertson.
• World Diabetes Day #Testing2Prevent Webinar
  With the advent of HbA1c as a diagnostic test for diabetes, it is vitally important to be aware of potential confounding factors for the assay, in particular, haemoglobin variants for which some examples will be reviewed. Presented by Dr. Chris M. Florkowski.
• The Strengths and Weaknesses of HbA1c in the Diagnosis of Diabetes
  This webinar covers the strengths, weaknesses and practical details of HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes. This includes how HbA1c is useful in diagnosing and monitoring diabetes and how hemoglobin variants in the patient sample and other patient characteristics might impact the HbA1c result that is obtained. Presented by Dave Koch, PhD, DABCC.

• Evaluation of Hemoglobinopathies by HPLC
  In this webinar, we will discuss the evalaution of hemoglobinopathies by HPLC testing and will focus on hemoglobins, phenotypes, and hemoglobin disorders through the review of chromatograms. Presented by Marco Flamini, Senior Global Product Manager, Bio-Rad Laboratories.
• Thalassemia and Sickle Cell: Past, Present and Future
  Although thalassemia and sickle cell are among the most common monogenic hemoglobin disorders in the world, disease awareness is still far from acceptable. Presented by Dr. Michael Angastinioti and Dr. Daniel E. Bauer.
• Newborn Screening for Hemoglobinopathies and Thalassemia: Current Practices
  In commemoration of World Sickle Cell Day on June 19th, Bio-Rad is pleased to invite you to register for a webinar about the current practices in newborn screening for Hemoglobinopathies and Thalassemia. Presented by M. Christine Dorley, MSP, BS MT (ASCP).

• Facing the Challenges of Anti-dsDNA Antibody Testing
  In this Autoimmune Webinar, Dr. Melissa R. Snyder from the Mayo Clinic will review various anti-dsDNA antibody testing methods and the challenges associated with standardization. She will provide insights on how to manage discrepant results and other questions associated with anti-dsDNA testing methods.

• How "Load and Go" QC Optimised the Quality Control Process
  Dr. Silvia Gelsumini and Dr. Lorenzo Cerutti from Bergamo hospital, Italy, discuss how they've transformed the way their diagnostic laboratory manages QC using Bio-Rad tools. You will learn exactly what they did to boost efficiency, simplify the process, and improve patient outcomes as a result.

• The Future of Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostic Labs: An Expert Discussion
  We know that maintaining the highest quality standards in diagnostics is vital, from the most basic blood test to crucial transplant testing. But it can be challenging and time-consuming – especially in molecular diagnostics labs, where quality control techniques can lag behind clinical chemistry labs. Join Dr. Jérémie Gras to learn how advanced quality control in molecular diagnostics has the power to change the direction of a life.

• QC strategy for Serum/Plasma Indices (HIL) detection around the EFLM recommendations
  Join Dr. von Mayer to learn about the recommendations from the EFLM (European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine) working group on pre-analytical evaluation. In this webinar, we will discuss: why pre-analytical focus is important to ensure quality results in your laboratory; how to create a robust quality assurance strategy for pre‑analytical work in your laboratory; and what to do if your QC fails once your process is set up.