Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by PCR
On December 23, 2008, the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory will begin offering rapid PCR testing for colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Nasal swab specimens must be collected using the Copan dual swab collection device (HS#26200). Specimens submitted 0700-2100 will be reported within 2 hours. PCR will not be performed on specimens collected from any site other than nares (culture will be set up instead). This test may be ordered electronically or as a write in request "MRSA PCR" on the Microbiology lab requisition. .
Refer to: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by PCR entry in the Laboratory Services Handbook
Automated Fecal Occult Blood Test
Beginning July 7th, 2008, the Hematology Laboratory will be offering a new screening test for colorectal cancer. The FOBT (fecal occult blood test) is an automated immunoassay provides several advantages over the guaiac method including: ease of collection, reduction in the number of samples, no dietary restrictions, specificity for human hemoglobin and detection of hemoglobin primarily from the colon and rectum. The automated fecal occult blood test detects the presence of human hemoglobin by immunoassay using a photometric reading of the presence of an antibody-antigen complex.
Refer to: Automated Fecal Occult Blood Test entry in the Laboratory Services Handbook
FLT3 & NPM1 Mutation Detection Assay
As of July 1, 2008 the UIHC Molecular Pathology Laboratory will offer the FLT3 and NPM1 Mutation Detection Assay for three mutations common in acute myeloid leukemia (AML): FLT3 internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD), FLT3 point mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain altering Asp835 (FLT3-D835), and 4bp insertions/duplications in exon 12 in the nucleophosmin gene (NPM1). The presence or absence of one or more of these mutations confers important prognostic information for newly diagnosed AML. This test is a qualitative, allele-specific multiplex PCR assay followed by PCR fragment analysis; both wild-type (unaffected) and mutant alleles are detected in genomic DNA samples prepared from whole blood, purified leukocytes, or bone marrow.
Refer to: FLT3 & NPM1 Mutation Detection entry in the Laboratory Services Handbook
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Sequencing, Exons 18-21
As of March1, 2008, the UIHC Molecular Pathology Laboratory will add a new gene sequencing test to diagnose somatic EGFR mutation in exons 18-21. These mutations have been shown to be associated with better tumor response, time to progression and overall survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who are treated with Gefitinib (Iressa).
Refer to: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Sequencing, Exons 18-21 entry in the Laboratory Services Handbook