Issue

New research indicates that the E4 variant of apolipoprotein E (APOE4)—already a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease—plays a role in breaking down the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This finding might explain why APOE4 carriers are at increased risk for this disease. Study results published in Nature found a link between…

An approach that combines multiple high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) tests with a modified HEART score shows promise in rapidly ruling out myocardial infarction (MI), sometimes within an hour. Reporting these findings in JAMA Network Open, researchers at University of Texas Southwestern and Parkland Hospital in Dallas suggest that this…

Many unknowns exist about SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (immunoglobulin A/G/M). While not that useful in detecting recent illness, serology tests that measure immune response of COVID-19 can provide information about past infection, paving the way for blood donation and research efforts to fight the virus. As scientists continue to learn about SARS-CoV-2…

Diagnostic testing has been front-and-center since the earliest days of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Labs worldwide have been laser-focused on a slew of issues involving first polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, then antibody tests, and more recently antigen tests—developing, obtaining authorization for, validating and implementing these tests; comparing commercially available assays;…

Individuals with diabetes are at increased risk for COVID-19, the illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As federal officials loosen restrictions on in-hospital use of personal glucose meters by COVID patients, clinical labs and institutions can take critical steps to support patients with diabetes or metabolic disease in the hospital…

To identify the manifestations of sarcoidosis, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) is recommending four key lab tests to screen for renal sarcoidosis, abnormal calcium metabolism, hepatic sarcoidosis, and hematological abnormalities.