In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Dong Chen, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Division of Hematopathology in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic. They discuss rare and inherited platelet disorders and esoteric laboratory testing of hematologic disorders.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• How these rare disorders are diagnosed through laboratory tests.
• Why platelet transmission electron microscopy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing disorders like Hermansky Pudlak syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, Chediak Higashi syndrome, and Jacobson/Paris-Trousseau syndrome.
• The process involved with developing and validating the PTEM test (Mayo ID: PTEM) at Mayo Clinic.
• The importance of ongoing research and advocacy to enhance care for patients with rare platelet disorders.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss the latest news in pathogen activity and how these viruses serve as an important reminder of the role of the public-private lab partnership.

Their discussion includes:

• How the United States addresses emerging pathogens and the importance of a partnership between public health laboratories and private or clinical laboratories.
• Why access to testing is vital to prevent pathogen outbreaks and pandemics.
• The need for an effective legal framework around pandemic and hazard preparedness.
• Current diagnostic efforts around mpox, bird flu, and COVID-19, and opportunities to expand at-home testing.

Matthew Schultz, Ph.D., and Amy White, M.S., CGC, explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique urine assay (Mayo ID: SORD) screens for peripheral neuropathy arising from SORD gene variants. Although recently identified, SORD-related peripheral neuropathy is fairly common.

(00:31)
Would you share a little bit about yourself and your background?

(01:11)
Could you provide us with an overview of this particular peripheral neuropathy?

(03:09)
Can you share the background as to how your team learned about this condition and how you considered testing for it?

(04:42)

Would you explain what you saw when you performed the urine test on the first patient?

(05:26)
Were you able to test additional patients with this condition?

(06:09)

Could you expand on why this urine test is important?

(07:20)
How does a health care provider order urine testing for SORD deficiency?

(07:59)
How does this new SORD urine test complement the existing Mayo Clinic Laboratories test menu?

(08:55)

Could you summarize the benefits of ordering this SORD urine test at Mayo?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by special guest Donald Thomas, M.D., a rheumatologist and lupus researcher. They discuss how Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ suite of innovative lupus testing, offered in collaboration with Progentec Diagnostics, is enhancing the care and quality of life for patients affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Their discussion includes:

• Symptoms of lupus and characteristics of the complex disease process.
• The role of laboratory testing in diagnosing and managing long-term treatment for patients with lupus.
• Dr. Thomas’ clinical experience using the Progentec aiSLE® DX Lupus Flare Risk Index and Lupus Disease Activity Index for his patients, and how these tests have enhanced collaborative treatment planning.
• Why these novel tests are a major step forward in expanding diagnostic tools and improving care for patients living with SLE.

John Mills, Ph.D., and Divyanshu Dubey, M.B.B.S., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new test panel can distinguish among various potential causes of demyelinating neuropathies. Test results are important for managing these devastating autoimmune conditions.

Show notes

Speaker 3: (00:32)
Would you provide a little background on yourself, Dr. Mills?

Speaker 3: (01:19)
Dr. Dubey?

Speaker 3: (02:07)
Can you give a brief overview of our demyelinating test and recommended use?

Speaker 3: (03:52)
Can you discuss how this new test will assist in a patient's journey?

Speaker 3: (05:46)
Can you tell us some of the unique features of this test?

Speaker 3: (08:09)
Dr. Dubey, as a neurologist, how does this test set us apart in the market?

Speaker 3: (11:05)
Could you summarize the benefits of having both a demyelinating panel and an axonal panel?

Speaker 3: (11:40)
Why should a patient have an axonal or demyelinating test versus a sensory and motor test for peripheral neuropathy?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by special guests Bernard Rubin, D.O., MPH, chief medical officer of Progentec Diagnostics, and Melissa Munroe, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer and principal investigator of Progentec Diagnostics. They discuss Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ suite of innovative lupus testing, offered in collaboration with Progentec Diagnostics, for patients affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Their discussion includes:

• The Progentec aiSLE® DX Lupus Flare Risk Index that uses an algorithm to calculate a flare risk index, which assigns a score based on a patient's risk of a forthcoming lupus flare.
• The Progentec aiSLE® DX Lupus Disease Activity Index that characterizes a patient’s current disease activity into low, moderate, or active states.
• How these two tests were developed and for whom they are recommended.
• Why these tests are a significant development and how they enhance the quality of life for patients living with SLE.

Ann Moyer, M.D., Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique genetic tests identify patients at high risk of severe reactions to fluoropyrimidines — a type of chemotherapy drug. Test results can guide clinical decision-making for safer cancer treatment.

Speaker 3: (00:32)
Would you tell us a little bit about yourself and your history with this testing?

Speaker 3: (01:25)
Would you tell us a little more about this assay?

Speaker 3: (04:57)
Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed?

Speaker 3: (05:30)
What alternative tests exist and how do they compare?

Speaker 3: (06:28)
How are the results used in patient care?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss the latest advancements in Alzheimer’s disease testing and treatment.

Their discussion includes:

• Why there is an increased focus on Alzheimer’s disease in the diagnostics industry.
• The development of groundbreaking blood tests that can detect Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers.
• The importance of accurate testing to avoid false positives.
• The role of laboratory scientists in guiding appropriate test usage.
• The promising new treatment options and the need for informed decision-making in a patient’s healthcare journey.