Catlab Reports Bulletin

HEMATOLOGY – Orientation in the study of Microcytosis
According to the WHO, concentrations of Hb < 12 mg/dL in women and < 13 mg/dL in men, is considered anemia, and Microcytosis if the VCM is lower than 80 fL. What do these figures mean in the day-to-day life of the Laboratory?

MICROBIOLOGY – Diagnosis of toxigenic Clostridium difficile 
Toxigenic Clostridium difficile is the principal etiologic agent in hospital acquired diarrhea. Its occurence has grown significantly in the last few years, and more virulent strains, such as ribotype 027, have been described as causing hospital acquired outbreaks in the USA and Europe. Thus, the diagnosis must be rapid and reliable.

URGENT CARE–Ultrasensitive Troponine T 
The TnT of the cardiac musculature is clearly different from the TnT of the skeletal musculature, and its high tissue specificity makes it a very sensitive cardiospecific marker for myocardial damage.

CYTOMETRY – Determination of ZAP-70
Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia (LLC) is the most frequent leukemia in the western adult population. The median survival rate is 10 yearsand the young have a higher risk of mortality due to the disease. For this reason, the evaluation of predictive factors and treatments that permit good quality, long-term remissions is highly important.

QUALITY – Scientific activities of the professionals of Catlab 2011
Review of Publications, Posters, Papers of the professionals of Catlab completed and anticipated for 2011.

MANAGEMENT – Measures to rationalize analytic demand

The Management of Catlab, in the context of the current economic crisis, has asked the persons in charge of the different areas to bring to bear improved actions to rationalize demand

QUALITY–From Certification to Accreditation

Since its creation, Catlab has committed to implementing a quality management system based on international standards,and so the Laboratory was certified according to Standard UNE-EN ISO 9001:2008. Accreditation, however, is a standard that better reflects the particulars of the sector, and that recognizes technical competence.

HORMONES – Review and followup of the initial study of the Thyroid Function in the protocols of Primary Care. The initial protocol was: TSH* (T4L*, T3* and thyroid antibody levels). Until now, if TSH was below 0.29 μU/mL or above 6 μU/mL, T4L was generated. If T4L was normal (8.8 pmol/L -20.1 pmol/L) and TSH was above 6 μU/mL ,T3 and thyroid antibody levels were generated

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY –Phenotype and Genotype of HLA-B27 The presence of the antigen HLA-B27 has been closely associated for more than 30 years with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

MICROBIOLOGY – Determination of viral producers of gastroenteritis during 2010
The type of sample studiedwas stool, and the total number of samples studied was 2,195. Of these, 10 % tested positive for Rotavirus.