Articles 2026

Mini Review: Addressing the Molecular Diagnostic Workforce Gap: Development of a Post baccalaureate Certificate in Molecular Genetic Technology

Peter Hu, Vishbuti Srivastava

Abstract

Background: Molecular diagnostic laboratories face a persistent shortage of skilled technologists that was exacerbated during the COVID 19 pandemic. Professional bodies have called for urgent expansion of accredited training programs.

Methods: A seven item survey was disseminated to alumni, clinical affiliates, advisory board members, and professional networks from October 23 to November 24, 2023.

Results: Of 300 responses, 291 were complete. Only 9.97 percent held a bachelor’s in medical laboratory science and 5.15 percent in clinical laboratory science, yet 76.71 percent reported current involvement in molecular testing. Interest in an online certificate was high at 98.29 percent.

Discussion: Findings indicate a mismatch between workforce skills and service demand and support targeted, flexible upskilling.

Conclusions: A post baccalaureate certificate offers a pragmatic pathway to strengthen the molecular workforce and support quality patient care.

Keywords: Molecular diagnostics, clinical laboratory workforce shortage, online education, molecular technologist training, post-baccalaureate certificate

Int. J. Bio. Lab. Sci 2026(15)1:80-85 【PDF】

Research article: Seasonal Variations in the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Pediatric Patients at Sacré Cœur Pediatric Center in Guinea–Conakry

Joel E. Mortensen, Pépé Guilavogui, Rachel Jamison, Rebecca J. Wilson, Anne M. White

Abstract

Background. Intestinal parasites are a major cause of illness and death among children worldwide, especially from resource-poor areas. However, limited pediatric data from these regions make the true prevalence unknown. The goal of this study was to determine the current rate of intestinal parasites in pediatric patients with a high likelihood of infection seen at Sacré Cœur Pediatric Center in Guinea–Conakry, West Africa, during wet and dry season (2024-2025).

Materials and Methods. The laboratory used direct microscopy to examine stool samples for parasites and a lateral flow device (Operon, Inc., Spain) to detect the three most common intestinal protozoa reported in the region: Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia duodenalis.

Results. Microscopy consistently showed low levels of Schistosoma mansoni (4-7%), hookworms (0. 0.7-1%), and Ascaris spp. (1-4%) in both seasons. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was higher during the dry season (p = 0.04). The incidence of intestinal protozoa in the seasons was as follows: G. duodenalis (28. 7% during rainy vs. 14. 1% during dry), E. histolytica (10. 2% vs. 1. 5%), and Cryptosporidium spp. (14. 6% vs. 3. 0%). The prevalence of all protozoa was greater during the rainy season (p < 0.001). Eight percent of samples contained multiple protozoa.

Conclusion. This study highlights a significant burden and seasonality of parasitic infections among pediatric patients. These findings will help improve clinical care in the region and aim to enhance children's health and preventable deaths.

Keywords: Guinea-Conakry, protozoal infections, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba; Giardia

Int. J. Bio. Lab. Sci 2026(15)1:59-64 【PDF】

Research article: Relevant Quality Assurance of Point-of-Care Testing in Emergency Home Health Nursing: An analysis of factors affecting Clinical Practice

Anja Dalsgaard Dellgren, Ida Dreier

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health challenge with substantial morbidity, mortality, and cost. Early detection is critical, yet abnormal kidney function results in primary care are often lacking timely follow-up.

Purpose: The study aims to identify factors affecting clinical practice related to QA for POCT analyses in EEH nursing services. This is to support collaboration between EHH nursing services and BLS’s located at hospital-based clinical laboratories, in designing relevant and functional QA programs for POCT performed in the EHH nursing service.

Material and Methods: EHH nursing services from four Danish districts participated in the project. The findings of this project are based on participant observations and interviews. Participant observation among EHH nurses in all four districts served as the foundation for a moderator guide, which was used for two focus group interviews among the nurses. Finally, the findings were refined through an interview formalized with two hospital-based BLS’s responsible for POCT QA. All three interviews were transcribed and processed through thematic analysis.

Outcomes/discussion: The EHH nursing services participating in this project all have a collaboration with a hospital-based BLS for their POCT QA. However, they all have experience with QA strategies, which have proven ineffi­cient. The results showed that the following themes influence the EHH nurses’ involvement in QA for POCT analyses: Management, Organization of QA, Approach to QA and Skills in QA. All the themes have factors that affect QA for POCT but also affect the EHH nurses’ quality of work life and/or professional values.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that an incentive to participate in QA programs for POCT must be established before collaboration between the management of EHH nursing service and the clinical laboratories is plausible. But if a collaboration has been established, key factors for QA-BLS include establishing collaboration with relevant districts management; organizing QA programs with attention to local structures and workflows; and encouraging strong relationships between QA-BLS and the EHH nurses to ensure correct training and follow-up among the EHH nurses.

Abbreviations: EHH = Emergency Home Health, POCT = Point-of-Care Test, QA = Quality Assurance, BLS = Biomedical Laboratory Scientists

Keywords: Point-Of-Care Testing (POCT), quality assurance (QA), home health nursing, cross-sector collaboration

Int. J. Bio. Lab. Sci 2026(15)1:65-79 【PDF】

Research article: Autoimmune Disease-Associated Reference Intervals for Routine Laboratory Tests Among Adult Outpatients

Landon J. Stovall-Guthrie, Juan U Rojo, Renée E. Lastrapes, Rajkumar Rajendran

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health challenge with substantial morbidity, mortality, and cost. Early detection is critical, yet abnormal kidney function results in primary care are often lacking timely follow-up.

Background: Current health-associated reference intervals (RIs) used in clinical practice are less applicable in patients with autoimmune diseases, creating the need for RIs aligned with the patient population. This study identified autoimmune disease-associated RIs and compared them to gold-standard RIs using analytical and biological variation.

Methods: Retrospective data for 16 laboratory tests were collected on outpatients with diagnosis codes for 5 autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD), and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HASHD) to establish RIs, using the Clinical Laboratory Science Institute guidelines. The reference population delta was calculated between disease-associated and health-associated RIs to determine significance based on a defined critical z score.

Results:  Of the 1,023 patient records reviewed, most were white (85%, n = 848) females (80%, n = 818) between the ages of 45 and 64 (44%, n = 451). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was the most prevalent condition (43%, n = 437). Separate RIs were established for the populations based on sex, age, and ethnicity. Statistically significant RIs included: SLE-associated changes in red blood cells (RBC’s), hemoglobin, and lymphocyte counts in females; SLE-associated albumin levels in diabetic patients; RA-associated hemoglobin in black, white, and older females; RA-associated RBC counts in males and females with cardiovascular disease; UC-associated changes in RBC, hemoglobin, and chloride in males; CD-associated hemoglobin in both sexes; CD-associated platelet count in males; and HASD-associated hemoglobin in females.

Conclusions: The autoimmune diseases impact chloride, RBC, hemoglobin, platelet, and lymphocyte RIs, suggesting the respective disease-associated RIs could be used to improve laboratory-based clinical decisions.

Keywords: Confidence interval, systemic lupus erythematosus, ulcerative colitis, white blood cell, red blood cell, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, autoimmune thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, Crohn’s disease.

Int. J. Bio. Lab. Sci 2026(15)1:36-58 【PDF】