Answers from the Lab Mayo Clinic Laboratories

David S. Viswanatha, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new assay provides rapid, definitive diagnosis of VEXAS, a recently identified syndrome affecting older men. Early diagnosis is key to managing the condition, which severely impacts multiple organs and blood.
(00:31) Could you please provide a little bit about yourself and your background?
 
(01:30) Would you please share a brief overview of the UBA1Q assay?
 
(02:13) Would you provide an overview of VEXAS syndrome?
 
(05:30) When is this testing recommended during care for patients who have a suspected inflammatory condition or VEXAS syndrome?
 
(06:38) What advantage does this assay provide over other methodologies?
 
(10:13) Could you share further why diagnosis is so important for these patients?
(12:40) Is there anything else you'd like to comment about the assay?

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 testing innovations for Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairments, and how laboratorians can responsibly help shape the future of healthcare.
Their discussion includes:
The latest news about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed rule around regulating lab-developed tests.New testing innovations for Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairments, including Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ plasma biomarker testing for Alzheimer’s disease. The importance of being responsible lab stewards and working closely with clinicians to understand how different testing approaches drive decision-making in healthcare settings.

Maryam Shahi, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique biomarker test (TEST ID: AFOLR) determines which patients would likely benefit from a new treatment for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. Disease recurrence is common, and about one-third of patients respond to the new medication. 
(00:32) Could you provide us with a little bit of information about yourself and your background?
 
(01:18) Can you start with a brief overview of the assay?
 
(02:13) Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed?
 
(03:21) Are there alternative test options available and how do those compare with the folate receptor alpha assay?
 
(03:57) 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. They discuss current events including Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, recent healthcare conferences, advocacy efforts, measles, and bird flu.
Their discussion includes:
Key takeaways from the Becker’s Healthcare Annual Meeting and the College of American Pathologists’ (CAP) Pathologists Leadership Summit.The resurgence of measles cases and recent activity of bird flu (H5N1).Tips for staying engaged and being the voice for patients.

Maria Alice Willrich, Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new assay provides therapeutic drug monitoring of risankizumab, or RISA. Test results help guide care for patients with plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn's disease.
(00:32) Do you mind giving the audience more information about yourself and your background?
 
(01:53) Could you please give a brief overview of this assay?
 
(03:35) Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed?
 
(04:57) How are the results used in patient care?
 
(06:59) Other monoclonal antibody therapies are usually monitored by a combination of drug quantification and analysis of antidrug antibodies. How is this test being offered?

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 Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of the Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, to discuss tick-borne diseases and the latest testing options.
Specific topics of discussion include:
The types of tick-borne diseases found throughout the United States. Algorithmic approaches and testing methods used to diagnose tick-borne diseases.Helpful resources for clinicians, including Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ Acute Tickborne Disease Testing Algorithm and Lyme Neuroborreliosis Diagnostic Algorithm.New tests recently developed by Mayo Clinic Laboratories to aid in the diagnosis of tick-borne disease, including:A broad range bacterial PCR and sequencing test for tick-borne bacteria and some zoonotic bacterial pathogens that may have a similar presentation (Mayo ID: BRBST).Molecular PCR testing to detect the viral RNA of Heartland virus in spinal fluid (Mayo ID: HRTVC) and serum (Mayo ID: HRTVS).Preventing tick bites.