Labile Copper Test Enhances Evaluation for Wilson's Disease: Joshua Bornhorst, Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, share insights from industry news and recent conferences, including PlatforMed. They explore:The significant interest in diagnostics for the advancement of cancer care.The Joint Commission’s collaboration with the Coalition for Health AI to establish guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence. The growing understanding that platforms offer an opportunity to expand access and make knowledge more accessible as platform-driven solutions become a reality.The role of laboratorians in guiding the ethical and effective use of data and emerging technologies — and what this means for educating future healthcare professionals.The critical importance of values and ethics in deploying new tools.

Joshua Bornhorst, Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' labile copper assay (Mayo ID: LBCS) improves upon standard blood tests for Wilson's disease. The new test measures not just overall copper but also the fraction of copper that is bioavailable, or labile bound.(00:32) Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? (01:33) Could you give us a brief overview of this assay? (02:47) Which patients should have this testing, and when should it be performed? (03:48) How would the results be used in patient care?

John Lieske, M.D., and Sandra Taler, M.D., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' mass spectrometry assay helps evaluate patients for resistant hypertension. The test detects antihypertensive medications in urine, providing evidence of whether patients are absorbing their medications or whether a new treatment approach might be needed. Speaker 3: (00:33) Could you tell us a little about yourselves and your backgrounds? Speaker 3: (01:41) Dr. Taler, could you provide us with a brief background on resistant hypertension? Speaker 3: (03:43) Can you provide a little bit more background on patients who aren't taking their medications? Speaker 3: (05:11) How do physicians currently assess whether patients are taking their medications? Speaker 3: (07:03) Dr. Lieske, could you tell us how this new assay can be used to help physicians manage their patients with hypertension? Speaker 3: (09:43) Dr. Taler, can you tell us how doctors can use this new testing to manage their patients?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and Div Dubey, M.B.B.S., a neurologist and co-director of the Clinical Neuroimmunology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, explore the topic of peripheral neuropathy. Their discussion covers:The high prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and why early diagnosis is important. The complexities involved in diagnosing the condition.Symptoms that should prompt clinicians to order advanced testing early in the diagnostic process.How algorithms are enhancing the use of testing to complement other diagnostic tools.Ongoing discovery related to specific antibodies associated with neuropathies.Learn more in our e-book, "Peripheral neuropathy: Cutting through diagnostic dissonance with an algorithmic approach."

Joseph Yao, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new quantitative assay (Mayo ID: ADVQU) goes beyond qualitative testing to evaluate transplant patients for adenovirus infection. Adenovirus can cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised transplant patients, especially children.(01:14)Could you give us a brief overview of this assay? (02:06)Can you explain the differences of the qualitative and quantitative methods and why we made the change to a quantitative adenovirus method? (04:00)When is this test typically ordered for transplant patients? Is it used throughout their treatment? (06:56)Could an immunocompromised person be unknowingly infected? (07:31)Is our quantitative method approved for pediatric patients? (08:00)How are the test results used to treat patients?(10:36)What other infections might providers consider alongside adeovirus?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discuss global trends in diagnostic manufacturing and their implications for laboratory professionals. Topics include: Emerging innovations in mass spectrometry, next-generation sequencing, automation, and artificial intelligence. Fierce competition in the global manufacturing landscape as new companies enter the market. Geopolitical dynamics influencing where innovations are deployed. Why laboratory professionals need to drive innovation implementation to maximize benefits for clinicians and their patients.

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 value laboratories deliver for their entire health system. They cover how laboratories impact:Growth in revenueGrowth in lab chargesGrowth in ancillary servicesHospital length of stayControl over expensesYou can also find more in-depth information on this topic in “Maximizing your health system’s financial performance,” a white paper with data-driven ways laboratories support their organizations. 

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 tick-borne diseases. They cover:Different diseases patients can get from ticks. Disease prevention, including Dr. Pritt’s A through Z flash cards with tips for people to protect themselves from infectious insects.Laboratory medicine’s valuable role in testing and educating providers to diagnose patients quickly and accurately.Clinical areas most likely to encounter patients with tick-borne diseases.Reliable sources for details about the prevalence of different diseases around the country (e.g., U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Mayo Clinic Laboratories).

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 Russ Lebovitz, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Amprion. They discuss their strategic collaboration and the innovative SAAmplify™–αSYN (CSF) test. They covered: Details about how the cerebrospinal fluid biomarker test (Mayo ID: ASYNC) benefits patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of clinically uncertain cognitive decline or clinically uncertain Parkinsonian syndromes.Groundbreaking science on proteins that Amprion leveraged to create a solution that meaningfully impacts patient care and provides value to clinicians.Information physicians receive from the test, and when they should consider ordering it for their patients. Opportunities to change diagnostic journeys by providing accurate, early diagnosis with SAAmplify–αSYN. 

Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' SPAS test identifies the form of arsenic present in patients with arsenic exposure. That information is important for determining the potential level of harm and for removing the patient from the arsenic source to ease symptoms and prevent cancer risk.Speaker 3: (00:33) Do you mind telling us a little bit about yourself and your background? Speaker 3: (01:45)Could you please provide us with an overview of arsenic, how people get exposed, and the laboratory testing for arsenic and arsenic speciation? Speaker 3: (05:25)Which patients should have this testing, and when should it be performed? Speaker 3: (06:57)What alternative test options are available, and how does testing at Mayo Clinic compare? Speaker 3: (08:37)How are the results used in patient care?