Clinical Transplantation Laboratory
The Clinical Transplantation Laboratory is developing a virtual cross-match procedure to speed up the deceased donor work-up. They are also working with the Renal Team to develop a post-transplant monitoring testing service.
Inherited Metabolic Disease Laboratory
Very Long Chain Fatty Acid (VLCFA) analysis is a key investigation in the diagnosis of Peroxisomal disorders, a rare group of inherited diseases that can present in early infancy with severe neurological impairment. As part of an ongoing programme of service developments and improvements the Inherited Metabolic Disease Laboratory, part of the Biochemical Sciences Service at GSTS Pathology, has recently introduced new technology for VLCFA. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) has enabled the laboratory to decrease the turnaround time of this analysis, provide a same day service in urgent cases on request and allow other markers of interest to be quantified.
RVPfast Viral Respiratory Molecular Panel
The RVPfast Viral Respiratory Molecular Panel has recently been introduced in Infection and Immunology. This has vastly improved the respiratory pathogen repertoire and positivity rates in respiratory patients.
Bloodspot Acylcarnitine Service
In January 2011, the Inherited Metabolic Disease Laboratory went live with a bloodspot acylcarnitine service. Acylcarnitines are a core test in the investigation of metabolic disease therefore the introduction of this assay complements the existing service. The assay also enables confirmation of any MCADD positive Newborn Screening results in-house, the same day.
