Active vs Total Vitamin B12
Active vs Total Vitamin B12
Total vs Active B12
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is a vital water-soluble vitamin that plays an essential role in myelination initiation and development, cellular energy and fatty acid metabolism. It is a cofactor for enzymes methionine synthase and L-methyl-malonyl-coenzyme A mutase and, in addition to folate, is essential for DNA and protein synthesis. In the UK, up to 6% of adults under 60 have been diagnosed with Vitamin B12 deficiency and figures are much higher in elderly populations1. Additionally, these data do not consider the high rates of missed diagnosis associated with B12 deficiency, which some reports claim to be as high as 26%2. New guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advise that Active vitamin B12 testing is recommended for some groups of patients. In this article, we’ll look at this essential vitamin, B12 deficiency and the associated complications, compare the biomarkers used to diagnose B12 deficiency, and finally, present the new Acusera Active B12 Control.
Aetiology
Vitamin B12 deficiency can arise due to dietary insufficiency, malabsorption resulting from damage to the small intestine, often caused by conditions like Coeliac disease or Crohn’s disease, or via pernicious anaemia – an autoimmune condition which results in an inability to absorb vitamin B12.
It is a common problem in the elderly population – bodily stores of vitamin B12 can take up to 20 years to become depleted, meaning complications have often already begun before diagnosis occurs. The most common source of vitamin B12 comes from dietary intake of animal products therefore vegetarian dietary requirements are considered a considerable risk factor for vitamin B12 deficiency.
Pathophysiology and Complications
Vitamin B12 deficiency significantly impacts health, affecting various bodily functions, potentially leading to a range of complications. Megaloblastic anaemia is a common complication associated with vitamin B12 deficiency and is characterised by the presence of large red blood cell precursors (megaloblasts) in the bone marrow3. The lack of vitamin B12 results in impaired DNA synthesis and an inhibition of nuclear division. However, cytoplasmic maturation is less effected. This results in asynchronous maturation of the nucleus and cytoplasm in erythrocytes and causes the synthesis of abnormally large megaloblasts. This causes the cessation of DNA synthesis and DNA replication errors, culminating in apoptotic cell death. Common symptoms of megaloblastic anaemia include weakness, shortness of breath, palpitations, tachycardia, Hunter glossitis or splenomegaly3.
Pernicious anaemia is a condition commonly associated by vitamin B12 deficiency. Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune disorder which affects the gastric mucosa resulting in impaired absorption of vitamin B12. Common symptoms of pernicious anaemia include glossitis, hair loss, dry skin, memory loss, poor concentration, poor sleep, confusion and dizziness, shortness of breath, Diarrhoea, indigestion, loss of appetite, mood swings and suicidal thoughts.
Neurological issues may also arise, including numbness, mobility loss, and memory issues, and in some cases, depression4. Additionally, B12 deficiency is linked to increased risks of cardiovascular events5, infertility6, and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis7 and lupus8. In children, vitamin B12 deficiency can manifest as failure of brain and overall growth and development, developmental regression, hypotonia, lethargy, hyperirritability, or coma9.
Active B12 as a marker of Deficiency
There are several markers of vitamin B12 deficiency. The most used in clinical practice are total vitamin B12, homocysteine, methylmalonic acid (MMA), and Holotranscobalamin (HoloTC) – also known as Active B12. HoloTC accounts for between 10-30% of total B12 and is the metabolically active form of vitamin B12.
When compared with total B12 quantification, HoloTC measurement has been shown to be a more sensitive and specific biomarker of B12 deficiency, particularly at borderline clinical levels10, in various cohorts11,12 including those on vegan diets13 – a known risk factor for B12 deficiency. Furthermore, HoloTC was shown to provide the higher diagnostic accuracy in clinical and subclinical B12 deficiency versus Total B12, MMA and homocysteine with significantly higher accuracy in women over 5011 – a population at high risk of B12 deficiency.
In response to the mounting evidence of the superior utility of HoloTC quantification, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have produced new guidelines recommending either total B12 or HoloTC for the initial testing of suspected vitamin B12 deficiency. These guidelines specify the use of active B12 during pregnancy and suggest that active B12 might provide a more specific assessment in certain clinical contexts.
Acusera Active B12 Control
For the reasons stated above, Randox are proud to present the Acusera Active Vitamin B12 Control. This control is designed for use with in vitro diagnostic assays for the quantitative determination of HoloTC in human serum and plasma and is suitable for use on a variety of analysers. This true third-party control is provided in a liquid ready-to-use format reducing preparation time and has an impressive 30-day open vial stability, helping to minimise waste. Like all Acusera controls, the Active B12 Control is supplied at consistent, clinically relevant levels to ensure the test system is challenged at the critical decision limits used to aid diagnosis. Furthermore, this control is provided with assayed target values for a range of analysers which are available through our new SmartDocs portal.
Summary of Benefits:
- Dedicated, HoloTC control.
- 30-day Open Stability.
- 2-year shelf life.
- Liquid Ready-to-use.
- Human Serum Based.
- Consistent, clinically significant values.
- True third-party controls.
- Assayed target values.
Ensure the accuracy of your vitamin B12 testing with Randox’s Acusera Active Vitamin B12 Control. Join the other laboratories around the world who trust Acusera to help deliver reliable, clinically relevant test results. Contact us today at marketing@randox.com to learn more and order your supply of the Acusera Active B12 Control.
References
- Hunt A, Harrington D, Robinson S. Vitamin B12 deficiency. BMJ. 2014;349(sep04 1):g5226-g5226. doi:10.1136/bmj.g5226
- Oh RC, Brown DL. Vitamin B 12 Deficiency Clinical Manifestations of Vitamin B 12 Deficiency. Vol 67.; 2003. www.aafp.org/afp
- Hariz A, Bhattacharya PT. Megaloblastic Anemia. StatPerals Publishing; 2024.
- Patel S V., Makwana AB, Gandhi AU, Tarani G, Patel J, Bhavsar V. Factors associated with vitamin B12 deficiency in adults attending tertiary care Hospital in Vadodara: a case control study. Egypt J Intern Med. 2022;34(1):11. doi:10.1186/s43162-022-00104-0
- Pawlak R, Parrott SJ, Raj S, Cullum-Dugan D, Lucus D. How prevalent is vitamin B12 deficiency among vegetarians? Nutr Rev. 2013;71(2):110-117. doi:10.1111/nure.12001
- Green R, Graff JP. Megaloblastic Anemia. In: Atlas of Diagnostic Hematology. Elsevier; 2021:47-51. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-56738-1.00004-X
- Najafi MR, Shaygannajad V, Mirpourian M, Gholamrezaei A. Vitamin B(12) Deficiency and Multiple Sclerosis; Is there Any Association? Int J Prev Med. 2012;3(4):286-289.
- Segal R, Baumoehl Y, Elkayam O, et al. Anemia, serum vitamin B12, and folic acid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatol Int. 2004;24(1):14-19. doi:10.1007/s00296-003-0323-2
- Stabler SP. Vitamin B12 Deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine. 2013;368(2):149-160. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1113996
- Bondu JD, Nellickal AJ, Jeyaseelan L, Geethanjali FS. Assessing Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum Holotranscobalamin (Active-B12) in Comparison with Other Markers of Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry. 2020;35(3):367-372. doi:10.1007/s12291-019-00835-y
- Jarquin Campos A, Risch L, Nydegger U, et al. Diagnostic Accuracy of Holotranscobalamin, Vitamin B12, Methylmalonic Acid, and Homocysteine in Detecting B12 Deficiency in a Large, Mixed Patient Population. Dis Markers. 2020;2020:1-11. doi:10.1155/2020/7468506
- Verma A, Aggarwal S, Garg S, Kaushik S, Chowdhury D. Comparison of Serum Holotranscobalamin with Serum Vitamin B12 in Population Prone to Megaloblastic Anemia and their Correlation with Nerve Conduction Study. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry. 2023;38(1):42-50. doi:10.1007/s12291-022-01027-x
- Lederer AK, Hannibal L, Hettich M, et al. Vitamin B12 Status Upon Short-Term Intervention with a Vegan Diet—A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Participants. Nutrients. 2019;11(11):2815. doi:10.3390/nu11112815
Serum Indices – Product Spotlight
Errors can occur at any point in the pre-analytical, analytical, or post-analytical stages of a diagnostic test. It is general practice for errors in the analytical stage to be identified through quality control procedures. However, pre-analytical errors are often treated with less importance than those in later stages of testing. Interference caused by haemolysis, icterus and lipemia (HIL) are common forms of pre-analytical error which affect assay methods, yielding erroneous results. The Randox Acusera Serum Indices (SI) control is designed to monitor an IVD instrument’s response in the detection of HIL interferences.
HIL interference is not novel and has been historically identified through a series of visual assessments. While haemolytic, icteric and lipemic interference causes a visual change in the sample, these methods are not quantitative and are subject to interpretation by laboratory professionals. Modern analysers have built-in capabilities for the automated detection of HIL interference which can quantitatively or semi-quantitatively measure haemolysis, icterus and lipemia, and provide and an index for each. This data can then be used to determine if a sample should be accepted for testing or rejected due to intrinsic interference.
The pre-analytical phase of laboratory testing includes collection, handling, transportation, storage, and preparation of samples. Even when the highest level of care is taken to ensure that all aspects of the pre-analytical phase are suitable and correct, errors can occur, exhibiting the need for clear and efficient quality control processes.
As part of our Acusera quality control range, Randox has developed the Serum Indices quality control to aid in the detection of the common pre-analytical error’s haemolysis, icterus and lipemia, collectively known as HIL. HIL interference can have disastrous effects on the quantification of many analytes, and it is therefore vital to determine levels of interference to improve laboratory efficiency and reduce the frequency of erroneous results.
The graph below shows the wavelengths at which each of these interferents may affect assays and the table below describes these forms of interference:
Classical determination of HIL interference took the form of a visual assessment. A sample was examined for tell-tale signs of one or more of these types of interference. However, these methods are subject to operator interpretation and lack harmonisation and uniformity across the industry. These signs are detailed in the table and illustrated in the graphic below:
Modern clinical chemistry analysers have onboard HIL detection capabilities which offer objective, semi-qualitative or qualitative analysis of these forms of interference in a more precise and consistent manner. Automation of HIL detection improves laboratory throughput along with test turnaround times and enhances the reportability of the results.
Errors at any stage of the analytical process will result in retesting of the sample. Errors in the pre-analytical phase can have repercussions such as increased cost of repeated sample collection and testing, poor test turnaround times, and more seriously, delayed or incorrect diagnosis causing an exacerbation in the condition of the patient. To add to the adverse outcomes on patients, repeated testing places additional stress on laboratory resources and staff which ultimately affects every aspect of a laboratory’s daily activities.
To correctly analyse HIL interference, absorbance readings at different strategically selected wavelengths supplement the calculation of the interference indices. C56-A recommends laboratories consider several parameters when selecting an HIL interference analysis method:
Before implementing results obtained from any method detecting HIL in patient samples, it is imperative to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of the method at a minimum of two clinically relevant concentrations. This assessment should encompass the sensitivity of the icterus index to haemoglobin and lipids, the haemolysis index to bilirubin and lipids, and the lipemic index to haemoglobin and bilirubin.
In instances of HIL interference, laboratories bear the responsibility of managing the associated results and samples. It is crucial never to utilise an HIL index for the correction of patient results. Typically, if a sample is determined to be affected by one or more of these interferences, the laboratory should reject the result and appropriately dispose of the sample. Nonetheless, in certain scenarios, threshold values can be established. For instance, haemolysis may exert a lesser impact on samples with elevated analyte concentrations. In such cases, laboratories may opt for a distinct procedure in handling these results compared to those exhibiting haemolytic interference at lower analyte concentrations.
Acusera Serum Indices Control
The Randox Acusera Serum Indices (SI) control is designed to be used to monitor an IVD instrument’s response in the detection of haemolyzed, icteric and lipemic (HIL) samples. This control can be utilised in laboratory interference testing to assist in improving error detection of pre-analytical errors affecting clinical chemistry testing. This control provides a full range of clinically relevant testing levels, including a negative (-) and three positives (+, ++ & +++).
The Randox Control offers a comprehensive solution with 3 levels for each form of interference and a negative control, providing a wider coverage compared to alternatives in the market. Our product is conveniently supplied in a lyophilized format, ensuring an extended shelf-life and ease of storage. Customers appreciate the stability of our control, as it consistently meets the 14-day open stability claims, minimizing waste and optimizing laboratory efficiency.
Typical Values
RIQAS Serum Indices External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Serum Indices EQA programme is designed for the pre-analytical assessment of Haemolytic, Icteric and Lipemic (HIL) interferences. Available in a bi-monthly format with the option to report either quantitative or semi-quantitative results for the HIL parameters, this programme also provides an assessment on how these interferences impact on up to 25 routine chemistry parameters. This provides invaluable information on whether a correct judgement is being made to report results.
• Lyophilised for enhanced stability
• Human based serum ensuring commutable sample matrix
• Bi-monthly reporting
• HIL parameters include the option of quantitative or semi-quantitative reporting
• Interpretation of chemistry parameter results
• Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
How can Randox help?
It is crucial laboratories test for haemolysis, icterus and lipemia to ensure the accuracy of their test processes are maintained. ISO 15189:2022 promotes the identification and control of non-conformities in the pre-analytical process, therefore, using Randox Serum Indices control and RIQAS Serum Indices EQA will help laboratories fulfil the requirements of the new edition of this standard.
Randox Serum Indices control displays improved consolidation, stability, and commutability to ensure laboratories are equipped to accurately determine pre-analytical interferences. Our Serum Indices control can be used with most major chemistry analysers including Roche, Abbot, Beckman, Ortho, and Siemens. When used in conjunction with Acusera 24.7, this control offers laboratories the ability to compare their HIL results with their peer group and identify potential failures in their pre-analytical process.
Simply send us an email by clicking the link below and we will get in touch!
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week 2024
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (MLPW) is recognised every year in the last full week of April. It’s an opportunity to increase the public understanding of, and appreciation for, the hard work of clinical laboratory staff around the world. It’s also an opportunity to inject a little fun into the laboratory. So, this year, we’ve created a Lab Professionals QC Bingo card. Have a go and see how many your laboratory can get!
How many boxes does your lab tick?
If you’re calling Bingo! you must be an Acusera 24.7 customer. If not, keep reading to find out how you can make daily life in your laboratory more straightforward.
What are Medical Laboratory Professionals?
Medicine wouldn’t be where it is today without the work of these laboratory professionals. They’re on the frontline. Around 70% of medical decisions are based on results provided by medical laboratory staff. That’s a lot of pressure on the labs to make sure their results are accurate. Clinical laboratory staff not only perform the tests used to guide diagnosis and disease prevention, but they also check all the tests they use through rigorous quality control (QC) procedures.
This involves testing samples of known values to prove that the test system and its components perform as they should and provide accurate results. To do this, laboratories require QC material. It’s important that what’s in a QC is as similar to what you’d find in a patient sample as possible. This is known as commutability. Good commutability helps limit cross-reactivity in the test and inaccurate results.
It’s also important to make sure the QC material has concentrations of analytes at similar values to those used to make diagnostic decisions. If you wanted to validate the length of the ruler on your desk, it wouldn’t be helpful to set it down on a 100m running track. Similarly, when laboratory professionals want to ensure a test is producing accurate results, they want to test the system at the critical values used to make medical decisions so that they can be confident the results at these values are accurate.
Once lab staff have confirmed the accuracy of their tests, they can begin testing patient samples. For most people, what happens to a sample after it’s taken is a bit of a mystery. MLPW is the perfect opportunity to unravel this a little:
After your sample is collected, it gets sent over to the lab. Even just moving it there needs careful handling to make sure it’s still good for testing when it arrives. Once it’s in the lab, the team checks the equipment to make sure it’s working right and giving accurate results. The QC procedure varies depending on what they’re testing for, but they always make sure their tests are legitimate. Once they’ve checked everything and carried out the tests, a pathologist looks at the results to figure out what’s going on. They use this information to help decide on the best treatment plan for you.
Even this watered-down explanation makes it sound like a lot of work, right? At Randox, we recognise the vital role and dedicated efforts of medical laboratory professionals, and the invaluable contributions they make to society, and we hope that now, you do too.
Acusera 24.7
Bingo! That’s exactly how our customers feel when they realise how much time Acusera 24.7 can save them. Our innovative and intuitive QC data software is cloud-based, allowing you to log in from anywhere in the world to review your QC data.
Along with a wide range of interactive charts, including Levey-Jennings charts, Acusera 24.7 determines measurement uncertainty and sigma metrics for you, saving you the time and stress of manually calculating these tricky statistical analyses. And that’s just the beginning. Acusera 24.7 can link to LIMS for automated data entry, meaning lab staff don’t have to manual type long datasets, unless they want to of course; we also provide both semi-automated data upload and manual data entry options.
Access to a range of reports has never been easier. Acusera 24.7 is particularly useful when gaining or renewing your accreditation, and live peer group QC data, to give additional confidence in the accuracy of your results.
But this article is supposed to be about laboratory professionals, so we won’t bang on about it anymore. We just want everyone to know about Acusera 24.7 so they can get that daily bingo! feeling for themselves. If you want to learn more about our reports, charts, advanced statistical analysis, Acusera 24.7 more generally, or how Acusera 24.7 can help you achieve your accreditation, you can follow the links to the relevant blog post.
Last year, we interviewed two of our laboratory staff, Dean and Meadhbh, to find out what a normal day looked like for them. To find out what a day in the life of a laboratory professional is like, take a look at the interviews here
If you’d like to get in touch with us to discuss the advantages of Acusera 24.7, or you’ve made up your mind and want to get in on the action, reach out to us at marketing@randox.com. We’re always happy to brag about how great Acusera 24.7 is, and how we make life simpler for more and more laboratories every day.
RIQAS Performance Assessment – Z Score vs SDI
Z Score vs SDI
You work hard to implement top class quality control in all areas of your laboratory. The success of your labours is reported to you through your External Quality Assessment (EQA) results. It can be frustrating when your report is returned, only for you to find that you’ve been assigned a poor performance score due to other laboratories in your participation group.
At RIQAS, we want your EQA results to reflect your performance, not that of everyone else, to truly illustrate the efficacy of your quality control procedures. This is why, instead of Z scores, we report your performance in terms of a Standard Deviation Index (SDI). However, we know that in some countries, you’re required to report a Z score. Don’t fret. You can still find this result in the .csv file provided with your report.
A Z score is a statistical measurement that describes a value’s relationship to the mean of a group of values. In other words, it’s a value calculated to tell us how many standard deviations (SDs) a result is from the expected mean. Z score is reported in terms of SD’s, therefore a Z score of 0 shows the result is identical to the mean.
While useful in many cases, when used in EQA, a Z score can give a false perception of performance. We want RIQAS participant performance assessment to be based on their individual performance, rather than being impacted by how well, or poorly, the other laboratories in the group performed for a sample.
Z score is calculated using a variable SD. This means that as results are added, the mean and SD can change. For example, if overall performance for a sample improves, the CV associated with the data will decrease, causing an increase in Z score. Let’s take a quick look at how RIQAS performance assessment works, and then we can get into SDI.
RIQAS Performance Assessment.
Our target scoring system has been developed to provide a simple interpretation of your laboratory’s performance. To calculate a target score, your result is calculated as a percentage deviation (V) from the Mean for Comparison. This deviation is then compared to a Target Deviation for Performance Assessment (TDPA) to calculate the Target Score.
The difference between your result and the mean for comparison is expressed as a Target Score (TS) using the following mathematical formulae:
The better your percentage deviation compared to the TDPA, the higher your Target Score will be.
TDPA are set to encourage participants to achieve and maintain acceptable performance. Target Deviations are assigned to be fit-for-purpose and take all possible sources of variation into account, including sample homogeneity and stability as per ISO/IEC17043, ISO13528 and IUPAC.
In general, the TDPA is set so that ~10% laboratories achieve Target Scores less than 50. However, depending on homogeneity and stability, the TDPAs may be adjusted, so that participants’ performance is not adversely affected by sample variability. If your % deviation (V) is equal to the Target Deviation for Performance Assessment (TDPA) then a target score of 50 is achieved.
RIQAS reviews TDPAs annually and the methods used to assign them have been agreed by the RIQAS Advisory Panel.
Standard Deviation Index (SDI)
To provide a more accurate assessment of performance, we use SDI instead of Z score. SDI is a score which compares the participant’s difference from the assigned value (mean for comparison) with an evaluation interval called the Standard Deviation for Performance Assessment (SDPA).
The SDPA calculation involves a series of steps. First, we calculate a CV for Performance assessment (CVPA) as shown below:
As mentioned, the TPDA is normally set so that ~10% of laboratories achieve a TS less than 50. In such cases, the t-value used to convert TDPA to CVPA is ~1.645. However, depending on homogeneity and stability, the TDPA may need be increased, so that participants’ performance is not adversely affected by sample variability. In such cases less than 10% of laboratories will have poor performance, and a larger t-value will be chosen to convert TDPA to CVPA
We then convert CVPA to SDPA:
Using this equation, an initial SDPA is calculated for every mean for comparison (i.e. for all methods, method, and instrument statistics). However, for new parameters or those which have small participation numbers, it’s not always possible to assign a target deviation, TDPA or SDPA. In such cases, the SDPA will be the SD calculated when the mean for comparisons is generated.
According to ISO/IEC17043, when the assigned value is based on consensus (mean for comparison), the uncertainty of the assigned value must be calculated and combined with the SDPA when it is considered to be significant. This forms an adjusted SDPA, which is used to calculate the participant’s performance in terms of SDI.
Using the SDPAadjusted we can calculate SDI using the formula below:
On your RIQAS report, you’ll find the SDI associated with the current sample in the text section of each report page. We also provide your last 20 SDIs, plotted on a Levey-Jennings chart, along with an indication of the mean for comparison for each sample (I = Instrument group, M = Method group, or A = All Methods group). Acceptable performance is an SDI of less than ± 2.
RIQAS EQA
RIQAS is the world’s largest EQA scheme with more than 75,000 laboratory participants spanning over 138 countries. Choosing an EQA provider is no easy task. That’s why we’ve produce a guide to help you find the right one for you. You can download it here.
At RIQAS, we’re always coming up with new ways to make your performance assessment and result interpretation even easier. We’re also proud of our new programmes and pilot schemes. This year, we’re running pilot programmes for Anti-psychotic drugs, Chagas and Blood Typing.
If you’d like to find out more about the range of programmes we provide, visit our website or download our brochure. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us at marketing@randox.com.
World Tuberculosis Day 2024
Tuberculosis in Brief
When we think of Tuberculosis (TB) we tend to think of an old-timey disease. Doc Holliday, the famous gunslinger, died of consumption, the old-world name for TB. As did Fantine from Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables” and Nicole Kidman’s, Santine, in the 2001 movie, Moulin Rouge! For the videogame fans out there, you might be familiar with Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2 who, depending on how you played the game, may have suffered a similar fate. However, this disease is still prevalent around the world today. TB is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis estimated to infect around 10 million people and is responsible for up to 1.5 million deaths each year1.
Originally discovered in 1882, M. tuberculosis is an airborne pathogen which primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body2. TB infection exists in 3 states: latent, subclinical, and active. A latent TB infection is asymptomatic and non-transmissible. Subclinical infections are also asymptomatic but transmissible and will produce a positive culture. Finally, active disease is a transmissible state associated with the symptoms of TB2. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around ¼ of the world population is infected with M. tuberculosis3. Up to 15% of those infected with TB will progress to active disease, while those who do not are at a heightened risk of infection throughout the rest of their lives4. Compared with some other bacterial diseases, TB is not particularly infectious. An infected individual is estimated to infect between 3-10 people per year2. However, subclinical TB infections present a challenge in reducing transmission because asymptomatic individuals may unknowingly spread the disease – over 1/3 of TB infections are never formally diagnosed5.
The symptoms of an active TB infection include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, weight loss, and where the infection effects the lungs, a persistent cough and haemoptysis (coughing up blood). HIV-infection is a major risk factor for TB infection and mortality. Up to 12% of all new cases and 25% of TB deaths occur in HIV-positive persons2. Other risk factors for the development of TB are, malnutrition, poor indoor air quality, Type 2 diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking1.
TB is present around the world. However, as you might expect from the risk factors, low-to-middle income and developing countries account for a disproportionate number of cases. According to WHO, half of all TB infections are found in 8 countries: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, and South Africa.
Without effective treatment, TB will kill and estimated 50% of those infected2. Treatment for TB typically involves first-line antibiotics such as isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, with second-line drugs including fluoroquinolones and injectable aminoglycosides6. Nonetheless, drug-resistant TB accounts for an inordinately large amount of the global AMR burden which can arise from both transmitted and acquired resistance. Resistant M. tuberculosis strains are classified as monoresistant – those resistant to 1 drug; multi-drug resistant (MDR) – those resistant to 2 or more first line treatments, commonly isoniazid and rifampicin; and extensively drug resistant (XDR) – MDR strains which are also resistant to second line therapies like fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides6.
Global rates of TB have been declining. An estimated 75 million lives have been saved since 20001. Furthermore, between 2015 and 2020, TB incidence fell by 13.5%7. However, the progress made over the last decade has been compromised by the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrated by a, 18% drop in diagnosis between 2019 and 20207. Explanations for this decline include delayed treatment because of lack of access to public transport and healthcare facilities, disruption of laboratory services, a personal desire to avoid the stigma of disease and misdiagnosis due to the similarities in symptoms between TB and COVID-19.
The theme for World Tuberculosis Day 2024 is “Yes, we can end TB!” The WHO have set targets of an 80% decline in new cases and a 90% drop in TB-related deaths by 2030. Screening and preventative treatments are crucial to achieving these goals. Therefore, novel methods of detection which are quick, inexpensive and include drug resistance identification are needed.
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis EQA
It is important for those carrying out TB testing to ensure their instruments and methods are accurate and effective. External Quality Assessment (EQA) programmes are an essential part of this process. QCMD is an independent international EQA organisation primarily focused on molecular infectious diseases to over 2000 participants in over 100 countries.
QCMD offers 2 programmes for those testing for TB through molecular methods: Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Drug Resistance.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA EQA Programme
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Drug Resistance EQA Programme
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Quality Controls
Those conducting research into TB infections and new methods of detection, screening and drug resistance profiling need to be confident that the equipment they are using is up to the task. Qnostics is a leading provider of Quality Control solutions for molecular infectious disease testing. Our range comprises hundreds of characterised viral, bacterial, and fungal targets covering a wide range of diseases.
Q Controls
Our range of positive run, whole pathogen, third party controls are designed to monitor assay performance on a routine basis. As true third-party controls, assay drift is detected, monitored, and managed, helping to ensure accurate and reliable results. The use of third-party controls will also help to support ISO 15189:2012 regulatory requirements.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) Q Control 01
Target Pathogen – Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)
Matrix – Synthetic Sputum
Stability – Single use control designed to be used immediately minimising the risk of contamination
Shelf Life – Up to 2 years from date of manufacture
Regulatory Status – Research Use Only
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) Rifampicin Resistant Q Control
Compatible for use with Cepheid analysers, this whole pathogen positive control is designed to monitor the performance of molecular assays used in the detection of Rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Target Pathogen – Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)
Target Genotype – Rifampicin Resistance
Matrix – Synthetic Sputum
Stability – Single use control designed to be used immediately minimising the risk of contamination
Shelf Life – Up to 2 years from date of manufacture
Regulatory Status – Research Use Only
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) Evaluation Panel Control
QNOSTICS Evaluation Panels cover a range of genotypes and/or levels, and may be used to evaluate assay characteristics, confirm performance claims, and ultimately ensure the assay is fit for purpose. Evaluation Panels may also be used in the validation of clinical assays and the development of new diagnostic tests.
This dedicated MTB Evaluation Panel comprises 3 targets relating to Mycobacterium tuberculosis for validating a new assay or instrument to ensure that everything is working as expected. High and medium concentrations are provided alongside a negative sample.
Target Pathogens – MTB, M. bovis, Rifampicin (Rif) resistant MTB, Isoniazid (INH) resistant MTB, Negative
Matrix – Synthetic Sputum
Panel Members – 8 (Including a negative)
Stability – Single use. Once thawed, use immediately
Shelf Life – up to 2 years from date of manufacture
Regulatory Status – Research Use Only
If you are interested in any of the TB quality control products shown above, or any other products from our wide catalogue of molecular controls and EQA programmes, get in touch with us today at marketing@randox.com. To learn more, see the links below which will take you to the relevant sites and brochures.
QNOSTICS – www.randox.com/molecular-infectious-disease-controls/
QCMD – https://www.qcmd.org/
References
- World Health Organisation. Tuberculosis. Fact Sheets. Published November 7, 2023. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis
- Pai M, Behr MA, Dowdy D, et al. Tuberculosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2(1):16076. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.76
- World Health Organisation. Tuberculosis. https://www.who.int/health-topics/tuberculosis.
- Andrews JR, Noubary F, Walensky RP, Cerda R, Losina E, Horsburgh CR. Risk of Progression to Active Tuberculosis Following Reinfection With Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2012;54(6):784-791. doi:10.1093/cid/cir951
- Adigun R, Singh R. Tuberculosis. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
- Liebenberg D, Gordhan BG, Kana BD. Drug resistant tuberculosis: Implications for transmission, diagnosis, and disease management. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022;12. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2022.943545
- World Health Organisation. Global Tuberculosis Report 2022.; 2022. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2022
Patient-Centric, Smart Quality Controls for Immunoassays
In 2022, an updated version of ISO15189 was released, placing an emphasis on risk management with the aim of mitigating risk to patients. This updated document means that rigorous quality control (QC) procedures are more important than ever.
ISO15189:2022 cites the use of third-party controls with commutable matrices manufactured to provide concentrations close to clinical decision limits, among others, as crucial considerations. ISO15189:2022 also highlights the importance of identifying and minimising errors in the pre-analytical process. ‘Load & Go’ or ‘Smart’ quality controls are becoming increasingly popular in laboratories around the world to realise this objective.
Smart controls are designed to optimise laboratory workflows, allowing laboratorians to load the control onto an instrument where it can remain until its expiry date, bringing several advantages to laboratories who run immunoassays.
The first is the minimisation of human error and other pre-analytical errors. As these controls are ready-to-go out of the box, there is no chance of reconstitution errors which can result in deviations from target values and contamination which could lead to problematic cross-reactions. Smart quality controls reduce the risk of stability issues resulting from aliquoting or the repetitive opening of vials, and eliminate the possibility of mislabelled controls, while freeing up more storage space.
Smart controls also offer the possibility of improvements in other areas of the laboratory. The reduction in the preparation required for these controls allows laboratories to use this time improving other elements of their QC practices, such as QC analysis and process improvement. Less steps in the QC process not only means time saved in the process itself, but less paperwork for laboratory staff, further freeing up time for more useful practices.
Immunoassay Smart quality controls provide laboratories with an effective QC solution which aids in the optimisation of workflows and the reduction of test turnaround times and the risk of human error throughout the QC process. However, if considering a Smart quality controls for your laboratory, its important to remember the other factors which make a good QC including matrix, stability, and clinically relevant concentrations.
The New Acusera Smart range has been designed to streamline workflows, minimise human error and reduce the strain on your cold storage. The convenient design means these controls can be loaded directly onto the analyser allowing the automation of the QC process, reducing turnaround times and increasing efficiency.
As well as the Immunoassay control, the Acusera Smart range also includes Clinical Chemistry, Liquid Cardiac and Parathyroid Hormone controls. We offer two options: Acusera SmartScan and Acusera SmartLoad. Take a look at the graphic below for more details.
We will be adding more controls to our Smart range soon. To stay up to date with this and all our other product releases, join our mailing list.
If you’d like some more information on any of the products in the Acusera range, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact us at marketing@randox.com.
A Peculiar Problem in Pregnancy and the Placenta
Complications and Diagnosis of Pre-eclampsia
When we consider our most important organ its intuitive to choose the heart, the lungs or even the kidneys. However, there’s another without which none of us would be here to have the discussion. This ephemeral organ provides us with the nutrients necessary for development, removes malevolent agents, provides our initial immunity and much more, before being cast off as we enter the world. We are, of course, talking about the placenta. Indeed, all our organs work together to support life and it’s arbitrary to imbue one with more importance than the others. Nevertheless, as our first organ, the significance of the placenta is irrefutable.
Placental dysfunction, along with several other factors, is known to contribute to the development of pre-eclampsia – a complex, multisystem hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. While the aetiology of pre-eclampsia remains largely unknown, the grave complications associated with it have driven development of novel methods for predicting its onset.
Pre-eclampsia and Epidemiology
Pre-eclampsia is traditionally defined as new onset hypertension and proteinuria in pregnancy1, however, the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics’ (FIGO) clinical definition describes it as sudden onset hypertension (>20 weeks of gestation) and at least one of the following: proteinuria, maternal organ dysfunction or uteroplacental dysfunction2. It is responsible for an estimated 70’000 maternal deaths, and 500’000 foetal deaths globally3. Pre-eclampsia affects around 4% of pregnancies in the US and is more common in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs), displaying an overall pooled incidence of 13% in a cohort from sub-Saharan Africa4. The risk factors for pre-eclampsia are shown in the graphic below.
Pre-eclampsia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the US, pre-eclampsia is the foremost cause of maternal death, severe maternal morbidity, maternal intensive care admissions and prematurity5.
Classical classification of pre-eclampsia included early-onset (<34 weeks gestation) and late-onset (>34 weeks gestation). However, this classification lacks clinical utility as it does not accurately illustrate maternal or foetal prognosis. Therefore, the International Society for the study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP) and contemporary studies prefer to classify pre-eclampsia as preterm (delivery <37 weeks of gestation), term (delivery ≥37 weeks of gestation) and postpartum pre-eclampsia (after delivery).
Complications
Pre-eclampsia has been associated with acute and chronic complications for both mother and child. Worldwide risk of maternal and foetal morbidity displays adjusted odds ratios of 3.73 and 3.12, respectively (pre-eclampsia vs non pre-eclampsia)6.
Acute Maternal Complications
A range of neurological complications are associated with pre-eclampsia. The most obvious is eclampsia, defined as seizures in pregnant women commonly from 20 weeks of gestation or after birth7. Eclampsia has two proposed mechanisms: abnormal placentation reduces blood supply and causes oxidative stress, leading to endothelial damage; and elevated blood pressure in pre-eclampsia disrupts cerebral vasculature, causing hypoperfusion and damage8. In high-income countries (HICs), most women make a full recovery, however, more severe cases of eclampsia can result in permanent disability or brain damage7.
Stroke is a significant complication of pre-eclampsia, constituting 36% of strokes related to pregnancy9. The hypertension characteristic of pre-eclampsia can weaken the walls of blood vessels causing subarachnoid or intracerebral haemorrhage resulting in haemorrhagic stroke. Ischaemic stroke is also of concern due to blood clotting complications which will be discussed later.
Additonal neurological complications include visual scotoma, cortical blindness, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and posterior reversible encephalopathic syndrome (PRES). Notably, the last three in this list frequently manifest postpartum without warning6.
HELLP (Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets) syndrome is a liver and blood clotting disorder and life-threatening complication of pre-eclampsia. HELLP syndrome most commonly presents immediately postpartum but can manifest any time after 20 weeks of gestation7. Microangiopathy, or small blood vessel disorder, leads to ischaemia and a subsequent increase in oxidative stress and inflammation, causing an increase in liver enzymes and participates in the initiation of HELLP. Thrombocytopenia, or platelet deficiency, is considered a product of platelet depletion resulting from heightened platelet activation triggered by widespread endothelial damage6.
Another blood clotting condition associated with pre-eclampsia is Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)7, described as the dysfunction of the maternal blood clotting system resulting in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome10. DIC can cause excessive bleeding due to lack of clotting proteins, or the formation of clots due to overactive clotting proteins, ultimately causing organ damage10.
As described earlier, proteinuria is included in the diagnostic criteria for pre-eclampsia, suggesting involvement of the kidneys. This is caused by high concentrations of soluble FMS like Tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT-1), a placental angiogenic factor, which inhibits proteins of the podocyte slit diaphragm6; the machinery involved in preventing the leakage of proteins into the urine11. Reduced levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) stimulates Endothelin 1 expression6, known to promote podocyte detachment, further contributing to proteinuria12.
Finally, Pulmonary oedema, excessive fluid accumulation in the lungs, is an acute and life-threatening complication associated with pre-eclampsia, the likelihood of which is increased via administration of antihypertensive medications6.
Acute Neonatal Complications
There are several documented complications affecting the baby of a pre-eclamptic mother. Firstly, Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can result in underdevelopment of the foetus because of deficient transfer of oxygen and other nutrients from mother to child13. This can result in low birth weight, particularly when pre-eclampsia occurs prior to 37 weeks of gestation7. In pre-eclampsia with severe symptoms, delivery frequently occurs prematurely, either spontaneously or through induction. Preterm delivery can result in complications such as neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and neonates often require ICU admission7. Additionally, there is increased risk of stillbirth in pre-eclamptic pregnancies with relative risk shown to be 1.45 (95% Cl 1.20-1.76)14. Other complications documented in neonates born through pre-eclamptic pregnancies include neonatal thrombocytopenia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and a range of neurodevelopment outcomes15.
Long-term Complications
The only known cure for pre-eclampsia is delivery. However, the complications for both mother and child can last long after even an uncomplicated delivery. After a pre-eclamptic pregnancy, women are increased risk of end stage renal disease (4.7-fold), stroke (4-fold) and vascular dementia (3-fold) later in life5. Women are also at increased risk of other cardiovascular disease (CVD) including chronic hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure5, and ischaemic heart disease13. In offspring, IUGR increases the risk of development of hypertension and other CVD13. Finally, offspring have been shown to be at higher risk of increased body mass index, changes in neuroanatomy, reductions in cognitive function, and hormonal abnormalities13.
sFLT-1/PlGF ratio
The pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia is complex and enigmatic. However, placental dysfunction is known to be a factor in pre-eclampsia development. The placental-related angiogenic factors, sFLT-1 (anti-angiogenic) and PlGF (pro-angiogenic), have been implicated in this development. This ratio provides a useful measure of placental dysfunction as a sharp increase in sFLT-1 and decrease in PlGF has been shown approximately 5 weeks before onset of pre-eclampsia16.
Until recently, diagnosis of pre-eclampsia was one of clinical manifestation. However, studies such as PROGNOSIS17 and PROGNOSIS Asia18, along with others19,20, have shown strong utility of this ratio. The PROGNOSIS study showed that a ratio cutoff of ≥38 was useful for ruling out pre-eclampsia within 1 week with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.3% or 4 weeks with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 36.7%17. The definitions of pre-eclampsia used by ICCHP and American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) have a PPV of around 20%, but when used in combination with the sFLT-1/PlGF ratio, the PPV is enhanced to 65.5% for ruling in pre-eclampsia within 4 weeks.21.
Similar results have been shown in an Asian cohort in the PROGNOSIS Asia Study. Using the same cutoff value, this study reported an NPV of 98.9%18. Furthermore, in a sub analysis of this cohort that looked at Japanese participants, a cutoff of ≥38 displayed an NPV of 100% for ruling out pre-eclampsia within 1 week and a PPV of 32.4% for ruling in within 4 weeks22.
Accurate Identification is Essential
Like all clinical assays, those used to determine the sFLT-1/PlGF ratio are subject to rigorous quality control, essential to ensure accurate results and diagnosis. The complications of pre-eclampsia are severe and often life-threating for both mother and child. Early and accurate identification is imperative for optimal monitoring, management, and timely interventions to reduce the risk of the grave consequences associated with pre-eclampsia.
The utility of the sFLT-1/PlGF ratio has been shown over various large cohorts and provides improved identification when used in combination with established clinical definitions. While the enigma of pre-eclampsia persists, the dedication of the scientific community to unravel its complexities ensures a future where expectant mothers may benefit from more effective and tailored strategies to mitigate the risks associated with this puzzling condition. Continued research endeavours will undoubtedly shape the landscape of maternal-foetal medicine, fostering advancements that hold the promise of improved outcomes for both mothers and their unborn children.
At Randox Quality Control, we’ve introduced our Pre-eclampsia Control to the Acusera IQC range for use with in vitro diagnostic assays for the quantitative determination of PlGF and sFlt-1 in human serum and plasma.
Our true third-party Pre-eclampsia control comes with clinically relevant, assayed target values, is liquid-frozen for user convenience, utilises a human-based, commutable matrix, and has a 30-day open vial stability.
For more information on this, or any of our other controls, browse our brochure, or reach out to us today at marketing@randox.com for more information.
References
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Task Force on Hypertension in Pregnancy. Hypertension in Pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2013;122(5):1122-1131. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000437382.03963.88
- Poon LC, Shennan A, Hyett JA, et al. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) initiative on pre‐eclampsia: A pragmatic guide for first‐trimester screening and prevention. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2019;145(S1):1-33. doi:10.1002/ijgo.12802
- Karrar SA, Hong PL. Preeclampsia. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
- Jikamo B, Adefris M, Azale T, Alemu K. Incidence, trends and risk factors of preeclampsia in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PAMJ – One Health. 2023;11. doi:10.11604/pamj-oh.2023.11.1.39297
- Rana S, Lemoine E, Granger JP, Karumanchi SA. Preeclampsia. Circ Res. 2019;124(7):1094-1112. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313276
- Dimitriadis E, Rolnik DL, Zhou W, et al. Pre-eclampsia. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2023;9(1):8. doi:10.1038/s41572-023-00417-6
- NHS. Pre-eclampsia. Health A to Z. Published September 28, 2021. Accessed January 3, 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-eclampsia/complications/
- Magley M, Hinson MR. Eclampsia. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
- Crovetto F, Somigliana E, Peguero A, Figueras F. Stroke during pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2013;25(6):425-432. doi:10.1097/GCO.0000000000000024
- Costello RA, Nehring SM. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
- Kawachi H, Fukusumi Y. New insight into podocyte slit diaphragm, a therapeutic target of proteinuria. Clin Exp Nephrol. 2020;24(3):193-204. doi:10.1007/s10157-020-01854-3
- Trimarchi H. Mechanisms of Podocyte Detachment, Podocyturia, and Risk of Progression of Glomerulopathies. Kidney Dis (Basel). 2020;6(5):324-329. doi:10.1159/000507997
- Turbeville HR, Sasser JM. Preeclampsia beyond pregnancy: long-term consequences for mother and child. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology. 2020;318(6):F1315-F1326. doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00071.2020
- Harmon QE, Huang L, Umbach DM, et al. Risk of Fetal Death With Preeclampsia. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2015;125(3):628-635. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000000696
- Backes CH, Markham K, Moorehead P, Cordero L, Nankervis CA, Giannone PJ. Maternal Preeclampsia and Neonatal Outcomes. J Pregnancy. 2011;2011:1-7. doi:10.1155/2011/214365
- Verlohren S, Galindo A, Schlembach D, et al. An automated method for the determination of the sFlt-1/PIGF ratio in the assessment of preeclampsia. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010;202(2):161.e1-161.e11. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2009.09.016
- Zeisler H, Llurba E, Chantraine F, et al. Predictive Value of the sFlt-1:PlGF Ratio in Women with Suspected Preeclampsia. New England Journal of Medicine. 2016;374(1):13-22. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1414838
- Bian X, Biswas A, Huang X, et al. Short-Term Prediction of Adverse Outcomes Using the sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1)/PlGF (Placental Growth Factor) Ratio in Asian Women With Suspected Preeclampsia. Hypertension. 2019;74(1):164-172. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.12760
- Hughes RCE, Phillips I, Florkowski CM, Gullam J. The predictive value of the sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio in suspected preeclampsia in a New Zealand population: A prospective cohort study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2023;63(1):34-41. doi:10.1111/ajo.13549
- Nikuei P, Rajaei M, Roozbeh N, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of sFlt1/PlGF ratio as a marker for preeclampsia. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020;20(1):80. doi:10.1186/s12884-020-2744-2
- Verlohren S, Brennecke SP, Galindo A, et al. Clinical interpretation and implementation of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in the prediction, diagnosis and management of preeclampsia. Pregnancy Hypertens. 2022;27:42-50. doi:10.1016/j.preghy.2021.12.003
- Ohkuchi A, Saito S, Yamamoto T, et al. Short-term prediction of preeclampsia using the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio: a subanalysis of pregnant Japanese women from the PROGNOSIS Asia study. Hypertension Research. 2021;44(7):813-821. doi:10.1038/s41440-021-00629-x
Meeting Accreditation Guidelines with Acusera 24.7
At Randox Quality Control, we are never finished shouting about how great our interlaboratory comparison and peer group reporting software is. If you’ve had a look yourself, you’ll know exactly why. Acusera 24.7 is full of fetching, interactive charts, and useful, detailed reports, including measurement uncertainty, to help you streamline your QC procedure.
But Acusera 24.7 is so much more than this. Our team are constantly looking for innovative ways to update and improve our live, cloud-based software. Much of this comes from talking to our subscribers and finding out what they want and how they want to do it. Our team also happens to include some serious accreditation enthusiasts. So, we decided to put their passion to work. We’re regularly coming up with new measures to make meeting the guidelines set out by various accreditation bodies, including ISO15189, as simple for you as we can.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the accreditation requirements and the features we’ve included in Acusera 24.7 to simplify the process for you.
QC management tools
Its one thing to look at the features of Acusera 24.7, but what do the various guidelines have to say about QC management tools? Let’s look at some of the major accreditation literature.
ISO15189:2022
The new version of ISO15189 includes updates which aim to place more emphasis on risk management and mitigating risk to the patient. Here’s what the 2022 version has to say about QC management tools:
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments 1988 (CLIA)
CLIA ’88 regulations are federal standards applicable to all U.S. facilities or sites that test human specimens for health assessment or to diagnose, prevent, or treat disease. These regulations state the following related to QC management:
COLA Accreditation
The Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA) is another recognised laboratory accreditation in the U.S. and is a third-party accreditation organisation that ensures laboratories comply with federal regulations, including those set by CLIA. I’m sure you’re catching the trend here:
Meeting accreditation with Acusera 24.7
Acusera 24.7 offers a flexible approach to help laboratories meet all the QC accreditation requirements detailed above, including CLIA, COLA, CAP, and ISO15189.
Our user-friendly, cloud-based software allows users to effortless run statistical analysis including Coefficient of Variation Index (CVI), Standard Deviation Index (SDI), % Bias, Total Error, Sigma Metrics and more! Find out more about how we can aid you in your statistical analysis in our blog, Advanced Statistics with Acusera 24.7.
Acusera 24.7 can also create fully interactive Levey-Jennings charts, and a selection of histograms to provide a wide range of options for the graphical representation of your data. The interactive features of our charts allow you to record events such as lot changes and calibration events directly on to the chart, helping you achieve not just accreditation, but a better understanding of what is going on in your laboratory. You can read more about our charts and the insights you can gain from them at our blog, Charting the course to laboratory excellence.
Acusera 24.7 can also provide you with a variety of reports to help you effortlessly achieve accreditation. From our Statistical Analysis and Exception reports to our Personalised Performance Summary Reports, we can help your laboratory to efficiently identify and document trends or shifts in performance. You can read all about our reports in our blog, Effortless Data Management: Acusera 24.7 Reports.
Measurement Uncertainty
Anyone involved in laboratory quality control will be aware of measurement uncertainty (MU), although that doesn’t mean everyone understands this tricky requirement. MU is defined as a parameter associated with the result of a measurement that characterises the dispersion of values that could reasonably be attributed to the measured quantity.
In other words, MU provides medical laboratories with an estimate of the overall variability in the values they report. The goal of MU is to quantify the doubt or range of possible values around the measurement result, helping to provide an understanding of the reliability and limitations of measurements. This helps ensure measured results are useful and not wildly inaccurate, allows meaningful comparisons with medical decision limits and previous results of the same kind in the same individual and finally, it’s a requirement of ISO15189:2022:
Calculating MU is no simple task and not one that can even be attempted without in depth know-how. These calculations can take a single member of staff 2 full working days to complete. That’s a lot of time away from their normal duties, especially if MU is to be reviewed regularly, as per ISO15189:2022.
Lucky for you, Acusera 24.7 can calculate you MU in seconds, rather than days, and provide you with a report. This report can be shown to your accreditation surveyor, and you can consider the MU box ticked. You can read more about Acusera 24.7 and MU in our Advanced Statistics blog, or in our educational guide How to Measure Uncertainty.
Peer Group Reporting
The peer group reporting features of Acusera 24.7 are much more than just an added extra. Peer group reporting can help speed up the troubleshooting process, allowing you to determine whether an issue you are seeing is unique to you, or evident in the QC data of your peers. It can also provide you with more confidence in assigned target values and help make significant savings by improving your analytical performance, and therefore, your EQA performance.
A peer group reporting programme can also help meet regulatory requirements, like ISO15189:2022:
So, if you’re struggling to find a suitable EQA programme for your analytes, you might just be able to meet your accreditation with the peer group reporting features included in Acusera 24.7.
We’ve only begun to cover the features of this intuitive and efficient software. If you still aren’t convinced that Acusera 24.7 is right for QC data management in your laboratory, reach out to us today at marketing@randox.com. We’re always delighted to hear from you, and we’ll be happy to discuss any of the features of Acusera 24.7, or any reservations you may have.
Our customers can’t believe the gulf in class between Acusera 24.7 and other QC data management programmes.
Don’t get left behind.
Reach out to us today!
UKAS ISO15189:2022 Transition Update
Throughout 2023, UKAS have been hard at work training Assessment Managers and Technical Assessors on the new requirements of the updated ISO15189 guidelines, sharing information about the updated standard and developing the UKAS 15189:2022 Transition Hub providing a one-stop-shop for information on the ISO15189:2022 update.
Recently, UKAS have published a Transition update to remind laboratories of where they stand in seeking their updated accreditation. In this update, UKAS state “As per the UKAS transition plan, all assessments due to take place from the 1st January 2024 will be to ISO15189:2022.”
A gap analysis will be required one month prior to transition assessments, detailing the gaps and the actions which have been taken to remedy these gaps. This should include evidence, such as updated documents and records, embedded in the gap analysis document, showing what action has been taken to bring a laboratory’s practices in line with the updated standard.
An important note included in this transition update is , “UKAS cannot grant accreditation on intent; organisations shall make the necessary changes and have implemented these prior to the transition assessment.” So if your accreditation assessment is due soon, you might want to make use of our ISO15189:2022 Accreditation Guide to assist you in your gap analysis to ensure you don’t miss out.
This is crucial for laboratories because failure to align with the 2022 version of the standard before the deadline of 6th December 2025 will result in a suspension of ISO15189 accreditation for up to 6 months.
Some of the key accreditation updates include:
You can find more information to assist in your gap analysis and achieving ISO15189:2022 accreditation our ISO15189:2022 Accreditation Guide – a free PDF is available below.
Randox Quality Control’s Acusera range provides true third part quality controls designed to help you achieve all aspects of ISO15189:2022 accreditation including commutable matrices containing consistent, clinically relevant concentrations with unrivalled consolidation of analytes. To learn more about our range of quality control products, visit our website or, get in touch today at marketing@randox.com
Advanced Statistics with Acusera 24.7
The only thing that sounds more terrifying than statistics, is advanced statistics. For many of us, the dread associated with having to carry out complex calculations can be too much to bear. For others, statistics are not just a set of numbers; they’re a captivating puzzle waiting to be solved. The allure of dissecting intricate patterns, unravelling hidden relationships, and drawing meaningful conclusions makes these statistical enthusiasts embrace the challenges of advanced statistics with excitement rather than apprehension.
No matter which camp you’re in, we bet you’re going to love the advanced statistics features included in Acusera 24.7. From Uncertainty of Measurement to Sigma Metrics, we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore these features and how we can make your statistical analysis easier than ever before.
Measurement Uncertainty
If you’re involved in laboratory quality control, you’ll have heard all about measurement uncertainty (MU). To some it’s intuitive. To some it’s a labyrinth. MU is defined as a parameter associated with the result of a measurement that characterises the dispersion of values that could reasonably be attributed to the measured quantity. For example, if we say the pencil below measures 16cm ± 1cm, at the 95% confidence level we are really saying that we are 95% sure that the pencil measures between 15cm and 17cm.
In other words, the calculation of MU gives medical laboratories an estimate of the overall variability in the values they report. This is important for 3 reasons:
- It helps ensure the measured results are useful and not wildly inaccurate.
- It permits meaningful comparison of medical decision limits and previous results of the same kind in the same individual.
- It’s a regulatory requirement – ISO 15189:2022
All measurements involve some degree of inherent variability due to factors such as instrument limitations, environmental conditions, and biological variation. MU aims to quantify the doubt or range of possible values around the measurement result, helping to provide an understanding of the reliability and limitations of measurements. To complete this task comprehensively, the entire measurement process must be examined and should consider components such as systematic errors, random errors and uncertainties related to calibration, equipment, and the environment.
ISO 15189:2022 states:
So, if you are seeking ISO15189 accreditation, there’s no avoiding MU and advanced statistics. Lucky for you, Acusera 24.7 can calculate MU and provide you with a report which you can export to Excel or PDF for auditing or archiving.
By liberating you from the need to manually calculate MU for all your assays and control levels, Acusera 24.7 streamlines the statistical analysis process, freeing you up to complete your other essential duties. It also helps reduce the chance of errors in the calculation; after all, no matter how talented you are at mathematics, we all make mistakes. The real-time nature of this kind of monitoring means you don’t have to recalculate every time you get more data – simply press the refresh button and you’ll automatically get a new MU report.
By incorporating automated tools to calculate MU, you gain the ability to proactively pinpoint and rectify potential error sources, mitigating the risk of inaccurate measurements and the repercussions that may follow.
For more information on MU and how it’s calculated, see our education guide – How to Measure Uncertainty.
Sigma Metrics
The Sigma model was originally developed for the manufacturing industry as a method of process improvement focusing on minimising errors in process outputs. It has since been adopted by the medical laboratory to improve result reporting.
This model calculates the number of standard deviations or ‘Sigmas’ that fit within the quality specifications of the process – as the sources of error or variation are removed, the standard deviation becomes smaller, and the sigma score increases – 6 being the target. A 6 Sigma process can be expected to produce 3.4 defects, or false results, per million.
Using your predetermined performance limits, including biological variation (standard), RiliBÄK and CLIA, as the total allowable error (TEa), Acusera 24.7 can calculate a Sigma Score for a particular assay, method, or instrument, saving you the hassle of calculating this manually – freeing you up to investigate the sources of error and make improvements to your process.
This is displayed in our Statistical Metrics report along with Count, Bias%, and CV for your chosen range, your cumulative results and those from other Acusera 24.7 users from around the world to provide straightforward and comprehensive statistical analysis and peer group comparison.
Once you’ve found out your Sigma Score for an assay, you can use this to determine your QC frequency and the multi-rules you should apply to your QC. The higher your Sigma Score, the less multi-rules you need to apply to your analysis and the less often you need to run QC for that assay. The table below shows the multi-rules and QC frequencies associated with each Sigma Score.
Acusera 24.7 includes multi-rule capabilities that can be utilised to monitor your QC data and index it as accepted, rejected, or trigger an alert, depending on the pre-defined multi-rules against which you want to check your data. These features enable the identification of nonconformities and reduce the need for laborious manual statistical analysis while enhancing the accuracy and precision of the laboratory. To read more about the multi-rule features of Acusera 24.7, take a look at our educational guide – Understanding QC Multi-rules.
Now that we’ve found which of our assays are underperforming, we can begin to take corrective action. The Sigma Score is affected by bias and imprecision of laboratory results, therefore improving these values will increase the Sigma Score. Some of the steps a laboratory can take are:
- Improved staff training
- Instrument maintenance
- Frequent calibration
- Strict adherence to SOPs when preparing controls and calibrators.
If you are still in the dark ages, carrying out your statistical calculations and analysis manually, reach out to us today to learn more about the time and expense we can help you save. Every day, more people are discovering the power of Acusera 24.7 and the benefits it has in their laboratory.
The updates to ISO151589:2022 are based around increasing patient safety and reducing erroneous results, making advanced statistics essential. Assessors get excited when they see Acusera 24.7 in the lab because they know quitting time is that bit closer. Allow us to help you achieve your accreditation and provide the best possible patient care. With complete onboarding assistance and first-class customer support, you’ll always be ready to get to the bottom of any problems you might face. Get in touch today at marketing@randox.com
