OBJECTIVES This study assessed the validity of a widely-accepted administrative data surveillance methodology for identifying individuals with diabetes relative to three laboratory data reference standard definitions for diabetes. METHODS We used a combination of linked regional data (hospital discharge abstracts and physician data) and laboratory data to test the validity of administrative d...

Clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory diagnostic issues of human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis (HME) were investigated in a retrospective case study conducted at a national reference laboratory (Focus Technologies, formerly MRL Reference Laboratory), and at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, during 1997 and 1998. Standard questionnaires were sent to physicians for eac...

The direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA), is performed in all rabies reference laboratories across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Despite DFA being a critical capacity in the control of rabies, there is not a standardized protocol in the region. We describe the results of the first inter-laboratory proficiency exercise of national rabies laboratories in LAC countries as part of the re...

In order to have reliable reference ranges and to minimize the effects of variables such as the procedure of specimen collection, geographical location, dietary habits, life style and possible errors during the performance of tests, it  is recommended that each medical laboratory establish it's own reference values. Idealy, the reference ranges Should be determined by analysis of specimens from...

Content: 1. Towards Standardized Extraction from Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue 2. Study Comparing Commercially Available HPV Genotyping Assays 3. An Update: HPV LabNet International Collaborative Studies 4. HPV LabNet Regional Reference Laboratory Activities: A Snapshot 5. Meeting Reports/Updates 6. Recent Publications of WHO HPV LabNet work 7. Useful Web Links 8. Contributions for Ne...

abstract objective: homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (homa-ir) is a simple and practical method for estimation of insulin resistance (ir), but a reliable reference interval (ri) of homa-ir is needed to deduce the threshold level to define ir. this ri has been controversial in different populations and even more divergent when considering factors like age, gender and body mass ...

The National Poliovirus Reference Laboratory at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) is responsible for poliovirus testing for Australia and the Pacific Island countries. It is also a regional reference laboratory for the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization. Surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis, a clinical manifestation of poliomyelitis, is coor...