Answers from the Lab

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt discuss challenges and opportunities for the laboratory industry when it comes to regulatory oversight.

(:52)Would you mind starting off with telling us a little bit about yourself and your background?(1:29)Can you help us understand how knowing urinary ammonium levels help you manage your patients on a day-to-day basis?(2:58)Can you help the audience understand the evolution of laboratory tests used to determine urinary ammonium levels and why nephrologists are now recommending using tests that directly measure urinary ammonium instead of the widely accepted urinary ammonium gap estimate?(6:17)Can you share a little more information about the tests that we have available and how, and when they should be used in clinical practice?(7:57)Finally, what advice do you have for nephrologists that be converting from urine anine gap to direct ammonium testing?

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt discuss the new plan announced this week by the White House to combat COVID-19 going forward.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt review the CDC’s new masking guidelines, and discuss how those changes reflect the status of the COVID-19 pandemic overall.

(00:32) Thank you for ending your introduction, Dr. Pritt. Today, we will be discussing extended spectrum beta lactamase testing at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. But before we get started, Dr. Schuetz, could you provide our listeners with a little bit about you and your background? (01:08) Thank you for sharing your background with us. Can you provide a brief overview of this testing? (03:27) Thank you, Dr. Schuetz for this overview. Could you describe which patients should have this testing, and when should it be performed? (05:22) This is extremely helpful; especially the ability of the testing to be utilized with investigational new drug applications. So, I got two questions for you. Could you elaborate a bit further on how this testing improves upon previous testing approaches, and are there other options on the market? If so, what makes our testing different or unique? (06:46) I appreciate your explanation of those differences. As we conclude our interview here, could you describe for us again, the clinical action that is enabled by the results of this test via traditional patient setting or in an investigational protocol that might be underway?

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, hosts this week’s "Answers From the Lab" podcast. In this episode, Dr. Morice is joined by David McClintock, M.D., a Mayo Clinic pathologist who specializes in computational pathology and AI, to discuss how informatics is enhancing and changing the practice of laboratory medicine.

(0:32):Before we get started, Dr. McKeon, could you please tell our listeners a little bit about yourself and your background? (01:13) How long have you been with the lab? (01:37) Could you describe which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed? (01:50) Can you tell us a little bit about this unique assay that has not only glycine receptor but also other antibody tests? (03:12) We offer this evaluation in both serum and CSF. Can you offer any guidance about when one is more appropriate than the other?(04:37) Four different antibodies are included in the stiff-person assay. Why is it most appropriate to evaluate all four? And why is this assay separate from our movement disorder evaluation that includes 20 different antibodies?(06:19) Is it important to include all relevant antibodies — but not those would lead physicians down a confusing path?(07:50) Can you give our listeners a couple examples of patient presentations that might lead a physician to order this evaluation, and a couple examples where it wouldn't be appropriate?(09:59) Can you give a couple examples of when a broader movement disorder evaluation would be appropriate?(11:11) How does this new stiff-person evaluation improve upon previous approaches? What will this new test offer to physicians?(12:35) What does a positive or negative stiff-person evaluation result mean for a patient's care?(13:25) How do alanine receptor positivity and immune responsiveness affect a patient's prognosis?(13:58) Can tests other than this offering from Mayo Clinic Laboratories give physicians the same answers?(14:44)What is the key takeaway about this test?

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt consider how COVID-19 precautions may shift as the omicron surge ebbs, and how labs will adapt as the pandemic continues to change.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt discuss the importance of properly interpretating lab test results, and they review the crucial difference between screening tests and diagnostic tests.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt set the record straight on some common misinformation about COVID-19 that’s been circulating recently.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt look beyond the borders of the United States and discuss the impact COVID-19 is having around the world.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt talk about the increased availability of antigen tests for COVID-19 and review when it’s most appropriate to use an antigen test.

(00:43):Before we get started, Dr. Yao, could you please provide our listeners with a little bit about you and your background? (01:24) Can you provide a brief overview and intended use of this testing? (02:34) Could you describe which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed? (05:07) Are there other options on the market? And if so, what makes our testing unique?(06:38) How are the test results used in patient care?

On this week’s episode of the "Answers From the Lab" podcast, Bobbi Pritt, M.D., is joined by Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Clinical Microbiology. Dr. Pritt and Dr. Binnicker discuss the current state of laboratory testing for COVID-19 amid the omicron surge, as well the status of testing for other common respiratory viruses, including influenza.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt discuss the current surge in COVID-19 cases that’s being fueled by the omicron variant, and what it could mean for the pandemic as we move into 2022.

This week on the podcast, William Morice, M.D., Ph.D., chair of Mayo Clinic’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, joins "Answers From the Lab" with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. This episode reflects on how far we have come during the COVID-19 pandemic from creating tests to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus to developing vaccines and therapeutics to combat serious illness.

(00:32):Before we get started, Dr. Dubey, could you just tell us a little about your role in the lab? (01:33):Just in case our audience missed it, you're seeing patients Dr. Dubey, right, and spending considerable time in the lab. So really bench to bedside? (02:11):Can you just remind the audience what this test is meant to do?(04:54):Can you just elaborate on that a little bit and why we think it's not appropriate to search for a catch all type of evaluation?(07:47):What are the red flags that would point to this axonal evaluation being appropriate as a next step?(11:01):If we order based on axonal or demyelinating, we don't have to compliment that testing with another motor sensory panel is, am I understanding that correctly?(13:41):Can you speak to what is still remaining to round out our neuropathy menu? Eventually we'll have a comprehensive evaluation in those cases where the EMG results are also a little unclear, right?(15:30):Do you think that physicians can replace Pavel with the axonal evaluation in every case, or are there still sometimes when Pavel or the paraneoplastic evaluation that we've historically offered is more appropriate?(16:48):Can you speak to how axonal has taken a lot of the same antibodies, but improved the testing based upon methodology and specificity? What are some of the key changes that we made for axonal?(20:03):What are you most excited about and what do you want physicians to take away with the promotion of this axonal auto-immune evaluation?

This week on the podcast, Brad Karon, M.D., Ph.D., chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Clinical Core Laboratory Services, joins "Answers From the Lab" with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. and William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D. This episode focuses on at-home testing for COVID-19, including the types of tests that are available, when they should be used, and how well they work.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt review steps we can take to keep ourselves and the people around us safe as we celebrate the holidays together.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. This week, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt step back and look at where the COVID-19 pandemic stands now, and they consider the potential effects that the omicron variant, expanded testing availability, and the upcoming holidays all could have.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. As the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 gains attention and generates concern, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt discuss what’s being done to learn more about this new variant and the effects it could have on the fight against COVID-19.

(00:32):Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background? What is the role of a genetic counselor in the Genomics Laboratory?(01:59):The Genomics Laboratory performs a lot of different genetic tests. What is your area of focus?(03:00):Give a brief overview of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.(05:44):Which patients should have this testing, and when should it be performed?(06:35):Can you tell us a bit about what sets MCL’s CYP21A2 offering apart from other labs?(08:18):What are some examples of external results that you have helped resolve?(10:51):Do you get calls asking for help interpreting CYP21A2 test results?

This week on "Answers From the Lab," Shannon Bennett, director of Regulatory Affairs for Mayo Clinic’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, joins William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., and Bobbi Pritt, M.D., to discuss tests that are developed by individual laboratories, rather than commercial manufacturers, and how upcoming regulation may affect those tests.

(00:32):But before we get started, Dr. Shen, could you provide us with a little bit about you and your background?(01:15):So why don't we start our discussion today with having you give us a brief overview of these new hereditary oncology panels.(03:56):Can you tell us which patients should have this type of testing and when it should be performed?(05:31):Do you want to talk about what other test options are available and how our testing is different or how it compares to this other testing?(06:51):So then the last question I have for you today, and maybe the most important is how are these results used in patient care?

This week on the podcast, Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of Mayo Clinic’s Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory, joins "Answers From the Lab" with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Pritt and Dr. Theel discuss antibody testing for COVID-19, including why this testing is done and when it’s most useful.

(00:32):Today, we will be discussing staphylococcal testing at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. Before we start, Dr. Schuetz, could you please provide our listeners with a little bit about you and your background? (01:02):As we get started on this initiative, can you provide a brief overview of this testing and its intended use? (02:36):Could you describe for us which patients should have this testing and when it should be performed — including how this new testing improves upon previous testing approaches? (04:47):What makes our testing unique? (05:45):How are the results from this PCR testing used in patient care?

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt discuss the state of COVID-19 now, along with factors that could influence how the pandemic plays out from here.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. As cases of COVID-19 fall in some areas of the country and rise in others, Dr. Morice and Dr. Pritt review where the pandemic stands, and emphasize that now is not the time to let our guard down.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Morice talks about his participation in President Biden’s Global COVID-19 Summit and discusses the toll the pandemic has taken on countries around the world.

(00:32):Before we get into the test itself, Dr. Mills, I'd love for you to tell our audience just a little bit about yourself, your background, your role here at Mayo clinic. (01:41):Can you just give our audience a brief overview of the assay? (05:20):I really appreciate how the lab has looked at other approaches and decided that this is the best one. Is that an accurate kind of summary. (06:16):They'll get the result that they need with just one test, right? (07:03):So can you start with helping our physicians understand which patients should get this testing? (09:05):You said these immune mediated neuropathies, this test is going to be important for all of those to help, to identify the distinct phenotype of neurofascin155, right, Dr. Mills? (09:43):I know you mentioned that these are rare disorders, but how common is the neurofascin antibody in that phenotype? (11:27):Dr. Mills, are there any other alternative options regarding this kind of testing? (13:30):How is the positive or negative result going to drive the physician in a certain direction regarding prognosis or treatment? Can you share some of that? (14:48):Do you think there are any prerequisites that physicians should be testing for these particular things before they would order our neurofascin test or does the neurofascin come pretty early on in the differential? (15:36):Can you elaborate a little more on the next steps? What does a more aggressive treatment plan? What does that mean? (16:09):We've talked about a lot of the important items, the assay and how it's designed, how this is going to help patient care and how it's unique, but what's your key takeaway here? What are you most excited about?

This week on "Answers From the Lab,” William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined for his weekly leadership update by Jason Hipp, M.D., Ph.D., chair of Mayo Clinic’s new Division of Computational Pathology and AI, to discuss how artificial intelligence and other forms of clinical informatics have the potential to transform laboratory medicine and pathology.

(00:32):Before we get started, Dr. Hasadsri, could you provide us with a little bit about you and your background?(02:43):Can you differentiate a little bit between what we offer from a molecular standpoint, but what we offer from a biochemical genetic standpoint in terms of mitochondrial testing?(06:25):When you would utilize this mitochondrial testing and what kind of patient treatment is this kind of testing guide? How is this utilized in terms of the way the patient is treated?(09:10):How does the testing that Mayo clinic lab offers in terms of mitochondrial differ from what other labs are offering right now in the same area?(13:33):Is there anything you can think of that you would want to add to all of this or anything you think that we we've left out? I think you've been very comprehensive, but I just wanted to end with that and just see if there was anything else that you wanted to say? Resources GDF15 | Growth Differentiation Factor 15, PlasmaOAU | Organic Acids Screen, UrineAAQP | Amino Acids, Quantitative, PlasmaTQ10 | Celiac Disease Serology Cascade, SerumFAPM | Fatty Acid Profile, Mitochondrial (C8-C18), SerumPYR/PYRC | CPyruvic Acid, Blood/ Pyruvate, Spinal FluidPDHC | Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDHC), FibroblastsMITOP | Mitochondrial Full Genome Analysis by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), VariesMITON | Mitochondrial Nuclear Gene Panel by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), VariesMITOT | Combined Mitochondrial Analysis, Mitochondrial Full Genome and Nuclear Gene Panel, Varies

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Bobbi Pritt, M.D., talk about the potential for a fall uptick in respiratory viruses, such as the flu and RSV, and explain the protection that an influenza vaccine can offer.

(00:32) Thanks for that introduction, Dr. Pritt. Today, we're actually going to be discussing T-cell lymphomas with Dr. Andrew Feldman. But before we really get started talking about this disease state, Dr. Feldman, could you provide us with a little bit of background about you and your role here at Mayo Clinic?(01:10) So at your work at Mayo clinic, you’re involved in the clinical side and that you're reading all of these patient cases as a meta-pathologist, but you also have a research focus as well. Is that specific to T-cell lymphomas? (01:38) That's interesting. That gives you a very unique perspective being that you're involved kind of in both sides of that. So as we talk about T-cell lymphoma, can you just give myself and our listeners kind of a brief overview of this disease state? (03:48) So, Dr. Feldman, I find it really interesting as you, you kind of talk about this disease state. I didn't realize there were 30 subtypes of T-cell lymphoma. I mean, that does definitely add to the complexity of this. So can you talk to me really about what are the different tests and assays that you use to sub classify into those 30 types and give our patients an accurate diagnosis? (06:19) This never ceases to amaze me about the amount of pathology and hematology and hematologic malignancies in general. There's no one test that answers the questions that we have for these patients. You kind of have to work your way down, putting all of these different pieces together. And I always think about it like a puzzle. So as you're going through and in answering these questions and you put this puzzle together for each patient, when should patients be having this testing performed? Do we do it at diagnosis? Are we following these patients? Kind of talk to me about that process as the patient comes in to see their oncologist for these diseases. (07:39) So Dr. Feldman, it's interesting that you talked about all of these tests that we perform to try to accurately diagnose these patients and that we're using them to give the clinician all of those answers that they need to treat their patients. As we come up with that final diagnosis and we give the clinician their answer, how are those results being used in patient care? I've seen a lot of movement in the marketplace lately with new therapies, new gene findings. What are those answers that we're giving those clinicians doing for those patients in the long run? (11:10) Just so interesting to me, all the complexities of this and the nuances that go into making sure that that patient gets put on the right therapy that is actually beneficial for them and not harmful in some cases. So last question, just because it's kind of a hot topic right now in the oncology world in general. So, are we monitoring these types of lymphoma patients right now for any sort of minimal residual disease or what kind of monitoring happens for these patients during the course of therapy, (12:08) Oh, that's very interesting. And I look forward to that, especially hearing you talk about how some of these therapies are being very successful for these patients. It'll be good to see what does that progression-free survival look like and what does that patient quality of life right after they've gone through these therapies. I really enjoy hearing that we're having these increased successes. So one last question for you before I let you go, you've done a lot of research in the T-cell lymphoma space. It's obviously something that's really near and dear to your heart. You also see a lot of consults and our team sees a lot of consults on T-cell lymphomas, just because of our expertise in this area. Just really quickly tell me about all of the work that you've done. What's the one thing that really stands out. She was like, this was that thing that you found or that, that driver of what, what brings you to work every day that you just are really always excited.

Additional Resourceshttps://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-viewhttps://www.whitehouse.gov/covidplan/

(00:31)Dr. Moyer, could you provide us a little bit about you and your background?(01:18) Would you mind sharing just a brief overview of the focus pharmacogenomics panel? (03:32) So coming back to that patient focus, which patients should have this testing? And when do you recommend to be performed? (05:17) Can you talk a little bit about what alternative test options are available and how they compare? (07:58) Can you comment on how the results from this test are used in patient care? (11:55)Any final thoughts you'd leave us with before we wrap up?

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is on the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Bobbi Pritt, M.D., are joined by Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D. The three delve into common myths about the COVID-19 vaccines, and emphasize that the vaccines are effective and safe.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Bobbi Pritt, M.D., explain COVID-19 vaccine boosters: what they are, how they work, and why they may be helpful in fighting the global pandemic.

Nancy Wengenack, Ph.D., director of the Mycology and Microbacteriology Laboratories in Mayo Clinic’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast this week. In this episode, Dr. Wengenack and Bobbi Pritt, M.D., discuss the fungal infection Candida auris.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Bobbi Pritt, M.D., talk about cases of COVID-19 being seen in people who are fully vaccinated and explain why that doesn’t mean the vaccines aren’t working.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Bobbi Pritt, M.D., review where the COVID-19 pandemic stands today and how it may change as we head into the fall.

(00:33) Could you please tell the audience a little bit about yourself and your background before we get to? (01:07) So just as an overview, this new MAG test, can you kind of give us a general idea of the assay, the methodology, and how this could be used clinically? (01:59) Can you maybe expound upon the role of the M protein, how it relates to the MAG antibody and also that unique testing methodology that we use? (03:15) Can you describe how those will present to our listeners and then when it would be appropriate to order this specific test? (03:56) And is the antibody test important or is it pretty clear this DADs phenotype is separate from maybe other types of neuropathies? (05:25)I think the other thing that's exciting is just about how the antibody test can help increase confidence for physicians, right? (05:50)Can you talk to me about how our test is maybe different than how other existing MAG antibody tests that already exist on the market? (07:20)I've also heard you talk about the reference ranges, where, depending on where the cutoffs are, it can increase, I think specificity, is that right, Dr. Mills? (08:30)I've also heard to test for SGPG that oftentimes accompanies MAG, but I noticed that we won't be using that complimentary tests. Can you help our listeners understand why? (09:42)Can you just elaborate again on how this test can impact patient care and maybe shorten that journey? (10:56)So a test result that's positive for MAG, the physician can have a lot of confidence that that's really the underlying etiology? (11:33)Are we seeing it more often that patients are going to test positive for the MAG antibody, and that should lead them to getting this M protein tested for using our MASS fixation technology? (13:14)Now, if a patient is found to be positive for the M protein as well, uh, how does that change the treatment or prognosis for those DADs phenotype patients? (14:09)Dr. Mills, if you could summarize for our physicians this to key takeaway for physicians or patient impact related to this test, what would it be?

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Bobbi Pritt, M.D., talk about what the recent surge in COVID-19 cases means and how we can all do our part to help prevent further spread.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update. In this episode, Dr. Morice andBobbi Pritt, M.D., discuss the rise in cases of COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus delta variant in the U.S., especially in areas with low vaccination rates.

This episode of “Answers from the Lab” features Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Clinical Microbiology, and William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of Mayo’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discussing how to prevent, diagnose, and treat vector-borne diseases — illness you get from blood-feeding anthropods like ticks and mosquitos — that are more common during the summertime.

(00:32):Before we get started, Dr. Hopson, could you please share a little about you and your background with our listeners? (01:16):Thanks again, Dr. Hopson for joining us today. Could you describe for us what the disaccharidase test is? (02:32):Thank you for that great description. For this testing. What specimen is required? (02:58):Can You provide a brief overview and intended use of this testing? (04:16):Could you specifically state how this test helps you and your patients? (06:10):What clinical action is enabled by the results of this test? (06:45):As we conclude our interview, how does this test improve upon previous testing approaches?

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update. In this episode, Dr. Morice and Bobbi Pritt, M.D. discuss a recent report to Congress that outlined potential laboratory fee reimbursement changes, and what that could mean for labs going forward.

(00:32)Dr. Dubey, could you just tell the audience a little bit about yourself and your background?(01:56) No one knows (better) what tests are necessary for these auto-immune patients than our lab directors who are doing really both things, seeing patients and working in the lab, so I think that's a really unique thing we want to highlight, right? (03:11) Can you maybe describe a little bit about that process? Because I think it will help our audience understand what that really means. The integration between the clinic, the research lab and the clinical lab. (05:54) Dr. Dubey, can you just elaborate a little bit more on our methodology and the assay that will be used for this important test? (06:55) And it sounds like this test is just another example of that, where it's something that not everyone can do, but because of our expertise that we're able to provide a test that is as accurate and yet handles the high throughput that Mayo clinic receives? (07:57)Is unique in that Mayo clinic will be the first ones offering this commercially, right? (08:25)So can you help physicians understand which kind of patients would be the right candidates for this type of thing? (09:50)Do you have any recommendations for other testing that should be done for these patients to rule in or out a specific disease? (11:14)Is there any reason that there'd be genetic tests or any other laboratory tests ordered before kelch 11, or are we really just looking for those males with rapid onset attacks, SIA, those, uh, presentation symptoms you described earlier? (13:12)We don't want to delay very long before we order this Kelch-11 antibody tests or any of the other antibodies, right? (14:49)Will it eventually be added into the movement disorder and the encephalopathy and maybe the other phenotypes specifically?(15:27)For the time being physicians will have to order it in addition to the panels, but then eventually it will be included in our comprehensive evaluation? (15:37)When those results come back positive, how is this going to impact patient care, prognosis, and treatment plans for the patient? (17:14)Are you saying Dr. Dubey, that this is probably going to be as prevalent as some of those Hu, Ri, and Yo antibodies that physicians have known about for you? (17:50)Dr. Dubey, is there anything else that you want to leave our physicians with that you're most excited about with this test?

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for his weekly leadership update. In this episode, Dr. Morice andBobbi Pritt, M.D. review where the pandemic stands now, and discuss concerns that continue to linger regarding COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Sanjeev Sethi, M.D., Ph.D., explains Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ newly developed test to detect neural epidermal growth factor-like 1 protein (NELL-1), a biomarker for membranous nephropathy (MN). The immunohistochemistry assay examines tissue samples for NELL-1 antigen, which are found in 10% to 15% of MN patients. Discovered by Dr. Sethi in 2017, NELL-1 is the second most common antigen associated with MN and is correlated with underlying malignancy.