ARAB MEDLAB CONFERENCE - Beirut Lebanon - October 1-3 2009
Contributed by Ms Samar Sadeddin, Laboratory Directorate, Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan
Different topics were covered during the Arab MedLab Conference, including clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, transfusion science, molecular biology, and quality assurance. Although numerous lectures were presented in French, simultaneous translation was available for all lectures (French«English). Most of the lectures focused on laboratory diagnosis and new added values in laboratory science. Some examples of presentations follow.
Dr. Corinne Liesnard, the 1st lecturer in the field of virology presented on the influenza epidemics & pandemics. She also presented on CMV, HIV, RUBELLA, HSV, VZV Varicella zoster and hepatitis B prenatal congenital viral infections that have dangerous and even fatal sequels on the fetus. The 2nd lecture was on the origin of HIV, history& cross species transmission.
Dr. Hector Rodriguez highlighted the importance of testing for the presence of ESBL enzymes (>35 different enzymes) amongst all Enterobacteriaceae and emphasizing the role of the laboratory in reporting these enzymes. He also introduced the Carbapenem resistance that is a worldwide growing problem, which can be solved only with the aid of competent laboratories that have well developed quality control programs.
Dr. Madonna Matar emphasized the role of the medical laboratory by presenting a study which objective was to assess the clinical findings of patients with Brucellosis. Bone marrow culture was the most sensitive and specific diagnostic tool. Surprisingly, a case for a woman with joint aches, with no other clinical presentation relevant to brucellosis, showed positive culture for Brucella when her synovial fluid was cultured, although her other results were negative.
A group of Sudanese scientists reported a study on the role of HLA Class II antigens in the protection/susceptibility to visceral Leishmaniasis, a problem in Sudan, affecting young people. They used PCR-SBT sequencing as the typing technique for the HLA-Class II alleles, a technique considered non-conventional for such testing.
In the clinical chemistry field, Dr.Peter Bialk discussed the merits of the new high sensitive Troponin T assay by Roche, an important marker for myocardial infarction that, through its apparent sensitivity and specificity, could be an added value as a marker for myocardial infarct and replace other frequently ordered tests such as CK and CK-MB.
Dr.Mohamed Zakaria also presented an interesting lecture on asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an upcoming marker for cardiovascular disease that has proven its utility in a research context but that has not yet translated into a diagnostic test. The use of oxidative stress markers in the elucidation of the pathophysiology of many diseases has also been covered in more than one lecture.
In the second day of the conference, most of lectures concentrated on genetics and molecular biology topics. Different genetic diseases (common & rare) e.g. G6PD deficiency, PKU, FMF, Thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, all proven to be present in the Lebanese and Middle-East population. Once more, the speakers underlined that an efficient support laboratory to the diagnosis coupled to genetic advices could lead to reduction of budgets through a decrease in morbidity caused by these diseases. Prof. Jean-Francois Schved made an excellent historical review of different diseases that affected the talents and the professional lives of scientists, painters and artists.
In terms of general interest, several well-attended lectures focused on the importance of implementing quality assurance programs in medical laboratories. The experience of applying the criteria of ISO 15189 in laboratories of the Ministry of Health in Lebanon was given.
The conference also counted on several workshops, some industry-sponsored, on diverse technologies such as flow cytometry, new chemistry auto-analyzer and diagnostic value of bone markers, new trends in diagnosing Hepatitis C by testing for the HCV antigens.
The many industrial exhibits were well attended and allowed to see the new technology in the various fields of laboratory medicine.
Edited by Edgard Delvin PhD, FCACB, FACB
Editor
