Answers from the Lab

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recently proposed rule that if finalized, would phase out its current enforcement discretion used for laboratory developed tests (LDTs), and regulate all laboratory tests as medical devices regardless of where they are manufactured.

Their discussion includes:

• A brief history of the FDA’s oversight of LDTs and related legislative efforts.
• The notice and comment rulemaking process that will occur over the next 60 days, and how to submit public comments to the FDA.
• How this proposed rule may impact laboratories.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, to discuss the seasonal outlook of respiratory viruses, including influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Specific topics of discussion include:

• What respiratory viruses are currently circulating, and what we might expect in the coming months.
• Different testing methods for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV.
• Updated vaccination options and prevention methods.
• How to verify accurate expiration dates for at-home COVID-19 tests using the FDA website.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss the uptick of COVID-19 cases and the strains of the virus that are currently circulating.

Their discussion includes:

• COVID-19 variants and how their mutations affect transmission.
• Lessons learned throughout the last few years with COVID-19 and immunity.
• Current CDC guidelines for testing and quarantining.
• Immunization and prevention tips that remain relevant.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Nancy Wengenack, Ph.D., director of the Mycology and Mycobacteriology Laboratories at Mayo Clinic, to talk about leprosy and why it’s been in the news recently. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a rare infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• How leprosy is transmitted, detected, diagnosed, and treated.
• Challenges that healthcare professionals face in identifying leprosy.
• Debunking leprosy myths.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of the Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic. They talk about murine typhus, also known as flea-borne typhus, and the recent increase in cases in Los Angeles County and Texas.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• How flea-borne typhus is transmitted to humans and common symptoms.
• How the disease is diagnosed, treated, and prevented.
• Typhus testing available through Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., director of the Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Lab, Clinical Mass Spectrometry Lab, and Metals Lab at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Pritt and Dr. Jannetto discuss the current state of the opioid crisis in the United States, its impact on public health, and the important role of laboratory testing in addiction medicine and pain management patients.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• The roles that testing and screening programs play in identifying opioid addiction and facilitating treatment planning. 
• Different controlled substance monitoring profiles and addiction rehabilitation monitoring profiles offered at Mayo Clinic Laboratories.
• Barriers in implementing effective testing strategies within communities heavily impacted by the opioid crisis.
• The importance of education and consultation in helping physicians support their patients.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss pathogens commonly found in the summertime that can cause disease and illness, and how to protect against them.

Their discussion includes:

• Mosquito-borne and tick-borne diseases, their symptoms, and how to prevent bites.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) online search tool to help individuals find an effective bug repellent. 
• Foodborne illness that can occur when dining out or picnicking, and tips on how to dine safely. 
• General summertime safety reminders and what to expect in the transition to fall.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss the role that a strong public health lab and diagnostic testing capabilities play in preventing widespread infectious disease outbreaks.

Their discussion includes:

• The reemergence of infectious diseases that were prevalent years ago in the United States, and the role of the laboratory in addressing these modern-day outbreaks.
• How the introduction of pathogens from other countries and novel pathogens emphasizes the need for globally coordinated preparedness.
• Why a strong partnership between laboratory professionals and patient-facing clinicians is critical to combatting outbreaks and rare diseases.
• How advocating on behalf of clinical laboratories also benefits patients and public health.

Patients with elevated LDL or "bad" cholesterol face even greater risk if their levels of small dense LDL cholesterol are also high. Vlad Vasile, M.D., Ph.D., and Leslie Donato, Ph.D., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' sdLDL-c assay measures concentrations of the small dense LDL subtype, to better guide clinical care.

(00:32)
 Could you both tell us a little about yourselves and your backgrounds?

(01:24)
 Could you tell us a little bit about small dense LDL cholesterol and why it is an important marker for helping a physician understand a patient's risk for coronary heart disease?

(03:22)
 Could you describe the types of patients who could benefit from having a better understanding of their sdLDL-c levels?

(04:36)
 Could you help us understand other tests or methodologies that are currently used to assess cardiovascular risk?

(06:13)
 Could you describe Mayo Clinic's new assay for sdLDL-c cholesterol and how it will benefit physicians managing CVD patients?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss Dr. Pritt’s recent trip to Uganda where she taught a global health course as part of a Mayo Clinic-sponsored initiative to help expand knowledge around the world in global health and tropical medicine.

Their discussion includes:

• Dr. Pritt’s experience in Uganda teaching diverse, hands-on laboratory skills to international healthcare professionals.
• Benefits of increasing knowledge of global health and practicing medicine in a resource-limited tropical setting.
• How access to diagnostics is driving disparities of care within the United States and across the world.