Answers from the Lab

(00:32) Before we get started, Dr. Willrich, can you give us a quick introduction of yourself and your role here at Mayo Clinic?

(01:13) Can you give us a little bit of background about what kappa free light chain testing is and the importance of the multiple sclerosis test?

(05:01) Can you give us a brief discussion about what this publication means and what it means to patients and physicians as a whole?

(06:12) So when it comes to these methods, what should you tell physicians? You know, why we should use kappa free light chains other than those other methods?

(08:39) When it comes to this new approach, can you tell me about how does this really impact the patients? 

(10:18) Thanks so much for that information, Dr. Willrich , can you tell me, what does this mean for the patients?

(12:08) With you being one of the authors for this publication, can you tell me what this publication means to you and what it should mean to everyone else?

(: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?

(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? 

(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?