Infection Prevention & Control Conference Presentation
Better Test = Better Workflow
Presented by Amelia Floresca
Head of Infection Prevention and Control at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
An Infection Prevention and Control Lead's perspective on how their laboratory's adoption of a broad panel syndromic PCR gastrointestinal assay improved their patient workflow.
When the laboratory routinely tests for C. difficile and Norovirus for all samples, in-patient, community or GP: what is the impact on IPC practice and how has this novel approach impacted on ward management practices.
To access the ICP 2026 conference presentation, please complete the form below and request IPC presentation access. The recording will be made available following the conference.
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Molecular testing for intestinal protozoa: how a laboratory developed test compares to one that is FDA-cleared
Presented by Dr Susan Madison-Antenucci
Infections with intestinal parasitic protozoa are frequently underdiagnosed. Contributing factors include lack of knowledge regarding the prevalence in economically developed countries, poor sensitivity for traditional microscopy-based testing algorithms and lack of ability to test for some parasites. Sensitive, comprehensive and efficient testing methods are key for detection of intestinal parasites in clinical and reference laboratories.
Here we will discuss the comparison of laboratory-developed multiplex real-time PCR tests with the FDA-cleared Genetic Signatures Gastrointestinal Parasite Detection test. Specimens submitted to a reference laboratory for confirmation testing were retrospectively tested using the Genetic Signatures assay. Overall, 225 specimens were tested by both methods and showed good concordance for detection of Cryptosporidium sp., Cyclospora cayetanensis, Giardia duodenalis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Blastocystis sp. and Entamoeba histolytica, which are included in both assays.