PATHOLOGY
first-line medical treatments. For example, it can be easily operated by caregivers and not just biomedical scientists. Additionally, it is compact and lightweight, taking up minimum space in busy departments. Its strength also lies in its capability in providing rapid screening of microbial infection and predictive diagnosis of infectious diseases, as well as access to other applications in a POCT setting.
COVID-19 biomarkers Interestingly, studies have confirmed the effectiveness of CRP combined with FBC in flu diagnostics4
seen as potentially useful biomarkers in the screening, triage and prognosis of COVID-19.5,6
and now these are being White blood cells, platelets and
CRP have all been observed to be abnormal in COVID-19 infected patients and can be used to help in the assessment of the severity of infection; therefore, supporting clinical decision making for risk stratification and management (Fig. 4).
The gold standard for confirmation of COVID-19 diagnosis is through the detection by molecular analysis of the viral genome using qPCR. However, detection of the virus is not a predictor of the severity of the disease, so the use of the aforementioned biological markers with clinical observations can support prompt patient management decisions. Therefore, the Microsemi CRP could aid in triage to help potentially identify COVID-19, particularly those patients most likely to require intervention and/or intensive care. It can also facilitate the continuation of other critical clinical services by aiding the separation of COVID-19 patients. Where possible, it can even be used for testing in the community to avoid the unnecessary travel of vulnerable or possibly infected individuals.
In conclusion
The Microsemi CRP point of care haematology analyser can streamline and enhance diagnostic pathways in the community, change patient flow and help to reduce hospital admissions for vulnerable patients. It is an ideal ‘near-patient’ analyser for this purpose, as it is compact, user- friendly and uniquely delivers a laboratory- accurate, three-part differential full blood count combined with a C-reactive protein
Figure 4: Biological markers for screening, triage and prognosis of COVID-19. 6
measurement. This means it can support the rapid diagnosis of a wide range of conditions, particularly helping in the early diagnosis of infections.
Information gathered from this POC CRP haematology analyser is of great value in determining the presence of bacterial infection and inflammation, and differentiating viral infection, thus supporting antibiotic stewardship. Furthermore, given the rapidity of results delivered, patients can receive the treatment they need immediately, or be referred appropriately and without delay. This not only relieves pressure on the main hospital, but also enables patients to be safely and effectively treated in the community, closer to home, where possible.
CSJ
References 1 Caldas JP, et al. (2008). Accuracy of white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha for diagnosing late neonatal sepsis. J Pediatr (Rio J);84 6:536 42
2 Takemura Y., (2004). Immediate Availability of C-Reactive Protein and Leukocyte Count Data Influenced Physicians’ Decisions to Prescribe Antimicrobial Drugs for New Outpatients with Acute Infections. Clinical Chemistry; 50 1 :241-244
3 Woolley, T. (2014). A Comparison Between the Horiba Microsemi Point-of-Care C-Reactive Protein and Full Blood Cell Analyzer and the Horiba Pentra 120 and Roche Cobas 6000. Point of Care;13: 66–69
Our focus on using new POCT such as the Microsemi CRP haematology analysers is supporting the population across Cornwall with a new way of triaging patients to help keep them out of hospital and A&E unless truly necessary.
OCTOBER 2020 About the author
Mandy Campbell joined Horiba UK in 2002 after 15 years as a biomedical scientist. She has held a variety of roles in the company, including product specialist and technical/training manager, and is now in charge of UK sales and marketing for the medical segment.
WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM l 79
4 Inaba, T., Pastore, M., Seguy, F., Fujita, N. (2010). Microsemi LC-667CRP evaluation in perspective of influenza diagnosis. International Society for Laboratory Hematology 2010 conference.
5 Siatka, C., Eveillard, M., Nishimura, J., Duroux, C., Ferrandi, G. (2020). COVID-19 screening, prognosis and severity assessment with biomarkers for management of patients. HORIBA Medical White Paper. Published April 10 2020.
6 HORIBA Medical (2020). How biological markers could contribute to the monitoring of COVID-19? Focus Note #2: Inflammatory Marker. https://www.
horiba.com/en_en/products/by-segment/medical/ hematology-analyzer/coronavirus-covid19/how- crp-inflammatory-marker-could-contribute-to-the- monitoring-of-covid-19-focus-note-2-inflammatory- marker/ (Accessed June 2020)
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