CONTENTS PPi June 2026


Volume 27 Issue 4


COVER STORY Rapid differentiation of bacterial vs. viral infections with Access MeMed BV


6


Beckman Coulter Diagnostics’ Access MeMed BV assay, a test that helps clinicians differentiate between bacterial and viral infections, is now approved under the IVDR.


OPINION Workforce sustainability and the future of pathology


NEWS


5 9


ARTICLES Practical statistics: hypothesis testing – t-tests, ANOVA, and others 16 In the second article in his new series, Stephen MacDonald looks at hypothesis testing, including statistical assumptions, study design and data quality.


Changes in global disease patterns: the challenge for microbiologists


With the spread of diseases from one natural habitat to another, less-conducive environment enabled by both climate change and international travel, Mike Wren provides a background to the likely impact on microbiological services.


Sepsis: plasma viscosity as a diagnostic marker 31


The role of plasma viscosity as a diagnostic marker in sepsis and also plasma–serum viscosity ratio as a predictor of disseminated intravascular coagulation.


22


NGS and the IVDR: aligning innovation with regulatory principles


37


With next-generation sequencing increasingly applied to diagnostics and disease surveillance, this fast-developing technology must also fit into a changing regulatory landscape.


The power to disrupt: leaders in point-of-care diagnostics 40


The most recent in the POCT Innovators series of one-day seminar events took place recently in Birmingham. Pathology in Practice rounds up an interesting day of learning for point-of-care professionals.


Medical device regulation: 2026 prospects


Cracks in the foundation: glass slides and the future of digital pathology


Could the traditional glass slide be holding back the potential of digital workflows and artificial intelligence in histopathology? Rachel Finn looks at what is required of microscope slides and cover glass.


Hantavirus infection: a look beyond that caused by the Andes strain


52


The recent outbreak of hantavirus infection on a Dutch cruise ship in the Atlantic has brought this group of viral pathogens into sharp focus. Here, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation looks at a selection of recent relevant work in the scientific literature.


Editor Andy Myall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .andymyall@stepcomms.com


Science Editor Brian Nation CSci FIBMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . briannation@stepcomms.com Publisher Geoff King. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .geoffking@stepcomms.com Business Manager Peter Moon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . petermoon@stepcomms.com


Journal Administration Katy Cockle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .katycockle@stepcomms.com Design Laurence Hallam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .laurencehallam@stepcomms.com Publishing Director Trevor Moon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . trevormoon@stepcomms.com


Advisory Panel


Dr Nigel Brown FIBMS Gavin Knight CSci FIBMS Wendy Leversuch CSci FIBMS Dame Dr Suzy Lishman CBE FRCPath Dr Stephen MacDonald FRCPath


Prof Gerry McKenna DSc CSci FIBMS Malcolm Needs CSci FIBMS Dr Sarah Pit CSci FIBMS Dr John Rees FIBMS


44


The coming months will see further change in the regulation of medical devices around the globe. Jonathan Ripley picks 10 trends to monitor.


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