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Topical Update

Biochemical genetics in the expanded newborn screening era

topical_update_v14i1

Biochemical genetics in the expanded newborn screening era

 

Volume 14, Issue 1 January 2019  (download full article in pdf)

 

Editorial note

In this topical update, Dr. Calvin Chong reviews and updates on the technological development of biochemical genetics for the three major classes of metabolic disorders, namely aminoacidopathies, organic acidurias and fatty acid oxidation defects. These conditions have increasing local awareness, in particular with the introduction of universal expanded newborn screening. With a rising clinical demand for confirmatory tests in biochemical genetics, the ways to achieve better analytical quality and capacity were discussed. We welcome any feedback or suggestions. Please...

Antimicrobial resistance – a global health crisis

Antimicrobial resistance – a global health crisis

 

Volume 13, Issue 2 July 2018  (download full article in pdf)

 

Editorial note

With increasing prominence of the threat of antimicrobial resistance both internationally and locally, awareness and knowledge on the problem and prospects are essential, in order for rational application of control measures and monitoring of their effectiveness. In this issue of the Topical Update, Dr. Dominic Tsang and Dr. Christopher Lai present an updated overview of this important subject. We welcome any feedback or suggestion. Please direct them to Dr. Janice Lo (e-mail: janicelo@dh.gov.hk), Education Committee, The Hong Kong College of Pathologists. Opinions expressed are those of the authors or named...

An overview of NMO Spectrum Disorder and the diagnostic utility of anti-NMO antibodies

An overview of NMO Spectrum Disorder and the diagnostic utility of anti-NMO antibodies

 

Volume 13, Issue 1 December 2017  (download full article in pdf)

 

Editorial note

NMOSD is an immune mediated demyelinating disease. Though its clinical presentation may overlap with multiple sclerosis, distinguishing these two entities is important in view of differences in treatment. Anti-NMO antibodies play a crucial role in the workup and diagnosis of NMOSD. In this review, Dr Elaine Au provided an overview of the NMOSD condition and the use of anti-NMO antibody assays. We welcome any feedback or suggestions. Please direct them to Dr Elaine Au (email: ayl436@ha.org.hk) of Education Committee, the...

Molecular alterations of gastrointestinal stromal tumor - Prognostic and therapeutic implications

Molecular alterations of gastrointestinal stromal tumor - Prognostic and therapeutic implications 

 

Volume 12, Issue 2 August 2017  (download full article in pdf)

 

Editorial note:

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor is the commonest mesenchymal tumor in the digestive system. It is a genetically heterogeneous disease with various mutations apart from classical activation mutations in KIT  and PDGFRA genes. In the topical update, Dr. Anthony Chan provided an overview of molecular alterations of gastrointestinal stromal tumor with emphasis on their prognostic and therapeutic significance. We welcome any feedback or suggestions. Please direct them to Dr. Anthony Chan (e-mail: awh_chan@cuhk.edu.hk...

Laboratory testing for Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs): Are we ready?

Laboratory testing for Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs):

Are we ready?

 

Volume 12, Issue 1 January 2017  (download full article in pdf)

 

Editorial note:

In this topical update, Dr Rock Leung reviews the testing strategy and quality assurance issues on laboratory testing for direct oral anticoagulant (DOACs). We welcome any feedback or suggestions. Please direct them to Dr Rock Leung (e-mail: leungyyr.ha.org.hk) of Education Committee, the Hong Kong College of Pathologists. Opinions expressed are those of the authors or named individuals, and are not necessarily those of the Hong Kong College of Pathologists.

 

Dr. Rock LEUNG
Associate Consultant, Division of Haematology,...

Newborn Screening: Past, Present and the Future

Newborn Screening: Past, Present and the Future

Volume 11, Issue 2 August 2016  (download full article in pdf)

 

Editorial note:

In this topical update, Dr Chloe Mak reviews the history and development of newborn screening, in particular for Hong Kong. Both benefits and limitations of expanded newborn screening were discussed. The latest pilot screening programme, as stipulated in the Policy Address by Chief Executive, was also illustrated. We welcome any feedback or suggestions. Please direct them to Dr. Sammy Chen (e-mail: chenpls@ha.org.hk) of Education Committee, the Hong Kong College of Pathologists. Opinions expressed are those of the authors or named individuals, and are not necessarily those of the Hong Kong College of...

The sick returned traveller

The sick returned traveller

Volume 11, Issue 1 January 2016  (download full article in pdf)

 

Editorial note:

With increasing international travel, awareness and knowledge on the microbiology aspects of the returning traveller is essential, in order for timely diagnosis of infectious diseases acquired abroad and for administration of effective clinical management and public health control measures. In this issue of the Topical Update, Dr. Samson Wong presents a synopsis of the conditions associated with the returned traveller, which will be of practical application to any medical professional. We welcome any feedback or suggestion. Please direct them to Dr. Janice Lo (e-mail: janicelo@dh.gov.hk), Education Committee, The Hong Kong College...

Pathology of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

"Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease1" by Nephron - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Non-alcoholic_fatty_liver_disease1.jpg#/media/File:Non-alcoholic_fatty_liver_disease1.jpg

Volume 10, Issue 1, January 2015

Dr. Anthony W.H. Chan

Associate Professor Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious global health problem and associated with over-nutrition and its related metabolic risk factors including central obesity, glucose intolerance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. It is the most common metabolic liver disease worldwide and its prevalence in most Asian countries is similar to that in the States, Europe and Australia. About 10-45% of Asian population have NAFLD. With “westernized” sedentary lifestyle, the prevalence of NAFLD in general urban population in the mainland China is about 15%. NAFLD is even more prevalent in Hong Kong. Our recent study demonstrated...

Molecular Classification and Genetic Alterations of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

"Glass ochem" by Purpy Pupple - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glass_ochem.png#/media/File:Glass_ochem.png

Volume 9, Issue 2, July 2014

Dr CHOI Wai Lap

Department of Clinical Pathology Tuen Mun Hospital

Introduction

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the commonest subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, accounting for about 30% to 40% of newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin lymphoma worldwide and in Hong Kong. DLBCL is heterogeneous in clinical presentation, morphology, immunophenotype, cytogenetics and prognos is. In the WHO Classification of Tumours of the Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues published in 2008, several specific clinicopathological entities of DLBCL have been recognized, while leaving the rest to DLBCL, not otherwise specified, which is by far the most prevalent entity among the large B-cell lymphomas. In the following discussion, the term DLBCL will be used interchangeably with DLBCL, not otherwise specified.

...

Thyroid Dyshormonogenesis

Volume 9, Issue 1, January 2014

Dr YUEN Yuet Ping

Department of Chemical Pathology Prince of Wales Hospital

Introduction

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is an important preventable cause of mental retardation. To prevent irreversible brain damages caused by hypothyroidism, sufficient doses of thyroxine should be started within a few weeks after birth.(1) Since neonates with CH have no obvious or minimal clinical manifestations, biochemical screening in the newborn period has become the best public health strategy for early detection of affected neonates. In Hong Kong, a territory-wide screening programme for CH was started in 1984.(2) Cord blood samples are collected immediately after birth for measurement of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) by a single laboratory dedicated for newborn screening. The incidence of CH in...