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Substantive and significant advances have been made in the last two decades in the characterization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections using molecular techniques. These advances include the use of real-time measurements, isothermal amplification, the inclusion of internal quality assurance protocols, device miniaturization and the automation of specimen processing. The result has been a significant increase in the availability of results to a high level of accuracy and quality. Molecular assays are currently widely used for diagnostics, antiretroviral monitoring and drug resistance characterization in developed countries. Simple and cost-effective point-of-care versions are also being vigorously developed with the eventual goal of providing timely healthcare services to patients residing in remote areas and those in resource-constrained countries. In this review, we discuss the evolution of these molecular technologies, not only in the context of the virus, but also in the context of tests focused on human genomics and transcriptomics.

The APTIMA(®) Trichomonas vaginalis (APTIMA TV; Gen-Probe Inc.) assay is the only amplification-based assay for T. vaginalis (TV) currently cleared by the US FDA. The assay was cleared in April 2011. APTIMA TV utilizes target capture specimen processing, transcription-mediated amplification and chemiluminescent probe hybridization for the qualitative detection of TV ribosomal RNA. The assay is used for the screening/diagnosis of trichomoniasis in women. Specimen types that can be used include physician-collected endocervical swabs, vaginal swabs, endocervical specimens collected in PreservCyt(®) (Thin Prep, Hologic Incorporated, MA, USA) solution and female urine specimens. The APTIMA TV assay has shown superior performance in side-by-side comparisons with other diagnostic methods in all patient populations and specimen types tested. Clinical sensitivity and specificity are >95 and 98%, respectively. The APTIMA TV assay fills a significant void in sexually transmitted infection diagnostics.

During the last 10 years, the introduction of PCR-based DNA typing technologies in forensic applications has been highly successful. This technology has become pervasive throughout forensic laboratories and it continues to grow in prevalence. For many criminal cases, it provides the most probative evidence. Criminal genotype data banking and victim identification initiatives that follow mass-fatality incidents have benefited the most from the introduction of automation for sample processing and data analysis. Attributes of offender specimens including large numbers, high quality and identical collection and processing are ideal for the application of laboratory automation. The magnitude of kinship analysis required by mass-fatality incidents necessitates the application of computing solutions to automate the task. More recently, the development activities of many forensic laboratories are focused on leveraging experience from these two applications to casework sample processing. The trend toward increased prevalence of forensic genetic analysis will continue to drive additional innovations in high-throughput laboratory automation and information systems.

Ever since the introduction of immunohistochemical staining (IHC), histotechnologists around the world have been faced with a growing demand for faster and more accurate staining (maximum antigen d...

Accurate characterization of the bone-cement-implant interface often requires hard tissue techniques to prepare retrieved implants for analysis. However, chemicals used for specimen processing can alter and degrade the cement interface. With few exceptions, cement degradation caused by specimen processing has not been systematically and quantitatively assessed. This is especially the case for the new non-formalin based fixatives currently being marketed. We measured physical and mechanical changes that accumulated over time as bone cement was exposed to different chemicals routinely used for fixation, dehydration, and embedding hard tissue specimens.Cylindrical bone cement plugs were submersed into 14 different chemical solutions according to applicable histological protocols. After exposure to the chemicals, the weight, volume, and compressive strength of each specimen was measured. The type of chemicals used for fixation, dehydration, and infiltration, and the length of time in solution were sig...

Laboratory technicians have been preparing bone samples for fluorochrome viewing since the late 1950s. Improvements in technique and advancements in materials have enabled specimen processing and preparation to elevate to a higher standard of quality. However, there is no set of standards with which to guide the novice in preparing slides for subsequent microscopic observation. This study reports results from 15 slide comparison methods. While many of the slide preparation techniques yielded similar results to the control slide, several methods including three staining procedures, were substandard for optimal fluorochrome viewing. (The J Histotechnol 25:103, 2002)Submitted March 15, 2002; accepted April 5, 2002