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Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) are powerful tools to study the ultrastructure of numerous specimens and to determine their elemental composition, respectively. However, results have not yet been reported on their application to urine samples in routine clinical laboratory practice. Herein we investigate urine sediment by using SEM and EDX to detect and identify different urine components. A total of 206 urine samples from patients with and without urinary tract infections were analyzed using SEM and EDX. Microorganisms, crystals, epithelial cells, leukocytes, and erythrocytes were targeted in urine sediment samples. The identification of urine components was based on their morphology, size, contrast, and elemental composition. SEM‐analysis allowed us to identify and classify microorganisms in urine sediments into the categories of gram‐negative bacilli, cluster cocci, chain cocci, gram‐negative bacilli, gram‐positive bacilli, and yeasts. In addition, various types of epithelial cells such as renal, transitional, and squamous epithelial cells were found. Furthermore, leukocytes and erythrocytes were well identified, with the detection of various morphological forms of erythrocytes, such as dysmorphic and isomorphic erythrocytes. Using SEM–EDX analysis, calcium oxalate was the most frequently‐identified crystal (92.0%), with prominent peaks of C, O, and Ca elements, followed by struvite (6%), with peaks of Mg, P, O, and N. These preliminary data suggest that the two complementary SEM–EDX analyses can be used to detect and identify microorganisms and crystals in urine samples. Further studies are still needed to apply SEM–EDX to urine sediment analysis. SEM–EDX analyses provided comparative results with the routine results, with accurate identification, high resolution and deep focus compared to the routine urinalysisSEM‐analysis allowed us to identify and classify microorganisms in urine sediments into the categories of gram‐negative bacilli, cluster cocci, chain cocci, gram‐negative bacilli, gram‐positive bacilli and yeasts.SEM–EDX analysis enabled the accurate identification of crystals based on both morphology and elemental composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: laboratory request forms (LRF) is a means of communication between the biologist and the clinician. In Niger, to our knowledge, no study focused on the editorial quality of LRF. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the editorial quality and cost of non-compliant LRF in four main hospitals in Niamey and the representation of the CERBA laboratory in Niger. Methods: we conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional, descriptive study over a period of eight months. All LRFs sent to selected laboratories over the study period were included in this study. Results: a total of 5.651 LRFs from 30 different clinical departments were included in this study. The most reported information in the LRFs was: the patient's last name (99.79%), first name (99.65%) and date of prescription (97.45%). On the other hand, the sample date, time, and nature were reported in 0.02%, 0.21%, and 1.68% of the LRFs respectively. Overall, 9.45% of the LRFs complied with the principles of good prescribing. While the bivariate analysis showed that doctors had a tendency to prescribe better than other health workers, multivariate analysis showed that the risk of non-compliance of LRFs was not associated with the prescriber's qualification, the requesting service, and the testing cost. Conclusion: the editorial quality of LRFs is very low in the health structures evaluated. These results highlight the need for effective communication between the physicians and the biologists and a rigorous attitude of laboratory staff regarding the management of non-conformities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: laboratory request forms (LRF) is a means of communication between the biologist and the clinician. In Niger, to our knowledge, no study focused on the editorial quality of LRF. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the editorial quality and cost of non-compliant LRF in four main hospitals in Niamey and the representation of the CERBA laboratory in Niger., Methods: we conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional, descriptive study over a period of eight months. All LRFs sent to selected laboratories over the study period were included in this study., Results: a total of 5.651 LRFs from 30 different clinical departments were included in this study. The most reported information in the LRFs was: the patient's last name (99.79%), first name (99.65%) and date of prescription (97.45%). On the other hand, the sample date, time, and nature were reported in 0.02%, 0.21%, and 1.68% of the LRFs respectively. Overall, 9.45% of the LRFs complied with the principles of good prescribing. While the bivariate analysis showed that doctors had a tendency to prescribe better than other health workers, multivariate analysis showed that the risk of non-compliance of LRFs was not associated with the prescriber's qualification, the requesting service, and the testing cost. Conclusion: the editorial quality of LRFs is very low in the health structures evaluated. These results highlight the need for effective communication between the physicians and the biologists and a rigorous attitude of laboratory staff regarding the management of non-conformities., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d´intérêts., (Copyright: Kadour Djobo et al.)