Phylogenomic and genomic analysis reveals unique and shared genetic signatures of complex species.

Species belonging to the complex (MKC) are frequently isolated from humans and the environment and can cause serious diseases. The most common MKC infections are caused by the species (), leading to tuberculosis-like disease. However, a broad spectrum of virulence, antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity of these non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are observed across the MKC.

EFLM Task Force Preparation of Labs for Emergencies (TF-PLE) recommendations for reinforcing cyber-security and managing cyber-attacks in medical laboratories.

The healthcare systems are a prime target for cyber-attacks due to the sensitive nature of the information combined with the essential need for continuity of care. Medical laboratories are particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks for a number of reasons, including the high level of information technology (IT), computerization and digitization. Based on reliable and widespread evidence that medical laboratories may be inadequately prepared for cyber-terrorism, a panel of experts of the Task Force Preparation of Labs for Emergencies (TF-PLE) of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) has recognized the need to provide some general guidance that could help medical laboratories to be less vulnerable and better prepared for the dramatic circumstance of a disruptive cyber-attack, issuing a number of consensus recommendations, which are summarized and described in this opinion paper.

Quality benchmarking of smartphone laboratory medicine applications: comparison of laboratory medicine specialists' and non-laboratory medicine professionals' evaluation.

Objectives: There are many mobile health applications (apps) now available and some that use in some way laboratory medicine data. Among them, patient-oriented are of the lowest content quality. The aim of this study was to compare the opinions of non-laboratory medicine professionals (NLMP) with those of laboratory medicine specialists (LMS) and define the benchmarks for quality assessment of laboratory medicine apps.

Emerging resistant clones of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a spatiotemporal context.

Objectives: We assessed the genetic structure of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis population in Estonia with a special focus on major epidemic/endemic clones and drug resistance determinants. We investigated the hypothesis of the decisive impact of massive human influx on the locally circulating genotypes. Estonia received a mass immigration from Russia during 1945-90 followed by enhanced interaction with the EU since 1991.

A survey of patients' views from eight European countries of interpretive support from Specialists in Laboratory Medicine.

Background: There is increasing interest in direct patient engagement including receiving their laboratory medicine results. We previously established an appetite for Specialists in Laboratory Medicine to support patients in understanding results. The aim of this study was to establish whether patients agreed with such an approach, determined through surveying views in eight European countries.

Interpretation and management of INR results: a case history based survey in 13 countries.

Introduction: Standardisation of treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) is still an issue after 60 years of use. The study aimed to explore aspects of VKA monitoring in primary and secondary care.

Methods: Two case histories were distributed to physicians in 13 countries.

Diagnosing microalbuminuria and consequences for the drug treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes: a European survey in primary care.

Aims: To assess general practitioners (GPs) knowledge of guideline recommendations on diagnosing microalbuminuria (MA) and to evaluate how this diagnosis influences drug treatment of diabetes patients.

Methods: A postal case-history based questionnaire describing a male patient (previously not tested for MA) with type 2 diabetes who had several risk markers for cardiovascular disease.

Results: 2078GPs from nine European countries were included, with response rates varying from 7% to 43%.

Postanalytical external quality assessment of urine albumin in primary health care: an international survey.

Background: Microalbuminuria (MA) is recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular and renal complications in diabetes. We sought to evaluate how screening for MA is conducted and how urine albumin (UA) results are interpreted in primary care internationally.

Methods: General practitioners (GPs) received a case history-based questionnaire depicting a male type 2 diabetes patient in whom UA testing had not been performed.