First Case of Clade I Mpox Diagnosed in the United States
On November 18, 2024, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to provide information about the first case of clade I mpox diagnosed in the United States and recommendations to clinicians about preventing, diagnosing, treating and reporting mpox cases. On November 15, 2024, the California Department of Public…
Primary HPV Testing in Cervical Cancer Screening—Unmasking False Results in HPV Testing (Part 6)
Welcome back to our ongoing series on the use of primary HPV testing in cervical cancer screening. In this installment, we aim to shed light on the issues of false negatives and false positives that can occur with primary HPV testing. False Negative HPV Results The advent of HPV tests has undoubtedly transformed cervical cancer…
Guinea Worm Eradication: Approaching Success Amid New Challenges
The global effort to eradicate Guinea worm disease, or dracunculiasis, is nearing a historic milestone, thanks to decades of persistent, community-driven initiatives that have dramatically reduced human cases. However, recent challenges, particularly the rise of infections in domestic animals like dogs, threaten to reverse this progress. These setbacks underscore the unpredictable nature of disease eradication…
The Role of Laboratory Testing in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Management 
Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the U.S., one in eight women is expected to develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Laboratory testing is indispensable in the diagnosis and management of this disease. In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed each October, this blog highlights the key…
CDC Issues Alert for First Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak in the Republic of Rwanda
On October 3, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about the confirmed outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the Republic of Rwanda. As of October 2, 2024, 36 laboratory-confirmed cases and 11 deaths have been reported in the Republic of Rwanda, including at…
Understanding Chagas Disease: A Growing Concern in the U.S.
Chagas disease, caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and transmitted by triatomine insects, or “kissing bugs,” affects over 6 million people worldwide, leading to around 10,000 deaths annually. Despite its global impact, awareness of Chagas disease remains low, especially in the United States. Two Phases of Chagas Disease Chagas disease progresses through two distinct phases:…
Lynn Jeffers, MD, MBA, joins COLA Inc. Board of Directors
COLA, a national laboratory accreditation organization committed to promoting healthcare quality through accreditation and education, proudly announces the appointment of Lynn Jeffers, MD, MBA, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Jeffers’ extensive leadership in medicine and her innovative contributions to healthcare will help advance COLA’s mission of supporting excellence in laboratory practices. Dr. Jeffers was…