The
Spring 2016
Laboratory Report A Publication of the Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine
S
Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine Develops First Hospital-Based Rapid Test for Zika Virus
tories of the Zika virus’ emergence and rapid spread throughout Central and South America have been featured on the front pages of all major media outlets for the past several weeks. Zika virus is similar to other mosquitoborne viruses such as West Nile, Dengue, and Chikungunya, and is also transmitted by Aedes mosquitos. However, the recent identification of Zika virus in semen and urine of infected patients suggests that human-to-human transmission may be possible. Although direct causation has not been proved, epidemiological studies have associated Zika virus infection during pregnancy with infant microcephaly
IN THIS ISSUE Rapid Zika Test Developed
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Pathology Faculty Named to Top 100 List
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Faculty to Receive Awards
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New Microgrants Released
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Books by Dept Faculty
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Archives’ 90 Anniversary
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Department Hosts Tuberculosis Symposium
(underdeveloped brains) and eye defects. An association between Zika virus infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) also has been suggested. Taken together, these findings are cause for great medical concern. In response, the Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital teamed up with Texas Children’s Hospital to develop, validate, and implement the first hospital-based rapid test for Zika virus. This direct Zika test was developed in a matter of weeks as part of the L.E. and Virginia Simmons Collaborative in Virus Detection and Surveillance. This collaborative program was made possible by the generosity of Mr.
and Mrs. Simmons, and is designed to facilitate rapid development of tests for virus detection in a large metropolitan area. The molecular diagnostic assay can be performed on serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, and urine specimens. Typically, samples from patients suspected of being infected with the virus would be sent to a public health laboratory such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The turnaround time for results could be weeks to a month, but our test can render results within hours. “The rapidity of this test is especially important, and will give physicians the information they need to better manage their Continued on page 2
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New Scholars Platform
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Conference News
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Chair’s Lecture
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Grand Rounds
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Publications
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Keith Newton, MB(ASCP)CM, Medical Technologist (left) and Heather Hendrikson, MB(ASCP)CM, MBA, Manager of the Diagnostic Immunology Lab and Molecular Diagnostics Lab (right) worked closely with Randall Olsen, MD, PhD, Director of Molecular Diagnostics, to develop the rapid Zika virus test.