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To explore the molecular profiles of Acanthamoeba from laboratory-confirmed Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) cases reported within the United Kingdom (UK) using DNA taken directly from clinical samples.

Acanthamoeba species are free-living organisms responsible for causing a debilitating, sight-threatening disease of the cornea. Of the 24 known Acanthamoeba species, 14 cause AK.

Thirty-five Acanthamoeba DNA-positive corneal samples from the Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratories (SMiRL), Glasgow collection were selected from cases reported from 2017 - 2019. Following extraction of the DNA directly from each clinical specimen, the DNA was subjected to in-depth molecular typing using a nested PCR / bi-directional sequencing approach.

Molecular profiling was successful for 32 samples which comprised of two genotypes namely T3 and T4. The T4 genotype were further sub-typed; five sub-types existed namely; T4A, T4B, T4C, T4E and T4F.

Using a molecular typing assay applied directly to corneal tissue, this study highlights the T4 genotype and the T4A subtype are the predominant molecular variants of Acanthamoeba to cause ocular disease in the UK. Gaining in-depth information on the molecular profiling of Acanthamoeba is essential to increase our knowledge and understanding of the epidemiology, transmission pathways and potential associations with clinical outcomes for this rare, yet potentially debilitating ocular disease.

Monkeypox case management/infection control

This presentation will include how her career progressed to a Point of Care Testing (POCT) role in the Wales Specialist Virology Centre. It will also cover what POCT is; the method of testing, who gets tested and why POCT is crucial in the efforts to achieve the WHO initiative to eliminate Hepatitis C in Wales.

Examples of what a day-in-the-life of a "POCT-er" consists of: mass screening projects, case studies, what has been learnt from testing in prison and in the community (homeless shelters and substance misuse services). The future of POCT: what's on the horizon?

The presentation provides an overview on potential benefits and risks of near-patient testing conducted by health care professionals, including testing of self-collected specimens.

This presentation will outline the content of Paola's Clincal Case Study from her Higher Specialist Portfolio in Medical Microbiology. Here she will present the initial clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of a case of neonatal sepsis that linked to a previous unusual maternal screening swab. She will also outline her experience of the Higher Specialist Diploma and her plans for developing a training plan within Microbiology QMC, Nottingham for future candidates within their trust.

Next-generation molecular diagnostics: Leveraging digital technologies to enhance multiplexing in real-time PCR

Nuisance Antibodies

The presentation provides an overview on the technology and analytical performance of a new true molecular point of care testing system without need for upfront specimen preparation, and the potential benefits resulting from its use at the point of care. The presentation also discusses key aspects to be considered prior to implementation at the point of care

Polio – why has it reappeared?

The idea of generating blood cells in vitro for transfusion is not new but only now we are reaching the point where the concept is reaching clinical trials. In vitro derived blood cells (namely platelets and red cells at this stage) are complementary to blood donor-derived products but with distinct advantages: biological safety, more resilient supply line and potentially less immunogenicity.

We have developed a forward programming approach relying on the overexpression of transcription factors in pluripotent stem cells to produce the platelet mother cells, the megakaryocytes, conferring added efficiency and purity to the culture system. The challenges that remain to be addressed are related to transition to GMP production, optimising platelet release in the culture and quality control of the final product. The power of genome editing has also allowed us to explore the production of platelets with added clinical benefit (immune silent, added thrombotic potential).

Red cell production from primary CD34+ progenitors has been demonstrated in academic laboratories about a decade ago. We are now mid-way through a first in human study to look at the potential of using in vitro derived red cells for transfusion. One of the main benefits would be a potentially longer survival of the manufactured red cells in the circulation than their donor-derived counterpart. This would allow spacing out transfusion intervals for patients on chronic transfusion programme, thereby reducing iron overload.