COVER STORIES

Get Ready for Novel H1N1 Influenza
What’s the Role of Rapid Tests?
By Genna Rollins

Rapid influenza diagnostic tests will have a role in detecting novel H1N1 virus this fall, but laboratorians will need to interpret results within the context of local epidemiology.

Big Study on Small Patients
National Children’s Study Could Provide Key to Standardized Pediatric Reference Intervals
By Deborah Levenson

Reference intervals for infants and children are notoriously difficult to define, oftentimes forcing hospital labs to develop their own intervals with little data. If a proposal from AACC’s Pediatric Reference Range Committee moves forward, the National Children’s Study may be the key to developing standardized intervals for several common analytes.

SERIES ARTICLE

Cardiac Ischemia
Where No Biomarker Has Gone Before
By Fred S. Apple, PhD

Despite being one of the most common genetic diseases, α1-antitrypsin deficiency remains largely undiagnosed. Genetic testing can help identify the disease and prevent disease progression, but improvements in testing methodologies and algorithms are needed to increase detection of this disease.

NEWS BRIEF

INSIDE

Higher Standards on the Way for Glucose Meters?
FDA Seeking ISO Revision to Improve Performance Requirements
By Bill Malone

Laboratorians have warned that glucose meters are too error-prone. Now FDA agrees it’s time to revisit the standards, but stakeholders worry about a possible increase in meter costs and a resultant decrease in use by diabetics.

PROFILES

Regulatory Profiles