Pathology Continuing Education

Cancer in Cactus? A Brief Introduction to the Field of Plant Pathology and Cytogenetic Mutations in Cacti

Course # 612-117-24 / 1.0 credit hours
CE Broker #: 20-1234282

Alison Shane, MS
Senior Cytogenetics Technologist, Genomics
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Level of Instruction:  Basic
Category: Cytogenetics/Molecular
Target Audience:   All are welcome

Description: A brief history of the field of plant pathology and its importance in past and current events will be discussed. Diseases differ between plants and animals and genetic mutations cause cancer but affect both species differently. Multiple species of cacti have evolved to survive genetic damage and continue to thrive with disease symptoms. This evolution in cacti inspires future cancer research in humans.

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Describe the history and impact of plant pathology on famine, extinction, and economic stability.
• Differentiate disease in plants and animals.
• Explain how plants have adapted to the same genetic mutations that cause cancer in animals but continue to thrive.
• Discuss current research in plant pathology and its implications for future cancer research in humans.

CAP Inspection 101

Course # 612-105-24 / 1.0 credit hours
CE Broker #: 20-1234214

Samuel Harvey, MD, PhD
PGY4 Resident, Pathology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Level of Instruction:  Basic
Category: Administrative/Regulatory
Target Audience:   All are welcome

Description:  This presentation will provide an overview of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) federal regulations and a discussion of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) inspections required for CLIA accreditation. 

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Identify the federal entities and CLIA regulations that govern clinical laboratories.
• Describe the criteria for designating CLIA test complexity and associated personnel requirements.
• Explain the major components of a CAP inspection including proficiency testing and checklists.
• List common CAP inspection deficiencies and identify how to avoid them.

Diagnostic Testing of Hemoglobin Disorders in the Laboratory

Course # 612-118-24 / 1.0 credit hours
CE Broker #: 20-1234288

Amelia Gentilini, MLT(ASCP)
Clinical Laboratory Scientist II, Core and Specialty Laboratories
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Ivo Francischetti, MD, PhD (consultant)
Assistant Professor, Hematologic Pathology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Level of Instruction:  Intermediate
Category: Hematology/Hematologic Disorders
Target Audience:   All are welcome

Description: This is an overview of the most common hemoglobin variants and thalassemia and how they are diagnosed in the laboratory. Background and history, symptomology, and common laboratory findings in Hemoglobinopathy and Thalassemia Patients will be covered. 

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Define hemoglobin variant disorders and identify which ones are commonly tested for in the laboratory.
• Recognize the formation, shape, and size of erythrocytes for each hemoglobin disorder and how they affect complete blood count (CBC) values.
• Identify the screening and confirmatory tests performed to determine homozygous and heterozygous hemoglobin disorders.

Duffy-null Associated Neutrophil Count: Race/Ethnicity Should Not Preclude Evaluation

Course # 612-116-24 / 1.0 credit hours
CE Broker #: 20-1234280

Kathy Haddaway, MLS(ASCP)SBB
Technical Specialist II, Transfusion Medicine 
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Jennifer Keates Baleeiro, MD, MA
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Hematology 
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Level of Instruction:  Intermediate
Category: Immunohematology/Blood Groups, Hematology/Erythropoiesis, &  Ethics/Health Disparities
Target Audience:   All are welcome

Description:  An ANC below the reference range has historically been observed in persons of African ancestry called “Benign Ethnic Neutropenia”, but is now known to be related to the Duffy-null phenotype of erythroid cells that is common in those of African descent and does not represent true neutropenia. Failure to recognize Duffy-null Associated Neutrophil Count may have implications for patient care, exclusion from clinical trials, or treatment discontinuation. We will discuss the process and importance of identification to ensure appropriate patient care. 

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Describe the function of the Duffy blood group system.
• Interpret Fya/Fyb antigen testing results.
• Recommend evaluation of Duffy-null Associated Neutrophil Count based on laboratory and clinical data.
• Discuss two ways that the identification of Duffy-null Associated Neutrophil Count can impact patient care.

Going with the Flow: A MOG Lab Developed Test

Course # 612-109-24 / 1.0 credit hours
CE Broker #: 20-1234244

Conlan Tran, MLS(ASCP)
Lead, Immunology
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Level of Instruction:  Intermediate
Category: Immunology/Techniques
Target Audience:   All are welcome

Description: Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD) is a central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease that targets the optic nerves, brain, and spinal cord. Patients with this disease develop autoantibodies against myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) that are responsible for causing clinical manifestations. Given that the symptoms and presentations of MOGAD can resemble CNS demyelinating disorders like Multiple Sclerosis, the detection of MOG autoantibodies is crucial in its diagnosis and treatment. A new and improved method for MOG serology has been developed by the Immunology laboratory and is currently in clinical use.

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Describe MOGAD, its clinical features, and laboratory findings.
• Recognize challenges in MOG antibody detection.
• Describe our new flow cytometry-based assay and how it’s used for MOG antibody detection.

Granulocyte Transfusion, When and Why?

Course # 612-207-24 / 0.5 credit hours

Ahmad Kohsar, DO
PGY-1 Pathology Resident
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Rachel Colangelo, MLS(ASCP)^CM
Clinical Laboratory Scientist III, Transfusion Medicine
SBBT/TM student
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Category: Immunohematology/Blood Components
Target Audience: All are welcome

Description: This presentation will be on the use of granulocytes in transfusion medicine and whey they are appropriate for clinical use.

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Describe the indications and scenarios that necessitate granulocyte transfusions
• Explain the evidence to support the efficacy and use of granulocyte transfusions
• Identify the limitations of granulocyte transfusion
• Describe the necessary criteria for donation granulocytes and post-donation handling

Hepatitis B: The Silent Epidemic

Course # 612-119-24 / 1.0 credit hours
CE Broker #: 20-1234304

Bernice Agana, PhD
Fellow, Clinical Chemistry
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Category: Clinical Chemistry/Diseases
Target Audience: All are welcome

Description:  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a significant global public health challenge even though there is an effective vaccine available. The WHO estimates 296 million individuals worldwide and 1.6 million in the USA are chronically infected with HBV with 1.5 million new infections occurring annually. Alarmingly, 90% of HBV-infected individuals are unaware of their status, highlighting the need for increased vaccination and awareness. This presentation will focus on the epidemiology of HBV, screening diagnostics, management strategies for individuals with chronic HBV as well as antiviral agents for treatment.

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Differentiate HBV infection from other viral hepatitis infections.
• Describe the pathophysiology of Hepatitis B infection and its progression to disease.
• Discuss the methods for screening and diagnosing Hepatitis B, including the use of biomarkers to monitor disease progression.

HIV and Hepatitis C in Patients with Hemophilia A

Course # 612-201-24 / 0.5 credit hours

Fatima Zaman, MBBS, MMSc, MPH
PGY-1 Pathology Resident
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Christine McLaughlin, MLT(ASCP)^CMBB^CM
Clinical Laboratory Scientist III, Transfusion Medicine
SBBT/TM student
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Level of Instruction: Basic
Category: Wellness/General
Target Audience: All are welcome

Description: We will discuss the potential negative consequences of social media and review the current evidence about social media’s effects on mental health.

Objectives: 
At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Discuss the impact of social media on youth
• Discuss the current evidence of social media’s relationship with mental health issues

Nutrition and its Role in Immunity

Course # 612-120-24 / 1.0 credit hours
CE Broker #: 20-1234322

Henrietta Eugene, MS, HT(ASCP)
IHC/IP Research Specialist, Surgical Pathology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Level of Instruction:  Intermediate
Category: Histology & Immunology/Disease States
Target Audience:   All are welcome

Description:  Nutrition plays a vital role in the body’s immune response. Nutrient consumption influences the body’s immunocompetence and its response to infection and illness. In this presentation we will be discussing nutrition and its role in immunity and how nutrient intake could be the reason most have unhealthy immune systems resulting in overall health being compromised.

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Describe the role of nutrition in the body’s immunity.
• Compare and contrast malnutrition and overnutrition as it impacts immunity.

Overview of Sickle Cell Disease Pathology, Diagnosis, Conventional and New Treatments

Course # 612-201-24 / 0.5 credit hours

Andrew Sulaiman, MD
PGY-2 Pathology Resident
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Level of Instruction:  Intermediate
Category:  Hematology/Molecular
Target Audience:   All are welcome

Description:  Review the pathology of sickle cell disease from diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies to symptoms and patient presentation to management and pharmacologic therapies. Lastly, we will review the gene therapies and their mechanism.

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Identify Hemoglobin S peaks and differentiate sickle cell disease and trait on hemoglobinopathy HPLCs.
• Differentiate between the two methods of gene therapy used for the treatment of sickle cell disease.

This Yeast, what a Beast! Tracking Down Hospital-Acquired Cases of Candida auris

Course # 612-121-24 / 1.0 credit hours
CE Broker #: 20-1234324

Shannon Murphy, PhD
Fellow, Clinical Microbiology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Level of Instruction:  Intermediate
Category: Microbiology
Target Audience:   All are welcome

Description:  Candida auris is a rapidly emerging fungal pathogen that poses a major threat in healthcare settings. Advanced techniques such as whole genome sequencing (WGS) play a crucial role in distinguishing between closely related strains, helping to pinpoint cases of hospital-acquired Candida auris and aiding in effective infection control. In our study, infection control and the laboratory collaborate to track down cases of hospital-acquired Candida auris.

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Describe the rising threat of Candida auris in healthcare settings.
• Explain the role of advanced technologies in outbreak investigations.

Washed Red Blood Cells: Insights from Recent Cases

Course # 612-207-24 / 0.5 credit hours

Delaram Shakiba, MD
PGY-4 Pathology Resident
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Level of Instruction:  Intermediate
Category:  Immunohematology/Donor Blood
Target Audience:   All are welcome

Description:  This presentation will review the clinical indications for washed red blood cells (RBCs) and highlight two cases where requests were deemed inappropriate, clarifying decision-making in similar scenarios.

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Explain what washed RBCs are and describe the process of washing RBCs.
• Recognize when washed RBCs should be used.
• Describe the effects of washing on the quality and efficacy of RBCs.

Weird Micro, Kid Stuff: Microbiology Cases in Pediatrics and Young Adults

Course # 612-113-24 / 1.0 credit hours
CE Broker #: 20-1234264

Paula C. Mister, MS, MT, SM(ASCP)
Education Coordinator, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Category: Microbiology/Bacteriology
Target Audience: All are welcome

Description:  Fun and interactive session in which the audience will try to “guess the organism” based on patient and laboratory information provided! This session will focus on unusual microbiological infections in a younger age group, pediatric and young adults. Classic and current identification methods, epidemiology, and treatment for each organism will be presented.

Objectives: 

At the completion of the presentation, the audience will be able to:

• Postulate the causative microorganism for each presented case given patient history and laboratory testing.
• Describe the identification, epidemiology, and treatment for each infection presented.
• Respect the interesting, unexpected, and unusual microbiological infections in the pediatric and young adult population.

• 8th Annual Pathology Educational Symposium (Virtual)
• 7th Annual Pathology Educational Symposium
• 6th Annual Pathology Educational Symposium
• 5th Annual Pathology Educational Symposium
• 4th Annual Pathology Educational Symposium