THE CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS

For Laboratory Professionals

Newsletter: Volume 2, Issue 1

A NEWSLETTER FOR THE EASTER SEASON!

Anguilla St. Vincent & Grenadines

Haiti

By this time, we would have celebrated Jesus Christ, through the stages of his death to his resurrection from the tomb. So during this Easter season, let us not forget what he died for, Therefore remember to pray for each other and bear goodwill for one another in all our hearts. A blessed Easter Greeting to all!!! end., as we celebrate the dead and rising out Jesus Christ . However if you still believe in the Easter Bunny, I hope that you had a basket full of chocolates. To share with your friends and loved ones!!

Grenada

Dominica

The Cayman Islands

Bermuda

Belize

The Bahamas

Barbados

Jamaica

Antigua & Barbuda

CONTRIBUTORS FOR MARCH: Spiritual Woman Press Chris Seay (USA) Victor Farrell (Barbados) PAHO/WHO www.wikipedia.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH) The Bahamas Branch
The Essential Message of Easter Word from the Liaison Looking Back (Extended version) pg 2. pg 3. pg 4.

Trinidad & Tobago

St. Lucia

St. Kitts & Nevis

Trinidad & Tobago Roll Out HPV Immunization Vaccine Programme for Adolescent Girls pg 6. Malaria Malaria Diagnosis (U.S.) Rapid Diagnostic Test pg 7.
Distributed: September 2012

Suriname

Guyana

pg 9.

New Odor Sensor Found in Mosquitoes pg 10. BGM 2013

Distributed March, 2013

The Netherland Antilles

pg 11.

The British Virgin Islands

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The Essential Message of Easter by Sharon Serot

Regardless of whether you are an Episcopalian, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist or "Christian" of some stripe, the festival of Easter is the highlight of our year. With its themes of His triumph over death and His resurrection, we prepare ourselves for the Ascension of our Lord. It is important to remember that Salvation is not just a historical event that took place in the distant past to other people in other places. The same spiritual energies that were available during the Resurrection are available to us in the here and now. Easter is truly an opportunity for re-birth for those who grasp on to it. The Easter season is looked upon with great anticipation by people who are interested in their own spiritual growth and well being. The rituals we observe allow us time for reflection, prayer and penitence, which can lead to our own rebirth. The early Christians no longer focused on the exodus from Egyptian Bondage, but on a new kind of exodus from the bondage of sin to the new life of our Risen Lord. Sometimes during the weeks preceding Easter we have a feeling of discomfort, of sadness. We walk around moping, not quite understanding why. This is because in a way, we are in mourning. We are mourning the loss of a part of our essential selves, even though our sinfulness is something we need to eradicate, we still mourn its loss. Why? Because the behavior patterns of sin are known to us, we feel oddly comforted by the familiarity of them. Sinfulness lies deep within a person; it is an attitude, a willingness to turn ones face away from the Creator. Often times we are not even conscious of this shift away from God. It is only after one comes to the realization that he has turned his face away and separated himself, can he hope for perfect reunification. But how do we move from our deeply flawed state of sin to one of reconciliation? The followers of Christ have been furnished with the cure. Once and for all, Jesus has paid the price for us to redeem ourselves. Through the saving action of Christ, each of us has been reconciled to God. The spiritual energy of the Easter Season affords us a unique opportunity to grasp hold of our own redemption. We need to remember that life is a series of stops and starts, of spiritual advancement and spiritual retreat. We have "spiritual growth spurts" throughout our lives until the day we die. I hope that this Easter you will take the opportunity to explore the reason for the season in your own life.

About the Author Copyright 2005. Sharon Serot , CEO Terra Sancta Guild. Find a wide selection of Christian and Inspirational gifts for any occasion. http://www.terrasanctaguild.com

Spiritual Woman Press, 2006. All rights reserved.

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Word from the Liaison: Chis Seay (AMT)

Greetings to all,

2013 is going to prove to be a very busy year for AMT and CASMET:
The Regional Council Meeting is in May. The AMT National Meeting is in July in Pittsburgh. The CASMET Biennial General Meeting is in The Bahamas in October. Of all the things one should remember is that it takes time and effort it takes to put these meeting together. Like the AMT national meeting, the BGM is where members really get a chance to put their concerns on the table. AMT is so proud to be a part of the CASMET BGM. Efforts are being made to show a very presence at the meeting. I am truly looking forward to seeing everyone at the RCM, AMT National or the BGM. Above all, congratulations are sent to Victor Farrell (Barbados) for his great achievement in receiving the Order of the British Empire. Victor is a most deserving of this award. He has shown that he is a diligent and dedicated worker, not only for CASMET but also for AMT. He is well respected in these organizations and in the region.
Thanks, Chris Seay, MT (AMT) CASMET Liaison A QUOTE OF NOTE:
There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and to make well. And while I dont expect you to save the world I do think its not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you can call friend, engage those among you who are visionary and remove from your live those who offer you depression, despair and disrespect.

Ummm!!!!!! Chocolate

Nikki Giovanni

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LOOKING BACK (The extended version): By Victor Farrell

DID YOU KNOW THAT??
The first meeting to introduce the formation of the Society of Medical Technologists (W.I) was held at the

Department of Pathology, University of the West Indies, Jamaica on May 29, 1953. At that time the name agreed on was the Association of Medical Technicians.
The inauguration of the Association took place at a General Meeting held on December 9, 1953 at which

Professor Hill was elected President.

At a meeting held on September 28, 1954, it was decided that the word Association should be replaced by

Society and that the full name should be The Society of Medical Technologists (West Indies).
Professor G. Bras succeeded Professor Hill as President in November 1956. The decade of the mid 1960s to mid 1970s saw an increase in the number of Medical Technology students

from other Caribbean islands undergoing training at the Department of Pathology, U.W.I, Mona. This was made possible largely through the financial assistance from the World Health Organization.
Up until the mid 1970s the training of Medical Technologists was largely on the job, supplement ed by

lectures and demonstrations.

The Societys Constitution provided for the formation of branches in member territories. Among the early

territorial branches formed were Guyana in 1955, Trinidad in 1956, Bahamas in 1965 and Barbados in 1966.
In 1973, the Constitution was amended to allow Fellows of the Society to hold the office of President. That

year Mrs. Jacqueline McDonald became the first technologists to hold the post of President.
Mr. Ivan Aldred of Jamaica held the post of President for nine (9) months in 1974, followed by the full

one-year term, 1974 1975. He was also the Societys longest serving Treasurer, having held the post for more than fifteen (15) years.
From April 12 to 16, 1977, a congress of regional Medical Laboratory educators was held in Antigua. The

meeting was chaired by the then Principal of the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) and the then Society of Medical Technologists (W.I) was represented by its President, Messrs. Victor Elliot, Victor Farrell and Ms. Greselda Blackman (now Evans).
The Barbados Branch of the then Society, hosted a Regional Meeting from October 18 22, 1977. The

meeting was financed by donations from laboratory staff members, local companies and the Ministry of Health, Barbados. The main objective of the meeting was the revival and restructuring of the Society which had fallen into a state of lethargy.

The Barbados Branch contd

The meeting was attended by Senior Technologists from Antigua, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Vincent. Among the proposals coming out of that meeting was one to change the name of the organisation from the Society of Medical Technologists (W.I) to the Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists and another to decentralize its executive.
In October 1979, Nassau, Bahamas was the venue of the first Regional Meetings to be held outside of Jamaica.

At those meetings, the name of the Society was changed to the Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists and members from other branches were elected to the executive for the first time. Ms. Barbara Waite was the first President of the renamed body.
Up until 1985, Regional General Meetings were held annually. At the October 1985 General Meeting the

decision was taken that Regional General Meetings would held biennially. As a consequence of that decision, Mr. Victor Farrell served a one-year term as President from 1984 1985, followed by a two-year term from October, 1985 to November 1987.
The now defunct Bermuda Medical Technologists Association was granted Branch status on Saturday

November 28, 1988. This approval followed the acceptance of a motion allowing Branches to use their indigenous names e.g. Bermuda Medical Technologists Association. Prior to that, Branches were designated CASMET, followed by the name of the country.
The Affiliation Agreement between the Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists (CASMET) and

American Medical Technologists (AMT) was signed at the Associations General Meeting held at the Sheraton Americas Hotel, Miami, Florida from October 22 28, 1989. Signing on behalf of AMT was its President, Mr. William Robbins. CASMETs President at the time, the late James Mackey signed on behalf of CASMET.
Mr. Norman Burke, who served as CASMETs President from 1992 1993, received the Order of

Distinction (Officer Class) at the Jamaican National Awards Ceremony in 1994. He also received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Medical Technologists (AMT) in 1994.

Prepared by Victor DaC. Farrell, FMT, MBE

Oh My! I nearly broke my eggs!

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Global Immunization News: February 2013 Issue

Trinidad and Tobago rolls out HPV vaccination programme for adolescent girls
28/02/2013 from Yitades Gebre, PAHO/WHO, Gwendolyn Snaggs, Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago

The Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago has expanded the National Immunization Programme with the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV4), with an official launch by the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr Faud Khan, late last year. In its first year, the programme plans to vaccinate a cohort of 20,000 adolescent girls, aged between 11 and 12 years, against the potential risk of cervical cancer. The initial administration of the vaccine for the identified cohort began in January 2013 and is expected to be completed by the end of November 2013 with an expected uptake of 80%. The HPV vaccination of pre-adolescent girls is delivered as a school-based programme, utilizing the successful initiative for other vaccine delivery in its existing immunization schedule conducted throughout the primary schools. However, almost half of the cohort is in secondary education and the programme would for the first time be administered in students at secondary schools. The Ministry of Health implemented its communication strategy by conducting first-sensitization sessions with the media personnel followed by relevant national stakeholders. Following the launch of the campaign, a two-hour radio programme about cervical cancer, screening, treatment and prevention was aired. HPV vaccination promotional posters and brochures were developed for distribution to health care providers and health care facilities throughout the country. Numerous training and sensitization sessions have been conducted for nurses, physicians, school principals, parent teacher associations and religious groups. The media communication included newspaper advertisements and a FAQ on the Ministry of Healths website.

Representatives from the National Parent Teachers Association, School Supervisors Family Planning Association, Religious Organization and staff of the Ministry of Health of Trinidad and Tobago.

http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/pap/

Please Note:
The Mediserv Cytology Training School in St. Kitts, is once again accepting registration for entry into the Gynecological Cytology Course. The new session commences on July 11th, 2013
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The Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap set the goal for a "second generation" malaria vaccine with 80% efficacy to be developed and available by 2025. This is feasible if WHO Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that member states and donor agencies invest in malaria vaccine are transmitted to people through the bites of infected research & development, and work to share information mosquitoes. According to the latest estimates, there were through a collaborative framework. The 2025 vaccine will IMMUNIZE AND AND PROTECT YOUR FAMILY about 219 million cases of malaria inPROTECT 2010 (withYOUR an FAMILYIMMUNIZE need to have a substantial impact on transmission if it is to uncertainty range of 154 million to 289 million) and an contribute to malaria elimination and the long-term aim of estimated 660 000 deaths (with an uncertainty range of 490 global malaria eradication. 000 to 836 000). Indeed, the disease accounts for 20% of all childhood deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. While most malaria Initiative for Vaccine cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin Research (IVR) America and, to a lesser extent, Europe and the Middle East The complexity of the malaria parasite makes development of are also affected. a malaria vaccine a very difficult task. Given this, there is Symptoms of malaria appear seven days or more (usually 10- currently no commercially available malaria vaccine, despite 15 days) after the infective mosquito bite. The first symptoms many decades of intense research and development effort. fever, headache, chills and vomiting may be mild and The most advanced vaccine candidate against the most deadly difficult to recognize as malaria. If not treated within 24 form of human malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, is hours, Plasmodium falciparum (the most deadly form of RTS,S/AS01. A phase 3 trial began in May 2009 and has human malaria) can progress to severe illness, often leading to completed enrollment with 15 460 children in the following death. seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina Faso, Gabon, The complexity of the malaria parasite makes development of Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and the United a malaria vaccine a very difficult task. Given this, there is Republic of Tanzania. There are two groups in the trial: 1) currently no commercially available malaria vaccine, despite children aged 5-17 months at first dose receiving only the many decades of intense research and development effort. The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine; and 2) children aged 6-12 weeks at first most advanced vaccine candidate against Plasmodium dose who receive the same malaria vaccine in cofalciparum is RTS,S/AS01. A phase 3 trial began in May administration with pentavalent vaccines in the routine 2009 and has completed enrollment with 15 460 children in immunization schedule. Both groups receive 3 doses of the following seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina RTS,S/AS01 vaccine at 1 month intervals. Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and the According to the current trial schedule, the phase 3 trial data United Republic of Tanzania. There are two groups in the required in order for WHO to consider making a policy trial: 1) children aged 5-17 months at first dose receiving only recommendation is expected to become available to WHO in the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine; and 2) children aged six - twelve late 2014. weeks at first dose who receive the same malaria vaccine doses in co-administration with pentavalent vaccines in the routine immunization schedule. Both groups receive 3 doses of RTS,S/AS01 vaccine at 1 month intervals. Based on the current trial schedule, the phase 3 trial data Extracted from hm.nlm.nih.gov/ required in order for WHO to consider making a policy recommendation is expected to be made available to WHO in late 2014. Depending on these full phase 3 results, the first WHO policy recommendations on use may occur in 2015.
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Malaria

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The Malarial Life Cycle

The life cycle of malaria parasites: A mosquito causes infection by taking a blood meal. First, sporozoites enter the bloodstream, and migrate to the liver. They infect liver cells, where they multiply into merozoites, rupture the liver cells, and return to the bloodstream. Then, the merozoites infect red blood cells, where they develop into ring forms, trophozoites and schizonts that in turn produce further merozoites. Sexual forms are also produced, which, if taken up by a mosquito, will infect the insect and continue the life cycle. http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/bowman/SSmalaria.htm

The blood film is the gold standard for malaria diagnosis.

Ring-forms and gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum in human blood

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Malaria Diagnosis (U.S.) Rapid Diagnostic Test

Advantages High-quality malaria microscopy is not always immediately available in every clinical setting where patients might seek medical attention or reference laboratories. Although this practice is discouraged, many healthcare settings either save blood samples for malaria microscopy until a qualified person is available to perform the test, or send the blood samples to commercial. These practices have resulted in long delays in diagnosis. The laboratories associated with these health-care settings may now use an RDT to more rapidly determine if their patients are infected with malaria. Disadvantages Binax NOW is the only brand of malaria RDT approved for use The use of the RDT does not eliminate the need for malaria in the United States. The picture above demonstrates a positive microscopy. The RDT may not be able to detect some infections with lower numbers of malaria parasites test for Plasmodium falciparum. (Howden BP et al. Chronic falciparum malaria causing massive splenomegaly 9 years after circulating in the patients bloodstream. Also, there is leaving an endemic area. MJA 2005; 185: 186-188. Copyright insufficient data available to determine the ability of this test to detect the 2 less common species of malaria, P. 2005. The Medical Journal of Australia - reproduced with ovale and P. malariae. Therefore all negative RDTs must be permission.) followed by microscopy to confirm the result. A Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) is an alternate way of quickly In addition, all positive RDTs should also followed by establishing the diagnosis of malaria infection by detecting specific malaria antigens in a person's blood. RDTs have recently microscopy. The currently approved RDT detects 2 different malaria antigens; one is specific for P. falciparum and the become available in the United States. other is found in all 4 human species of malaria. Thus, Technique microscopy is needed to determine the species of malaria that A blood specimen collected from the patient is applied to the was detected by the RDT. In addition, microscopy is needed sample pad on the test card along with certain reagents. After 15 to quantify the proportion of red blood cells that are infected, minutes, the presence of specific bands in the test card window which is an important prognostic indicator. indicate whether the patient is infected with Plasmodium falciparum or one of the other 3 species of human malaria. It is http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/rdt.html recommended that the laboratory maintain a supply of blood containing P. falciparum for use as a positive control.

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New Odor Sensor Found in Mosquitoes

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a new family of odor sensors that mosquitoes use to locate their prey. Their discovery could help explain the puzzling mechanisms behind the mosquitos sense of smell and further the discovery of new deterrents and traps. Funded by NIAID, the study was published in the journal PLoS Biology in August 2010. Mosquitoes olfactory system, or sense of smell, is crucial for their survival. Mosquitoes use it to identify mates and locate a host. While its importance is well-accepted, the exact mechanisms behind the mosquitos olfactory system are poorly understood. For about 10 years, scientists have been examining Anopheles gambiae, the primary vector of malaria, and studying a set of odor sensors called AgORs (A. gambiae odorant receptors). Now, the Vanderbilt team, led by Laurence Zwiebel, Ph.D., has discovered a new set of receptors, AgIRs (A. gambiae variant ionotropic receptors) by examining the larval olfactory system. Mosquito larvae are a good model because their olfactory system is simpler than that of adult mosquitoes, says Adriana Costero, Ph.D., a Program Officer in the NIAID Vector Biology Research Program. Using a simpler model within the same species is a novel way of studying vectors. In the latest study, Dr. Zwiebels team used gene silencing and behavioral analyses to confirm that the common insect repellent DEET activates a specific AgOR. They also identified genes that code for nearly 50 versions of the new type of receptor.

The AgIRs structure was found to be quite different than that of the AgOR receptors. This difference could help explain how mosquitoes are attracted to human odors. Such knowledge may prove critical in developing new traps and repellents to deter mosquitoes that spread infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, and West Nile virus. If we can prevent mosquitoes from finding us, we can prevent them from transmitting diseases, says Dr. Costero Reference
Liu C et.al Distinct Olfactory Signaling Mechanisms in the Malaria Vector Mosquito Anopheles gambiae. PLoS Biol 8(8): e1000467. doi:10.1371/journal. pbio. 1000467 (2010) http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/vector/Pages/mosquitoe OdorSensor.aspx

If we can prevent mosquitoes from finding us, we can

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BGM 2013
The Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists
BIENNIAL GENERAL MEETING & SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM October 22nd -26th, 2013 Atlantis, Paradise Island Nassau Bahamas
Before (July 1st, 2013) After (July 1st, 2013) CASMET/AMT Registrant Full Package Non-Members Students Spouse Supplier/Presenter/Exhibitor US $250.00 US $300.00 US $150.00 US $100.00 US $150.00 US $300.00 US $350.00 US $175.00 US $100.00 US $200.00

Register early and save

Full package includes: Admission to all Lectures, Exhibitions, Bahamian Night, & Awards Banquet

AwardsaAAwards Banquet, & BGM

RECCOMMENDATIONS: For Hotel Accommodations choose The Atlantis Beach Towers for Proximity to the Events and Restaurant Atlantis is a FAMILY RESORT so bring The Family and take advantage of the low rates that are 50% less than regular rates.
TOURS AND DAY AWAY FERRY RIDES WILL BE ARRANGED. For more information visit us at www.casmet1.org or contact bculmer@hotmail.com or lynettesaunders1067@yahoo.com

Tuesday (Lectures, Coffee Break) US $50.00 Wednesday (Lectures, Exhibition, Coffee Break) US $50.00 Thursday (Lectures, Exhibition, Coffee Break) US $50.00

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This Newsletter is a production of the Education Committee of the Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists

All rights reserved @ March 31St 2012

Education Committee Contact Information:

Earther Went (Chairperson): ewent@bcc.edu.bb Sashoy Duncan: sashoyforbes@hotmail.com Marcia Robinson- Walters: brian_0299@hotmail.com Delphia Theophane: djphia41@hotmail.com Tamara Chambers: tamara.chambers@ncu.edu.jm Janice Wissart: jwissart@yahoo.co.uk

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