enews

International Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine

Communications and Publications Division (CPD) of the IFCC
Editor: Katherina Psarra, MSc, PhD
IFCC Office, Via C. Farini, 81
20159 Milano, Italy
E-mail: enews@ifcc.org

news

№ 1/2
January /February 20241

enewsIn this issue
Editorial
Message from the eNews Editor

4

The voice of IFCC
Message from the IFCC President

5

Inspiration, Lessons and Counsel from Professor Jocelyn MB Hicks (1937-2023): In8

her Own Words
My Professional Exchange Management Program (PMEP) Experience at Clinical

12

Laboratory of Hospital Arnau de Vilanova in Lleida, Spain
Report from IFCC Professional Exchange Programme at Oslo Univerisity Hospital,

13

Hormone Laboratory, Olso, Norway
IFCC Abbott Visiting Lecture Programme 21st Congreso Internacional CNB,

14

Medellín, October 2023
Launch of the Global MedLab Week 202415

IFCC: the people
IFCC Call for Nominations

17

IFCC: the Young Scientists
TF-YS Clinical Case Discussions - Session 1: Endocrine cases

19

Contribute to IFCC eNews
Early diagnosis of maternal cytomegalovirus for improved management and21

reduced risk of fetal transmission and complications

News from Regional Federations and Member Societies
The Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (ACB – UK)

23changes its name to Association for Laboratory Medicine
Greetings and Farewell note of the EFLM President term 2022-2023

25

EFLM Welcomes Prof. Mario Plebani as New President of Executive Board

27

2

9th Annual Meeting of Saudi Society for Clinical Chemistry

28

The Iranian Association of Clinical Laboratory Doctors (IACLD) recognized as the30

first Iranian accreditation body in the Asia-Pacific Accreditation Cooperation(APAC)First Regional Conference of the Latin American Confederation of Clinical31

Biochemistry, COLABIOCLI
Japan Society of Clinical Chemisty (JSCC) 2023 Academic Award34

IFCC’s Calendar of Congresses, Conferences & Events
IFCC and Regional Federations events

38

Corporate Member events with IFCC auspices

39

Other events with IFCC auspices

39

3Editorial
Dear colleagues
This is the first IFFC eNews issue for 2024. A new year is in front of us,
full of activities and with an IFCC Worldlab in Dubai, full of promises.
This issue begins with our new IFCC President Prof Tomris Ozben’s
important first message.
Go through this full of significant content message, dear colleagues,
and you will learn a lot about IFCC brilliant future in accordance with
its wonderful past.
And what is the most suitable article to follow the second woman
IFCC President’s message, but the first woman IFCC President’s, thelate Prof. Jocelyn MB Hicks’ own words for inspiration, lessons andcounsel? Dr Sharon M. Geaghan offers us the opportunity to “hear”
Jocelyn Hicks’ voice guiding us and especially us, women scientists,
in life and work and science. You will be definitely moved by her words
and you will feel a kind of empowerment, of support. Do try to mimic
her, dear colleagues.

Katherina Psarra, MSc,
PhD, eNews Editor

Two ladies, Dr Maria Del Carmen and Dr Maria Schroeder, Chair andmember of the Committee on Public Relations together with the
Past Chair, Prof. Rajiv Erasmus, who played such an important role in
Global Medlab week launching, are inviting us as national societies
to participate in the Global Medlab week 2024 with the inspiring title“Labs save lives”.
News from EFLM and the national societies (Saudi, Iran, COLABIOCLI,Japan), from the IFCC PMEP and VLP programs, endocrine cases
presented by the TF-YS, a new clinical care group of scientists
awarded the UNIVANTS excellence award complete this first 2024
issue of the IFCC eNews.
Happy New Year, dear colleagues and don’t forget to read and tocontribute to the eNews.

Katherina

4

The voice of IFCC
Message from the new IFCC President - Prof. Tomris
Ozben
January 2024
By Tomris Ozben

Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Stepping into the role as the President of the International Federation ofClinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) Executive Board is not
only a tremendous honor, but also a great privilege for me. I am excitedabout the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead as I embark on myjourney of serving the IFCC community, commencing my term on January
1st, 2024. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the IFCC member
societies within the 6 IFCC Regional Federations for their kind support
and trust. I sincerely appreciate their confidence and assure them that I
am fully committed to deserving their trust. I am dedicated to contributing
my time, expertise, knowledge, and energy to enhance the functions andactivities of IFCC.
Taking on a leadership position, with other dedicated members of the
IFCC Executive Board, IFCC officers, Regional Federations, National
Societies, and Corporate members, our collective mission is to strengthen
the robust foundations on which the Federation stands. Our efforts will
be centered on identifying new opportunities and formulating innovative
strategies that empower Laboratory Medicine to play a crucial role inpatient care. Our goal is to ensure that the IFCC continues to stand as theleading global organization representing Laboratory Medicine worldwide.

Prof. Tomris Ozben
EuSpLM, Ph.D.

IFCC demands a dedicated and proficient management team. The
President, along with the members of the new IFCC Executive Board andofficers of the IFCC Functional Units, will devote both commitments, timeand effort. The day-to-day operations of IFCC will be managed efficiently
by the exceptional capacity, enthusiasm, and efforts of the IFCC officesecretaries working closely with IFCC officers. Our aim is not just to
sustain, but to enhance IFCC functions and activities, making significant
contributions to the advancement of Laboratory Medicine and thegrowth of its professionals. We are set to carry the IFCC flag even higher,
maintaining past initiatives and introducing new projects. The collective
expertise, knowledge, and fresh ideas from the Executive Board members
and IFCC officers, working with enthusiasm across various functional
units, will drive this progress. We emphasize the importance of close
collaboration with IFCC Regional Federations, IFCC Member Societies,
and Corporate Members, encouraging their active participation in all IFCC
activities.
I express my sincere thanks and congratulations to Prof. Khosrow Adeli
for his outstanding leadership, motivating and encouraging IFCC officers
and Executive Board members to actively engage in numerous IFCC
projects. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the former IFCC Presidents,
outgoing members of the IFCC Executive Boards, and officers of the5Message from the
IFCC President

Functional Units for their exceptional contributions, voluntary services, knowledge, andenthusiasm over the years. Their dedication has played a crucial role in building a resilient andcontinually advancing Federation, establishing it as a leading organization in laboratory medicine
worldwide, providing high-quality healthcare services to its members. We will always remember
and deeply appreciate their significant contributions. Although they may no longer hold activeroles, we are confident that their interests and contributions to the IFCC will endure. We lookforward to working closely with them, drawing upon their extensive experience and knowledge forthe benefit of IFCC.
In recent years, IFCC’s activities have experienced steady growth. The substantial services andcontributions of IFCC to the enhancement of Laboratory Medicine are widely acknowledged.
This remarkable success is attributed to the voluntary service, dedication, and time invested byover 300 laboratory scientists from Member Societies and Corporate Members, serving acrossvarious IFCC Functional Units. Our heartfelt gratitude extends to the IFCC officers representing
Member Societies and Corporate Members for their unwavering support throughout the years.
Their ongoing commitment and loyalty have played a pivotal role in the successful execution ofnumerous IFCC tasks and projects.
I firmly believe that advancing healthcare through Laboratory Medicine relies on the active
engagement and dedicated involvement of IFCC Member Societies, Corporate Members, and
IFCC officers of the Functional Units. Their collective efforts play a pivotal role in steering our
profession toward the objectives and direction which will be outlined in the new IFCC Strategic
Action Plans, set to be implemented in the coming years. These plans will be meticulously craftedin collaboration with the IFCC Executive Board, IFCC Functional Units, IFCC National Societies, andCorporate Members, incorporating their valuable suggestions, ideas, and comments in formulating
the IFCC Strategic Action Plans. This inclusive approach ensures that the IFCC Strategic Action
Plans are a true reflection of the diverse perspectives and expertise within our community.
Success in this evolving landscape requires collaborations among industry, public, private, andacademic drivers of innovation. The IFCC Executive Board values and welcomes the input ofideas, comments, suggestions, criticisms and the sharing of challenges and concerns from IFCC
National Societies and IVD Industry Partners. We particularly encourage young scientists toactively engage and play fundamental roles in IFCC activities. We invite all IFCC community toactively participate in IFCC’s endeavors, fostering collaboration to strengthen IFCC’s leadershiprole in advancing laboratory medicine, integrated diagnostics and enhancing the quality ofhealthcare and medical laboratories globally. Your engagement and contributions are crucial as wecollectively strive towards these shared goals. Your feedback, participation, and engagement will
be integral in steering laboratory medicine forward and shaping the future of our profession.
Achieving our shared objectives requires collaborative action and effort. To facilitate this, wewill establish an interactive global platform for IFCC members in laboratory medicine, colleagues
from the in vitro diagnostic industry, digital health, and medical devices. This platform will provide
opportunities for interaction, sharing, and learning through networking discussions on trends,
opportunities, and challenges. The aim is to deliver the latest innovations and cutting-edge
technologies in laboratory medicine, establish partnership models for the efficient integration andadoption of emerging technologies, prepare for the new in vitro diagnostic regulations in Europe
and beyond, transition to green and sustainable medical laboratories, harmonize and standardize
laboratory tests, and enhance collaborations in education and research. This platform will serve asa dynamic space for collective advancement in our field.

Article continued on the next page6

Message from the
IFCC President

I am looking forward to fostering productive cooperation with the IFCC Executive Board members
and officers, establishing collaborations and efficient bridges with the IFCC Regional Federations,
National Societies and Corporate Members in the ongoing and future activities of IFCC. I wish you
all an excellent New Year with new hopes and plans for the year ahead.
With my best regards
Prof. Dr Tomris Ozben
IFCC President

7Inspiration, Lessons and Counsel from Professor Jocelyn MB
Hicks (1937-2023): In her Own Words
By Sharon M. Geaghan MD, Consultant, IFCC C-ETPLM

The recent passing of Prof. Jocelyn M B Hicks, PhD, FACB, FRC Path on October 7, 2023, was anespecially profound loss for the international pediatric laboratory medicine community. Born in
England, Jocelyn earned a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in London, qualified in clinical chemistry in DC and became
a Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology at the George Washington University Medical Center in
Washington DC. In Jocelyn’s extraordinary career, she established herself as a founding scientistof our field of pediatric laboratory medicine. She was a leader in the creation of the International
Association of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, later incorporated into the IFCC.
A prodigious investigator, her papers, books, invited lectures and awards manifest her exceptional
talents and accomplishments. For those who did not have the opportunity to read the beautiful andcomprehensive “Farewell to Professor Jocelyn MB Hicks - IFCC President 2006-2008” contributed
by IFCC’s Past President Graham Beastall, please see the November issue of IFCC news1. This
perfect tribute details the many ways in which she achieved and received professional recognition,nationally and internationally.
It has been often repeated by those who knew Jocelyn that she will be dearly missed. But her
work is not finished. She can continue as an inspiration. Seventeen years ago, as she assumed the
IFCC Presidency, Jocelyn published her goals, which ring true today. The following includes guiding
principles which she exemplified; as well as aspirational goals, lessons, and counsel we can continue
to learn from, reprised as much as possible in her own words.
Representation of and equity in laboratory medicine for marginalized professionals, peoples,
countries
In her own words:” I am proud of my ‘firsts by a female’, including being elected as the youngest
member (male or female) to be president of AACC and the only woman to be president of theInternational Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) in its 60-year history.
My advice to young females in the field is to be a colleague and a resource to the medical staff; learn
why tests are ordered and how they are interpreted. For the first 7 years of my career, I went onmorning rounds and learned a great deal. Listen to the laboratory staff and be physically present
in the laboratory on a daily basis if possible. Finally, read journals, and keep up with the science andmedicine! I still read and follow the scientific literature, particularly Clinical Chemistry and the New
England Journal of Medicine”. She expressed this hope:” More women need to study science atthe doctoral level.” Now, in 2024, we have seen women achieve tremendous accomplishments, but
as a group, women still lag in progression in academic rank and salary. Today, women and men ofcolor are underrepresented in membership and leadership of scientific and academic communities.
Jocelyn stated in 2016:” I have experienced salary discrepancies and rank discrimination2.” Today,
as exemplified in the most recent American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) survey, white
men were paid a higher median compensation than men of other races and women of all races/
ethnicities. The report concluded “Gender was the primary factor driving compensation inequities;
men consistently made more than women of the same race/ethnicity. Among faculty in clinicalscience departments/ specialties with MD degrees, women across races and ethnicities were paid
between $0.67 and $0.77 per $1.00.”3. It is up to us to continue Jocelyn’s pioneering spirit and makethese realities disappear.
One of Dr. Hick’s aspirational goals as IFCC President was written:” Determine the need of developing
countries and meet what we can of these needs. Two such programs are already underway: Visiting
Lecturers’ program; and the Professional Scientific Exchange program”4. Her commitment manifested
in action. Together with other stakeholders, Jocelyn helped establish the African

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Professor Jocelyn MB Hicks(1937-2023): In her Own Words

Federation of Clinical Chemistry, which became an IFCC member, carried forth by the good leaders
who have followed. Our continued, collective efforts can extend this progress.
Visionary Leadership Driven by Humanity, Consensus-Building, and a Commitment to
Mentorship
Visionary thinking is bold. It is about seeing the world as it could be, not just as it has been or istoday. This is how leaders such as Jocelyn shape the future. Jocelyn’s horizons extended so far
beyond the technical performance characteristics of an analytic test. She looked at the big pictureand never forgot that every sample represents a human being, and that vision inspired her mostimpactful legacies. In turn, she made one of her goals as President to “Encourage the Executive
Board to do more visionary thinking and to set priorities “4. It is the forward-thinking IFCC leaders –Jocelyn, and those that came before and after Jocelyn – that have led the organization to constantly
seek new possibilities to create a better future for the global community.
During her Presidency Jocelyn demonstrated how the IFCC can facilitate consensus-building tocreate international agreement for important issues in laboratory medicine. She organized (withGraham Beastall and others) and raised funds for the first consensus meeting in Milan, Italy on May
4, 2007, where the new IFCC reference system for HbA1c was recognized as the singular valid anchor
to implement measurement standardization. It was agreed that HbA1c results would be reported
worldwide in IFCC units (mmol/mol) and derived NGSP units (%), using the IFCC-NGSP master equation.
Clinicians and scientists alike embraced the use of the IFCC reference method for calibration
purposes, and the standardization process5,6. This consensus meeting (the first of several) had thebold goal of ensuring that worldwide understanding of reported and upcoming scientific HbA1c results
could be understood by the global audience of doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists and diabetic
patients and families. This was a foundational step on the path to the central role that HbA1c has in
the diagnosis and management of diabetes. What an enormous achievement!
Numerous testimonials from colleagues over the world express appreciation for Jocelyn’s exceptional
efforts to mentor young or less experienced colleagues, and the value of her counsel.
A Founding Mother of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine
In clinical chemistry Professor Hicks recognized that children needed a voice – and she becamea leader in advocating for special techniques, reference intervals, and development of pediatricexpertise in laboratory medicine. Her work on many pediatric reference intervals in clinicalchemistry with Steve Soldin and Nadir Rifai, and later with Carlos Brugnara, in collaboration with
Ortho Diagnostics was compiled in serial editions of Pediatric Reference Intervals (AACC) and
was foundational work in pediatric reference intervals. These reference intervals were usedby laboratories for pediatric patients around the world. She and her colleagues began holding
International Congresses of Laboratory Medicine (Pediatric) beginning in Jerusalem in 1980 and every
3 years thereafter. At the 6th Congress in Vancouver, Canada (1995), the founding of a professional
association was formalized: the International Association of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine(IAPLM). The four stated goals were to “enhance the science and practice of paediatric laboratory
medicine; advance the interests of pediatric clinical pathologists and scientists through continuing
education; providing camaraderie and a network among international leaders in laboratory
medicine; recognizing outstanding contributions in the field”. A Constitution, Bylaws and criteria
for membership were created. Membership in IAPLM had extended to 15 countries as of 2002, asrecorded in a history by Jocelyn and Klaus Kohse.7. The IAPLM was merged into the IFCC in 2005.
Accessible Scholarship with a purpose
Jocelyn’s scholarship had influence and literally daily use over a remarkable period. For example, The
Neonate : clinical biochemistry, physiology, and pathology (1976), for which Jocelyn served as

Article continued on the next page9

Professor Jocelyn MB Hicks(1937-2023): In her Own Words

co-editor with Donald S. Young, and the Biochemical Basis of Pediatric Disease, with Steven
Soldin, Nader Rifai became classic references. These unique and valued contributions bridged
principles of biochemistry, pathogenesis, and the key laboratory parameters and clinicopathologicalmanifestations of neonatal disorders. Together with co-editors Donald S. Young and Nader Rafai,
Jocelyn edited the inimitable Directory of Rare Analyses (DORA). DORA was the trusted, every day,“go-to” compendium for laboratorians trying to solve challenging patient cases with unusual testingneeds. DORA was published (with various co-editors) for three decades. Accordingly, Jocelyn wrote
one of her goals as President was to: “Encourage both scientific and educational articles in eJIFCC”4,a journal which is both highly accessible, useful and inclusive.
Ambassadorship from our discipline and organization
Jocelyn was a role model as an ambassador from our discipline. One of her aims was to highlightthe central role of laboratory medicine in clinical medicine. Together with Mauro Panteghini, Jocelyn
best summarized her view of our discipline and our organization: “Laboratory Medicine is recognized
as a science that underpins Medicine. It has an important role in the diagnostic process, in themonitoring of disease and therapy, in prevention and risk stratification. By inter-disciplinary dialogue
with clinicians, the validity and the utility of laboratory tests are continuously evaluated and linked
with clinical outcome. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine(IFCC) has, as part of its mission, ‘to be the leading organization of clinical Laboratory Medicine
worldwide.’ Through leadership and innovation, the IFCC strives to enhance the scientific level
and the quality of diagnosis and therapy for patients worldwide. It is because of the necessity tostress this link between good laboratory science and the physician that the IFCC decided, with thegenerous contribution of Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics (OCD), to start a bi-annual series of Conferenceson ‘Clinical Diagnosis and the Clinical Laboratory’ designed to emphasize this link in specialized areasof Medicine, while always keeping the patient in mind.”8
Let’s take a deep bow to the founding mother, the humanist, the scientist, the creative spirit andbeacon of hope that Jocelyn was, and is, with our collective gratitude. Our best tribute is to follow
her lead and try to finish the work she has left for us to do.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.alvahhalloranandson.com for the Hicks-Brody family.
References
1. IFCC enews. Farewell to Professor Jocelyn MB Hicks - IFCC President 2006-2008.
Communications and Publications Division (CPD) of the IFCC. No.11.November 2023. https://
pub-180a8d00f517477ba49634e6b2b147e3.r2.dev/2023/11/IFCCeNewsNov2023-3.pdf. Accessed
November 30, 2023.
2. Haymond S, Saenger AK, Free HM, Hicks JM, Huestis MA, Horvath AR, Fantz CR. Altering thelandscape for women in clinical chemistry: perspectives from multigenerational leaders. Clin
Chem. 2012 Jul;58(7):1082-5.
3. AAMC Report. Exploring Faculty Salary Equity at U.S. Medical School by Gender and Race/
Ethnicity. https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/workforce/report/exploring-faculty-salary-equity-usmedical-schools-gender-and-race/ethnicity.
4. Hicks JM. Aims of IFCC and my own goals. Indian J Clin Biochem. 2006 Sep; 21(2):1-3.
5. Consensus Committee. Consensus statement on the worldwide standardization of thehemoglobin A1C measurement: the American Diabetes Association, European Association for
the Study of Diabetes, International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine,and the International Diabetes Federation. Diabetes Care. 2007 Sep;30(9):2399-400. doi: 10.2337/
dc07-9925. PMID: 17726190.
6. Hanas R, John G, International HbA(1c) Consensus Committee. 2010 consensus statement on theworldwide standardization of the hemoglobin A1c measurement. Clin Chem. 2010 Aug;56(8):13624.

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Professor Jocelyn MB Hicks(1937-2023): In her Own Words

7.
8.

Kohse KP, Hicks JM. A World-Wide Pediatric Laboratory Medicine Network – The International
Association of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine (IAPLM). J Lab Med 2002; 26 (5/6):315-316.
Panteghini M, Hicks JM. Biochemical markers in clinical cardiology: perspectives from present
to future.1st IFCC-Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Conference on Clinical Diagnosis and the ClinicalLaboratory. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2008;46(11):1483-4.

Joycelyn Hicks

11

My Professional Exchange Management Program (PMEP)
Experience at Clinical Laboratory of Hospital Arnau deVilanova in Lleida, Spain
By Marcelo León Muñoz, Hospital Las Higueras, Talcahuano, Chile“I am Marcelo León Muñoz, a biochemist specialized in Clinical Laboratory, responsible for theEmergency Laboratory and the Preanalytical Laboratory at the Clinical Laboratory of Hospital Las
Higueras in Talcahuano, Chile. As a member of the Chilean Society of Clinical Chemistry, I had theopportunity to receive a scholarship granted by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Sciences (IFCC), specifically the Professional Management Exchange Program(PMEP). This allowed me to gain valuable experience during an one-month exchange at the ClinicalLaboratory of Hospital Arnau de Vilanova in Lleida, Spain.
During this exchange, I worked in the pre-analytical section, gaining insights into the organizationand coordination with peripheral extraction centers, quality management, and participation in an
external quality management program for this phase. Additionally, I learned about the managementof the pre-analytical phase in a territorial and multidisciplinary laboratory. This internship provided
me with a comprehensive understanding of the laboratory’s organization, its quality management
system, the operations of the Microbiology and Emergency laboratories, the organization andfunction of the Clinical Biochemistry core, the management of analytical quality indicators, and theapplication of the ISO 15189 standard. Throughout my stay, I actively participated in quality meetings,
coordination meetings, and training sessions within the service.
My time in Lleida was a wonderful experience. I encountered people who were friendly, cheerful, kind,and always willing to share their knowledge and experiences. From the very first day, they made me
feel like an integral part of the Lab team.
I extend my gratitude to the IFCC, its president Dr. Khosrow Adeli, the Chilean Society of Clinical
Chemistry, and its president Dr. Angélica Lagos. Special thanks to Dr. Mercè Ibarz for accepting me
into their laboratory and for the professional guidance during my stay. I appreciate all the individuals
with whom I worked and shared experiences during this enriching time.”

Marcelo León Muñoz at the Clinical Laboratory of Hospital

Marcelo León Muñoz with Dr. Mercè Ibarz, Clinical Laboratory

Arnau de Vilanova in Lleida, Spainof Hospital Arnau de Vilanova in Lleida, Spain

12

Report from IFCC Professional Exchange Programme
at Oslo University Hospital, Hormone Laboratory, Oslo,
NorwayBy Tara Rolić, EuSpLM, Osijek University Hospital, Osijek, Croatia

My first encounter with the IFCC Task Force Young Scientist was back in 2022 at EuroMedLab in
Munich during a meeting of young scientists. Since then, I’ve made some awesome friends and got
to know amazing colleagues from all around the world. It was at that meeting where I first heard
about the IFCC Professional Exchange Program and the chance to visit other labs to gain experiencein lab medicine, learn from experts, and make connections for future collaborations on a professionaland scientific level.
As I listened about IFCC PEP, I started thinking about the possibilities… Being a young specialist inlab medicine and a PhD student, I began my search by sending numerous emails. Just before the
IFCC closed their bursary applications in fall 2022, Prof. Per M. Thorsby made my day! He alreadyhad a candidate before me, knew about the program, and accepted me for three months at Oslo
University Hospital, Hormone Laboratory, Oslo, Norway. My excitement and happiness reached newheights when I received confirmation from IFCC that my application was approved! It took a lot ofeffort, it felt like an unreachable goal, but it was totally worth it!
I spent in Hormone Laboratory an amazing time, learning about lab organization, how the healthcare
system works, and observing the differences between Croatia and Norway labs. I delved into
the accreditation process in Norway, preanalytics, analytics, and postanalytics, advantages of
immunoassays vs. LCMS/MS methods. I even had the chance to work in cell and molecular labs andparticipate in research group meetings.
The hospitality and warm welcome from the entire lab staff surprised me; it felt like a home awayfrom home. I was included in all meetings, got to be part of the team, and actively discussed reallife clinical scenarios for diagnoses, therapy, and analytics. I was even invited to attend an annual
meeting on molecular diagnostics, where I learned about cutting-edge technology in gene analysis
and therapy – a completely new and exciting field for me. Moreover, I had an amazing opportunity
to discuss with colleagues about the indirect method for calculating reference intervals. The
experienced experts at the Hormone Laboratory really impressed me. Planning future collaborations
with them and staying in contact after returning to Croatia, made me feel like I had always been
there, but time flew away so quickly in that great and professional company. In this once-in-alifetime experience, I found myself loving lab medicine even more. IFCC PEP enriched my private,
professional, and scientific life in every positive way, and I’ll be forever grateful to the people who
made this program possible. A big shutout to Per, all the members of the Hormone Lab, and a special
thank you to IFCC Office and Silvia Cardinale, Prof. Adeli, Osijek University Hospital, and Sanja and
Vesna for setting up my pathway in thyroid diseases.
Tusen takk!

Oslo University Hospital, Hormone Laboratory, from left to right: Attiq,
Per, Alexander, Sandra, Oskar, Ingunn, Finn Erik, Julie and Tara

13

IFCC Abbott Visiting Lecture Programme 21st CongresoInternacional CNB, Medellín, October 2023
By Carlos A. von Muhlen, MD, PhD, Senior Consultant in Rheumatology and Clinical Pathology, San Diego, USA, Mentorof the Residency Program in Rheumatology, Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brasil.

In October 2023, I was privileged to take part in the 21st International CNB Congress in Medellín,
Colombia. It was my first visit to that country. This gathering convened specialists in laboratory
medicine, bacteriologists as they are called in Colombia. My involvement in this congress was marked
by the cordial reception I received from the organizing committee, and my active role in presenting
two lectures.
Lectures Presented
I had the opportunity to present two key lectures during the congress. My initial lecture,“Autoanticuerpos en enfermedades reumáticas inflamatorias sistémicas: lo nuevo e importante”
centered on the newest advances in the understanding and comprehension on the field ofautoantibodies as biomarkers for disease diagnosis, classification, and follow-up of therapies.
My second conference was on “Actualización sobre autoanticuerpos en miopatías inflamatorias
idiopáticas”, which directed the audience to the important role of the laboratory in the diagnosis,
classification and determination of prognosis in the autoimmune myositis field. Both subjects
struck an important participation from the audience, leading to a productive exchange of ideas andpotential strategies for positive changes in this particular field in Colombia.
Networking and Prospective Collaborations
Beyond the lectures, the congress served as an excellent platform for networking. I engaged inmeaningful dialogues with fellow professionals, paving the way for future collaborations. Bridging
the gap between clinical medicine and the clinical laboratory is a major goal for my participation incongresses in the field.
In summary, my attendance at the 21st International CNB Congress in Colombia was a great personal
experience. The cordial reception by the organizing committee, combined with the chance to share
my work and interact with other experts, was invaluable. I am looking forward to taking part in futurescientific meetings, aiming at advancing the field of clinical chemistry.

Dr. von Mühlen received the best local treatment,
including a Colombian typical outfit.

14

GLOBAL MEDLAB WEEK 2024
We first would like to thank you for your fundamental support of the IFCC and its
initiatives related to Laboratory Medicine profession.
As you know, from 2022, IFCC has launched a new initiative entitled “IFCC Global
Lab Medicine Week” which will be carried out in April each year. The Global Medical
Lab Week celebrations is now in its
third year. Its role is to highlight the vital role of the clinical laboratory professionals in health care,public health and the diagnosis of disease. The recent COVID19 epidemic highlighted the critical rolelaboratory professionals played in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with COVID19. In 2023
the GMLW took place from 23 to 29th April and was principally organized by the Committee on Public
Relations (C-PR), a subcommittee of the CPD Committee. Several countries developed press releases,
scientific activities, activities between scientific societies and the families of their members topublicize the profession of the clinical laboratory professional and such activities were also promoted
on social networks in which photos, logos of the week and videos made by different professionals intheir laboratories were shared.
IFCC is very appreciative of all the cooperation given to GMLW 2023, which has led to the increased
activity on IFCC’s social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and podcasts on Spotify.
Launching of GMLW 24
The GMLW theme in 2024 will be “Labs save lives”. We are requesting all regional federations andtheir respective member societies to participate actively in GMLW 24. This is an opportunity for all
the regional federations and their member societies to come on board. It is up to all of us individuallyand collectively to advance the vision of IFCC in which the active role of laboratory professionals
is embedded in. To achieve the goal of recognizing and celebrating the role of Specialists in Lab
Medicine and other lab professionals in improving health and patient care in every corner of theworld we kindly ask you to support the following activities which are divided into 2 sections and to
inform us in which type of activity you would like to participate.
Section 1:(a)
Preparation of short videos between 2-4 minutes in which clinicians share their experiences
explaining how the laboratory and laboratory professionals have made a significant 		contribution to patient care. Videos should be submitted by 15th March 2024(b)
Preparation of podcasts of between 4-8 minutes. Guidelines will be sent for (a) and (b) in thenext 2-3 weeks.
The best 10 videos and 4 podcasts will be awarded a prize: free registration for Congress in
Dubai 2024 in person or online format. The creator of the best video will additionally receive
financial help to travel to Congress in Dubai. The winner videos will be professionally editedby IFCC and will be shown during Congress Dubai 2024
Section 2:(a)
Lecture and webinar presentations in which laboratory and other professionals participate
and highlight the role of laboratory professionals(b)
Erection of banners depicting the laboratory professionals’ week by member societies at key
labs in their country(c)
Fun Runs (1 km) in which community takes part and focuses on a particular disease.
(d)
Erection of stall or small tables in lobbies/entrances to the hospital in which pamphlets areshared and distributed(e)Mini workshops(f)
Articles in newspapers highlighting the role of laboratories and laboratory professionals.

Article continued on the next page15

Global MedLab Week 2024

We would like to get urgent feedback as to which specific activities your society would like to support
and participate in 2024.
Regards,
Prof. Rajiv Erasmus (rte@sun.ac.za) Past Chair Committee on Public Relations
Dr Maria Del Carmen (mariapasquelc@yahoo.com) Chair Committee on Public Relations
Dr Maria Schroeder Member Committee on Public Relations

16

IFCC: the people
IFCC Calls for Nominations
Participate into IFCC activities and give your contribution! Review theopen positions and, if interested, contact your National or Corporate
Representative. Following call for nominations is currently open:
Task Force on Global Lab Quality (TF-GLQ)
1 position: Member - Call for nominations letter
Please send TF-GLQ nominations to cardinale@ifcc.org by 19th February
2024

Increasing visibility of Laboratory Medicine through scientific communication and social media
The On Demand content is now available

VIEW ON DEMAND
If you cannot see the above button:
Click here to view On DemandNews from the website

17

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18

IFCC: the Young Scientists
TF-YS Clinical Case Discussions
Session 1: Endocrine cases
By the IFCC Task force for Young Scientists (TF-YS)

On November 27, 2023, the first TF-YS Clinical Case Discussion took place virtually for young
scientists worldwide. The Clinical Case Discussions were launched by Dr. Udara Senarathne (IFCC TFYS full member) with the aim of providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences
across the fields of laboratory medicine within the young scientist community. For the inaugural
edition, two endocrine cases were selected for online presentation.
This session commenced with a warm welcome from the Chair of the IFCC TF-YS group, Dr. Santiago
Fares Taie. Subsequently, Dr. Udara Senarathne and Dr. Claudia Imperiali briefly explained the peer
review process and discussed the future plans for this project.
The discussion started with a great presentation by Dr. Élodie Lebredonchel from France on “A Novel
Transferrin variant impairs the diagnosis of alcohol abuse: Congenital disorder of glycosylation”.
She presented her excellent work, through which she received the first prize in the 1st International
Laboratory Medicine Case Contest organized by IFCC in collaboration with Mindray. Following hercase presentation, she shared several interesting tips with the audience on how to succeed inelaborating a case report.
The next speaker was presented by Dr. Rucita Severaj from South Africa, about the excellent case ofRetrospectively Diagnosed Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcaemia Following Total Parathyroidectomy
in an Asymptomatic Patient. Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is a rare autosomal dominantcondition and FHH shares features with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Differentiation of PHPTand FHH is possible clinically and biochemically. She pointed out that the effective and collaborative
communication between clinicians and the laboratory is crucial to arriving at a final diagnosis, which
can prevent unnecessary invasive procedures.
The last outstanding speech of this session was carried out by a young scientist from Hungary,
Dr Judit Gonda. She has presented her case titled “Pseudohyperkalemia, is it a simple case?”.
Hyperkalemia is a common clinical problem. However, Pseudohyperkalemia is a finding observed invitro after clotting in the serum samples tubes due to a high platelet concentration. She highlighted
that the laboratory specialists should keep in mind the phenomenon of pseudohyperkalemia to avoid
misdiagnoses and complementary tests.
In summary, the case presentations generated great interest from the audience. The interaction
between the authors and YS allowed for the sharing of experiences and questions regarding thecases presentations.
Altogether, and thanks to this first case discussion presentation, a path was established toencourage YS to disseminate their work and learn more about the process of publishing anddiscussing results, thus boosting laboratory medicine as a whole. The IFCC TF-YS members invitedthe audience to stay tuned for upcoming sessions that will be promoted on their social media
channels.

Article continued on the next page19

TF-YS ClinicalCase Discussions

20

Contribute to IFCC eNews
Early diagnosis of maternal cytomegalovirus for improved
management and reduced risk of fetal transmission andcomplications
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that can infect people of all ages, including pregnant
women. Babies born with a cytomegalovirus infection, or congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), canbe at higher risk for serious complications. Accordingly, cCMV is the leading cause of non-genetic
hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disabilities in children. The highest risk of fetal infectionis among mothers experiencing a primary infection (new infection) during the first and second
trimesters of pregnancy, however, transmission can occur if a pre-existing infection is reactivatedduring pregnancy.
Diagnosis of cCMV can be complex, as newborn presentation can range in severity. It is estimatedthat 90% of babies born with cCMV will be asymptomatic and suffer no health impairments or visible
delays. However, some asymptomatic newborns may have complications, including hearing loss,
mild vision loss and/or communication delays. Lastly, babies born with symptoms of cCMV are athigher risk for severe and potentially devastating complication, including vision and hearing loss,
microcephaly, enlarged spleen and liver, and in some cases, death.
While currently no standard exists for universal CMV screening during pregnancy, and in many
countries, routine CMV screening during pregnancy is not recommended, it is likely that CMV
prevalence and impact are underestimated due to lack of newborn screening. Thus, an integrated
care team at National Reference Center for Herpesvirus, University Hospital Center, in Limoges,
France sought to implement a universal CMV screening program for pregnant mothers to improveearly diagnosis and treatment.
Since inception of their Universal CMV screening program in 2020, the number of pregnant women
identified with a CMV infection has increased by 16 (from 10 CMV positive women to 26), representing
a 2.6-fold increase in earlier identification. This has corresponded to a 23% reduction (from 50%
to 27%) in cCMV transmission from CMV-positive pregnant mothers to their babies, including full
mitigation of 11 transmissions attributable to early identification and treatment.
For their efforts and outcomes, this integrated clinical care team was awarded the UNIVANTSof Healthcare Excellence award recognition of Distinction. Congratulations to Sébastien Hantz,
Professor,Bacteriology-Virology-Hygiene, Perrine Coste-Mazeau, Doctor, Obstetric department
Sophie Alain, NRC for Herpesvirus, Elodie Ribot, NRC for Herpesvirus, Melissa Mayeras, NRC for
Herpesvirus.
For more information on this best practice and others, please visit www.univantsHCE.com.

From L to R: Perrine Coste-Mazeau, Sebastien
Hantz and Sophie Alain

21

FOR SOMETHINGGREATERThe UNIVANTS of Healthcare Excellence Award
program celebrates teams who have achieved measurably
better outcomes in healthcare.
If you are a team of UNIFIERS who have applied
AVANT-GARDE approaches to achieve better healthcare
outcomes, learn more and apply at UnivantsHCE.com.

© 2023 Abbott. All rights reserved. ADD-125780-GBL-EN

22

News from Regional Federations and Member
Societies
The Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory
Medicine (ACB – UK) changes its name to Association forLaboratory Medicine
The Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine have announced our namechange to the Association for Laboratory Medicine as well as revealed a new logo and branding.
As well as the name, we have changed our logo - we have incorporated the motif of a zero and one
to represent how we use data, science and technology to support human health.
As we evolve, we continue to build an influential, diverse and inclusive community of scientists,
clinicians, innovators, collaborators, and researchers. This new name and brand better reflect ourcurrent members, is open and inclusive to new members in other disciplines in laboratory medicine.
This will support our ambition of becoming the voice of laboratory medicine for our members, ourpartners and the general public.
As a membership organisation we need to change and innovate in order to respond to our members’
needs as well as the changing environment that impacts on laboratory medicine. We are confident
the new brand will attract a new generation of members and sustain the excellent work of ourmembers.
We must continue growing membership with our current target audience, particularly in fields
of immunology and microbiology which are currently underrepresented in membership, but also
diversify our membership to other fields of laboratory medicine.
The new brand supports our ambitions to grow our influence in the sector working with a wider rangeof stakeholders and partners including through our corporate membership programme.
Association President Katharine Hayden said: “The evolution of our name better reflects the breadthof our membership and provides us with the opportunity to bring together scientists who play a keyrole in influencing best practice in service delivery and diagnostic innovation, and to respond to thechanging roles and clinical practice of professionals across Laboratory Medicine.”“Our new brand celebrates the fields of science and medicine working together, emphasisingpartnerships and the vital role of knowledge in advancing health,” said CEO Victoria Logan. “Thisrebrand underscores our commitment to our values of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability”.

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24

Greetings and Farewell note of the EFLM President - term
2022-2023
By Prof. Dr Tomris Ozben, EuSpLM, Ph.D.
Specialist in Medical Biochemistry
President ELFM – term 2022-2023

Dear Colleagues, and Friends,
It has been a great honour and privilege for me to serve the EFLM community as the President of
the EFLM during the term 2022 and 2023. Throughout my tenure, my commitment has been focusedon maintaining the EFLM’s position as the leading organization representing Laboratory Medicine inEurope.
Assuming a leadership role, together with other motivated members of the EFLM Executive Board
and EFLM officers, my main focus was directed towards strengthening the solid foundations of theFederation. Our work was to identify new opportunities and strategies, enabling Laboratory Medicine
to exert its crucial role in patient care.
In recent years, EFLM activities have experienced steady growth through collaborative efforts
with EFLM national societies and, in vitro diagnostic (IVD) industry partners. They joined actively to
EFLM in its endeavours, working together to share comments, suggestions, and challenges and tostrengthen the leadership role of EFLM in advancing laboratory medicine as well as in improving thequality of healthcare and medical laboratories in Europe.
The significance of EFLM’s services and contributions to the enhancement of Laboratory Medicine
is widely acknowledged. This remarkable success to building, growing, and promoting laboratory
medicine is attributed to the voluntary service, dedicated effort, and time generously provided byover 200 laboratory scientists from member societies working across various EFLM Functional Units. I
extend my gratitude to the EFLM officers and member societies for their continuous support, loyalty,
and invaluable contributions that have enabled the successful completion of numerous EFLM tasks
and projects. My sincere thanks to all of them, as well as to the EFLM Executive Board members
and Silvia & Terry (Silvia Cattaneo and Silvia Terragni) for their exceptional capacity, enthusiasm andefforts in efficiently managing the hard-daily work of EFLM and EFLM office.
Now, I confidently pass the torch of EFLM to my successor, Prof. Mario Plebani, 2024-2025 EFLM
President. With his wisdom and leadership, I have no doubt, he will steer our federation through newchallenges and towards new achievements.

Prof. Dr Tomris Ozben,

EFLM bursaries ceremony at the EFLM booth during WorldLab-EuroMedLab, May 2023, Rome,

EuSpLM, Ph.D., Specialist in

Italy.

Medical Biochemistry (20222023)

Article continued on the next page25

Greetings and Farewell note of the
EFLM President term 2022-2023

Listed below are some of the important EFLM activities, achievements and projects developed andestablished during the past two years (2022-2023).
3rd EFLM Strategic Conference
The 3rd EFLM Strategic Conference entitled “SMART and GREEN LABORATORIES. How to
implement IVDR, Emerging Technologies and Sustainable Practices in Medical Laboratories”
was held from 25th to 27th May 2022.
According to the EFLM Procedure Manual, the preparation of the EFLM Strategic Conference isinitiated under the coordination of the President-Elect. So, I initiated the preparations for the 3rd
Scientific Conference, consulting and collaborating with the EFLM officers and EFLM nationalsocieties. The objective was to create an inspirational and exceptional program, which included thecareful selection of cutting-edge and innovative topics, as well as identifying and inviting new expert
speakers and scientific chairs.
Click here to read the full article

26

EFLM Welcomes Prof. Mario Plebani as New President of
Executive Board
Commencing his position as EFLM president in 2024, Prof. Plebani brings extensive experience andexpertise, poised to guide the European laboratory medicine community, joined by a team of equally
motivated individuals on the Executive Board, each contributing their unique skills and perspectives
to the organization. The EFLM Executive Board includes distinguished professionals:
•
•
•
•
•

Past President: Dr. Tomris Ozben from the Department of Medical Biochemistry at Akdeniz
University, Turkey
President-Elect: Dr. Tomas Zima from the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostic
at Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Secretary: Dr. Snezana Jovicic from the Department for Medical Biochemistry at the University ofBelgrade, Serbia.
Treasurer: Dr. Klaus P. Kohse from the Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine at
the University Medicine Oldenburg, Germany.
Members at Large: Dr. Pilar Fernandez-Calle from the Department of Laboratory Medicine at
Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain, and Dr. Dalius Vitkus from the Centre of Laboratory
Medicine at Vilnius University, Lithuania.

Together, this dynamic team is poised to lead the EFLM with a shared vision and commitment toadvancing the field of laboratory medicine in Europe.
Among the priorities outlined by Prof. Plebani are initiatives to ensure an appropriate and adequate
workforce, fostering new vocations, and promoting career development opportunities for young
scientists. Additionally, the new Executive Board aims to contribute to the improvement of theEuropean Directive on in vitro diagnostics (IVDR) and advance harmonization and standardizationin laboratory medicine to ensure the comparability of laboratory information. As the EFLM sets its
sights on the future, the new Executive Board’s dedication and strategic goals align with the broader
mission of enhancing the quality and effectiveness of laboratory medicine practices across Europe.
Members and stakeholders alike are optimistic about the positive impact that Prof. Plebani and his
team will bring during their tenure.
The entire laboratory medicine community extends its best wishes to the new EFLM Executive
Board, anticipating a period of successful collaboration and advancements in the field over the next
two years.

Mario Plebani

279th Annual Meeting of Saudi Society for Clinical
Chemistry
5th – 7th December 2023, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
By Anwar Borai, SSCC representative to the IFCCThe Saudi Society for Clinical Chemistry held its 9thAnnual conference on 5th – 7th December
2023 in Jeddah. A pre-conference workshop was held on 5th December 2023 covering the topics
on Laboratory Leadership, Low Carbohydrates, Methamphetamine Toxicology, and postgraduate
studies programs.
The keynote speaker for the conference was Professor Khosrow Adeli, the President of International
Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC). The conference was accredited by Saudi Commission for
Health Specialties for 19 CMEs. More than 500 delegates attendied the meeting.
The Scientific Program included 11 sessions with more than 35 speakers, 65 posters, and 40
presentations. The speakers were from international (Australia, Canada, UAE, Oman, Syria), regionaland national.
This scientific program included sessions about cardiometabolic markers, biochemical genetics, andthe need to know on inborn errors of metabolism and its application in clinical practice. The sessions
also covered the importance of laboratory quality on auto-validation and reference intervals.
The Industry Workshop sessions provided by the collaborators presented the topics on the
diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and monoclonal gammopathy, lab future technologies, and cardiac
markers.
The event was also attended by some special guests namely Prof. Abdulrazak Hiddilli, ArabFederation for Clinical Biology (AFCB) representative to IFCC; Dr. Manal Shabaan, Tunisian Society ofClinical Biology (STBC) as well as the President of the Emirates Society Clinical Chemistry – UAE.
The exhibition court included booths of different collaborators namely Roche, Siemens, Snibe,
Abbott, QuidelOrtho, Binding Site, Siemens, Beckman, BD, and EMS.
By the end of the meeting there was Poster Session Awards Announcement with more than 65
posters printed, and 5 prizes for the 5 best posters.

First poster winner prize

Prof. Peter Brukner Australia (guest speaker).

Article continued on the next page28

9th Annual Meeting of Saudi
Society for Clinical Chemistry

Reference Intervals session discussion: Middle, Prof. Gassan

Prof. Abdelrazek Hedhili, Representative of (AFCB) to the IFCC

Shannan (Guest speaker), Syria; Right: Dr Hadi Khodari (United
Arab Emirates), left, Dr Anwar Borai (Saudi Arabia).

SSCC group gathering.

29

The Iranian Association of Clinical Laboratory Doctors(IACLD) recognized as the first Iranian accreditation bodyin the Asia-Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC)
By Shadi Edris, Accreditation Executive Manager, Iranian Association of Clinical Laboratory Doctors(IACLD)

IFCC congratulates IACLD, which is a member of IFCC, for successfully signing the MRA document as
an accreditation body and becoming a full member of APAC/ILAC. Recently, IFCC was informed that
the Iranian Association of Clinical Laboratory Doctors (IACLD) has succeeded in being recognized
as the first Iranian accreditation body in the Asia-Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) andthe International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) as a full-member that signed Mutual
Recognition Arrangements (MRA). The scope of this accreditation body is to accredit medicallaboratories based on the ISO 15189 standard and the criteria of the ILAC/APAC.
The general expectation from the services of laboratories is to have the necessary qualifications toperform the tasks correctly and to issue reliable results. For this reason, today, we are witnessing a
growing demand from laboratories to receive accreditation services by accreditation bodies because
it not only ensures the proper performance of activities in accordance with the requirements but also
provides the opportunities that test results are accepted by other economies without the need forre-testing.
In response to this expectation, IACLD supports patients by providing accreditation services
and accreditation certificates for applicant laboratories, and it facilitates the promotion of Global
acceptance of results issued by accredited laboratories.
IACLD is providing accreditation services by IACLD at the national, regional, and international levels
and enhancing stakeholders’ confidence in IACLD services.
The history of IACLD Membership and activity in scientific and international organizations andassemblies:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Membership and cooperation with the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine (IFCC)
Membership and Representation of the Asian Federation - Pacific Clinical Biochemistry andLaboratory Medicine in Iran (APFCB)
Cooperation with the European Federation of Laboratory Medicine (EFLM)
Membership in the Asia-Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Association (APLAC)
Membership in the Asia-Pacific Accreditation Association (APAC)
Membership in the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Accreditation
Application Form.

For receiving accreditation services from IACLD, applicants may complete the accreditation
application form IACLD-F18 through AB’s website and submit it to ab@iacld.ir along with therequested documents.

30

First Regional Conference of the Latin American
Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry, COLABIOCLI
By Dr. Álvaro Justiniano Grosz, President of COLABIOCLI and Dr. Rosa Sierra-Amor, Member eNews
Working Group, CPD IFCC

For the first time since the founding of the Latin American Confederation of Clinical Biochemistryin 1973, the first regional conference of COLABIOCLI was held with great success taking placein Guatemala City, Guatemala from November 21 to 22, 2013. This conference was organized
by COLABIOCLI EB taking place at the Hotel Las Americas and the host society to welcome theattendees has been the College of Chemical Biologists of Guatemala.

Article continued on the next page

31

COLABIOCLIThe first regional conference was conceived to bring together the member societies andcollaborators, as well as coordinators of working groups focusing on the continuous improvement of
COLABIOCLI’s strategic plan which was reviewed and updated through the agreements made at thisfirst regional conference.
The overall goal was to generate an open space for discussion and analysis between the structureof COLABIOCLI, both the Executive Committee and the operational units, the working groups and themember societies from the region, which allowed defining the global policy of COLABIOCLI, as wellas promoting the development of strategic plan inside COLABIOCLI member societies, encouraging
the implementation of quality management systems, the incorporation of young professionals
to the scientific community and the generation of links of interaction between the entity and theuniversities.
The specific objectives were focused on:•
the approval of the COLABIOCLI strategic plan up to 2026, defining the COLABIOCLI policy,•
the promotion of the development of strategic plan in the countries in accordance with the
COLABIOCLI policy,•
the design of a working plan and the organization of the COLABIOCLI working groups.
•
the structure of a program and a schedule of the activities for COLABIOCLI in 2024•
the establishment of a base document for the COALBIOCLI Policies in the Region
The program included several topics of interest, such as discerning the harmonized development
carried out by professional associations; reviewing universities’ curricula in relation to thehomologation of the different titles of the profession which are given to the clinical laboratory
professional in the Latin American region; promoting the professional development of young
scientists, and in addition focusing on the efforts of the associations in conjunction with COLABIOCLI
in the implementation of quality management systems, ISO 15189 accreditation and the use of
external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) for the clinical laboratory in Latin America.
Likewise, the presidents and delegates of COLABIOCLI affiliated member associations thatparticipated in this conference were from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Spain,
Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.
Click here to read the full article

Participants of the 1st regional conference of COLABIOCLI, Hotel Las Americas, Guatemala, Gua.

Article continued on the next page32

COLABIOCLI

Alvaro Justiniano-Grosz, president of COLABIOCLI, Ma

ROUNDTABLE 1. Strengthening COLABIOCLI Entities: Marlene

Elizabeth Menezes, president SBAC, Luis Fernando Barcelos,

Vélez de la Vega, CNB President; Ma Eugenia Leon, Delegate

vice president of COLABIOCLI and Rosa Sierra-Amor, Head of

ABP; Carola Briancon, COLABIOCLI Secretary General; Elena

COLABIOCLI Accreditation Management Working Group.

George, CMCLabC President; Juan Pablo Grammatico,
COLABIOCLI Facilitator; Alvaro Justiniano, COLABIOCLI
President, Julio Nieto-Ramos, President CONALAC.

33

Japan Society of Clinical Chemisty (JSCC) 2023 AcademicAward
By Hideo Sakamoto, Ph.D. International Exchange Committee of JSCC

The Academic Award of the Japan Society of Clinical Chemistry (JSCC) is
given to a person who has made outstanding academic research in clinicalchemistry. In 2023, Saori Nakagawa, Ph.D. was the winner of the Academic
Award. At the 63rd Annual Meeting of JSCC in Tokyo, Japan from October
27 to 29, 2023 award winner Dr. Saori Nakagawa was congratulated by
Dr. Takashi Miida, President of JSCC for her outstanding work in clinicalchemistry.
In this issue, we would like to introduce one of winners of Academic Award
to distribute her outstanding work.
Saori Nakagawa, Ph.D. (Division of Bio-Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of
Medical Technology, Niigata University of Pharmacy and Medical andLife Sciences) is the winner of the 2023 Academic Award, entitled with
“Development of determination for cholesterol precursors and oxysterols
and its application.”. Cholesterol is biosynthesized mainly in the liver,absorbed from food in the small intestine, and metabolized to oxysterols
and cholestanol. Measurements of cholesterol, its precursors, plant sterols,cholestanol, and oxysterols in plasma are useful in the diagnosis of inherited
disorders of cholesterol biosynthesis, malformation syndromes, familial
hypercholesterolemia, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis or sitosterolemia,
and the evaluation of the effects of drug administration. Herein, she hasreported the development of a new gas chromatography coupled with mass
spectrometry method for determining cholesterol, its related sterols, andoxysterols in plasma. Plasma pretreatments were performed as follows:
lipid extraction, sterol ester saponification, extraction with n-hexane, andtrimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatization. In the case of oxysterols, pretreatment
required an additional solid-phase extraction before TMS to remove excess
cholesterol. Cholesterol, five cholesterol precursors, three plant sterols,cholestanol, and twelve oxysterols were identified simultaneously using thismethod. This method was applied to patient blood samples and showedthat long-term administration of the cholesterol absorption inhibitor,
ezetimibe, promoted cholesterol biosynthesis through compensatory
effects. Furthermore, she was able to detect decreases in serum 7
β-hydroxycholesterol (7βOHC), the possibility of inhibiting the absorption offood-derived 7βOHC and diagnosed cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis andsitosterolemia. Moreover, 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24OHC) was identified asa potential marker for central nervous system disorders in phenylketonuria,
and the increase of 24OHC levels in the brain due to growth hormone
administration in small-for-gestational-age patients was measured. Applying
this method to cell cultured systems revealed that ergosterol containedin mushrooms, Latilactobacillus sakei, and soybean-derived daidzein
have inhibitory effects on cholesterol biosynthesis. Her future research
direction is to further apply the developed method for measuring cholesterol
biosynthesis, absorption and oxysterols in patient plasma samples and to
discover new biomarkers of disease and new functional foods that inhibit
cholesterol.

Saori Nakagawa
Ph.D, winner of the2023 Academic Award34

www.dubai2024.org

In cooperation with

Emirates Clinical Chemistry Society‫اﻟﺠﻤﻌﻴﺔ اﻹﻣﺎراﺗﻴﺔ ﻟﻠﻜﻴﻤﻴﺎء اﻟﺴﺮﻳﺮﻳﺔ‬26th International Congress ofClinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
17th Congress of Arab Federationof Clinical Biology
10th Saudi Society for Clinical
Chemistry Annual Meeting
8th UAEGDA International Genetic
Disorders Conference

More than 1700 abstracts submitted
15 March 2024
Deadline for reduced registration fees

Dubai World
Trade Centre (DWTC)

DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!
35

News from the IFCC Website
IFCC WorldLab 2024 abstracts submission: a new record for IFCC!

In cooperation with

Article continued on the next page36

News from the web

Have you already registerd?
Register here

Book your hotel

37

IFCC’s Calendar of Congresses,
Conferences & Events
IFCC and Regional Federation
Events
Date

Title

Place

March,
2024

AFCC CONGRESS 2024

Cairo,EG

May 25,2024

XVII ICPLM - INTERNATIONALCONGRESS OF PEDIATRICLABORATORY MEDICINE

Dubai,UAE

May 26 - Jun 30,
2024

XXVI IFCC WORLDLAB Dubai 2024

Dubai,UAE

May 26, - Jun 30
2024

AFCB Congress in conjunction
with the XXVI IFCC WorldLab
Dubai 2024 Congress

Dubai,UAE

Oct 3 - 6,
2024

XXVI COLABIOCLI 2024

Cartagena,
CO

October 31 Nov 3, 2024

APFCB 2024 Sydney

Sidney,AU

May 18 - 22,
2025

XXVI IFCC-EFLM
EUROMEDLAB 2025

Brussels,
BE

October 25 30, 2026

XXVII IFCC WORLDLAB 2026

New Dehli,IN

October 10 13, 2027

APFCB 2027 KUALA LUMPUR

Kuala
Lumpur, MY

Article continued on the next page38

Corporate Member Events with
IFCC Auspices
Date

Title

Place

Jun 2 - Mar 26,
2024

Quality Management for Clinicallaboratories according to ISO
15189:2022

Quality
Academics,
Online, MX

Other events with
IFCC auspices
Click here

39

Published ten times a year:

Advertise in
IFCC eNews!
Showcase your products and initiatives
to more than 49.000 laboratory medicine
specialists throughout Europe, North
America, Asia- Pacific, Middle East, Africa
and Latin America: laboratory directors,
clinical chemists, and other clinicallaboratory specialists and technologists,
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• Ten issues per year
• Free-of-charge to readers• Interactive digital edition

No 1/2
No3
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on how your company can gain unique access\tointernational markets through advertsingwith IFCC, please email us at enews@ifcc.org.
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discount on current prices.

40

IFCC Executive Board 2024 - 2026

TomrisOZBEN
President

Khosrow
ADELI
Past-President

SergioBERNARDINI
SecretaryAlexander
HALIASSOS
Treasurer

TriciaRAVALICO
Corporate
Representative

T. BADRICK
Asia-Pacific Fed
for Clin Biochem
and Lab Med(APFCB)

M. PLEBANI
European Fed ofClin Chem andLab Medicine(EFLM)

E. FREGGIARO
Latin-American
Confederationof Clin
Biochemistry(COLABIOCLI)T. PILLAY (ZA)
Communications
andPublications
Division Chair

D. GRUSON (BE)
Emerging
Technologies
Division Chair

P. LAITINEN (FI)Congresses andConferences
Committee Chair

Regional Representatives

R. ERASMUS
AfricanFederation ofClinical Chemistry(AFCC)

O. NAJJAR
ArabFederation ofClinical Biology(AFCB)

D. GRENACHE
North American
Fed of Clin
Chem and Lab
Med(NAFCC)IFCC Divisions and C-CC Chairs

C. COBBAERT (NL)
Scientific
Division Chair

N. RIFAI (US)
Education andManagement
Division Chair

IFCC Office Staff(L-R) Elisa Fossati, Paola Bramati, Silvia Colli Lanzi,
Silvia Cardinale, Smeralda Skenderaj, Sofia Giardina

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IFCC Membership
Full members

Albania (AL)
Algeria (DZ)
Argentina (AR)Armenia (AM)Australasia and New
Zealand (AU/NZ)
Austria (AT)Azerbaijan (AZ)
Belgium (BE)Bolivia (BO)
Bosnia Herzegovina (BA)
Brazil (BR)
Bulgaria (BG)
Canada (CA)Chile (CL)
China Beijing (CN)China Taipei (TW)
Colombia (CO)Croatia (HR)Cuba (CU)
Cyprus (CY)
Czech Republic (CZ)
Denmark (DK)
Dominican Rep (DO)
Ecuador (EC)Egypt (EG)Estonia (EE)
Ethiopia (ET)Finland (FI)France (FR)Georgia (GE)Germany (DE)Greece (GR)
Guatemala (GT)Hong Kong (HK)
Hungary (HU)
Iceland (IS)India (IN)Indonesia (ID)
Iran (IR)Iraq (IQ)
Ireland (IE)
Israel (IL)
Italy (IT)Japan (JP)Jordan (JO)
Kazakhstan (KZ)
Kenya (KE)
Korea (KR)Kosovo (XK)Corporate members

Latvia (LV)
Lebanon (LB)
Libya (LY)
Lithuania (LT)
Luxembourg (LU)
Malawi (MW)Malaysia (MY)Mexico (MX)Montenegro (ME)
Morocco (MA)
Myanmar (MM)
Nepal (NP)
Netherlands (NL)
Nigeria (NG)North Macedonia (MK)Norway (NO)Pakistan (PK)Palestine (PS)Panama (PA)Paraguay (PY)
Peru (PE)Philippines (PH)Poland (PL)Portugal (PT)
Romania RO)
Russia (RU)
Saudi Arabia (SA)Serbia (SRB)
Singapore (SG)Slovak Republic (SK)Slovenia (SI)South Africa (ZA)
Spain (ES)Sri Lanka (LK)
Sudan (SD)
Sweden (SW)Switzerland (CH)
Syrian Arab Republic (SY)
Thailand (TH)Tunisia (TN)Türkiye (TR)Ukraine (UA)United Arab Emirates (UAE)
United Kingdom (UK)
United States (US)Uruguay (UY)
Vietnam (VN)
Zambia (ZM)
Zimbabwe (ZW)

Regional Federations

Arab Federation of Clinical Biology (AFCB)
African Federation of Clinical Chemistry (AFCC)
Asia-Pacific Federation for Clinical Biochemistry
and Laboratory Medicine (APFCB)
European Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM)
Latin America Confederationof Clinical Biochemistry (COLABIOCLI)North American Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine (NAFCC)

Abbott Laboratories
Agappe Diagnostics Ltd
Arkray Inc.
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp.
Autobio Diagnostics Co. Ltd.
Bd Diagnostics-Preanalytical
Systems
Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Bio Rad Laboratories
Biomasterclin Laboratorios
Venezuela
Brooks Automation Italy Srl
Controllab
C.P.M. Compagnia Per La
Medicina® Srl
Dia Sys Diagnostic Systems
Gmbh
Diagnostica Stago
Diasorin Spa
Et Healthcare Inc.
Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical
Corporation
Fujirebio-Europe
Gentian As
Greiner Bio-One
Helena Biosciencies Europe
Hemas Hospital Pvt
Hytest Ltd.
Immunodiagnostic Systems
Instrumentation Laboratory
I-Sens, Inc.
Jiangsu Bioperfectus
Technologies Co. Ltd.
Labor Team W Ag
Lumiradx Uk Ltd.
Maccura Biotechnology Co.,Ltd.
Medicalsystem Biotechnology
Co., Ltd.
Medix Biochemica
Menarini Diagnostics
Mindray
Nittobo Medical Co. Ltd.
Oneworld Accuracy
Quidelortho
Perkinelmer
Phc Europe B.V.
Quality Academics
Radiometer Medical Aps
Randox Laboratories Ltd.
Roche Diagnostics Gmbh
Sansure Biotech Inc
Sebia S.A.
Sentinel Ch Spa
Shanghai KehuaBioengineering Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen Yhlo Biotech
Siemens Healthcare
Diagnostics
Snibe Co., Ltd
Synlab International Gmbh
Sysmex Europe Gmbh
Technogenetics
The Binding Site Group Ltd.
Thermo Fisher ScientificTosoh Corporation
United Robotics Group Gmbh
Wisplinghoff
Laboratoriumsmedizin Koeln
Wuhan Life Origin Biotech Joint
Stock Co., Ltd. - Sybio

Affiliate Members

Botswana: Institute of Clinical Laboratory Professionals
Brazil: Sociedade Brasileira de Patologia Clínica / Medicina
Laboratorial (SBPC/ML)
China: Lab Medicine Committee, China Association of Medical
Equipment (LMC)
Egypt: Egyptian Association of Healthcare Quality and Patient
SafetyFrance: French National Network of Accredited Laboratories ofMedical Biology (LABAC)
India: Association of Medical Biochemists of India (AMBI)
Iran: Iranian Association of Clinical Laboratory Doctors (IACLD)
Jordan: Society for Medical Technology & Laboratories (SMTL)
Kazakhstan: Public Association - Federation of Laboratory
Medicine (FLM)
Mexico: Federación Nacional de Químicos Clínicos (CONAQUIC
A.C.)
Mexico: Colegio Nacional de Químicos Clínicos en Medicina deLaboratorio (CONQUILAB)
Mexico: Federación Nacional de Colegios Profesionales de laQuímica Clínica, A.C. (FENACQC)
Nepal: Nepalese Association for Clinical Chemistry (NACC)
Philippines: Philippine Council for Quality Assurance in ClinicalLaboratories (PCQACL)
Romania: Order of the Biochemists, Biologists, Chemists in
Romanian Health System (OBBCSSR) Serbia: Serbian Society for
Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Science (SCLM)
Spain: Andalusian Society for Clinical Analysis and Laboratory
Medicine (SANAC)
Spain: Asociación Española de Biopatología Médica - Medicinade Laboratorio (AEBM-ML)
Spain: Asociación Española de Farmacéuticos Analistas (AEFA)
Sri Lanka: College of Chemical Pathologists of Sri Lanka (CCPSL)
Türkiye: Society of Clinical Biochemistry Specialists (KBUD)
Ukraine: Association for Quality Assurance of Laboratory
Medicine (AQALM)
United Arab Emirates: Genetic Diseases Association (UAEGDA)

42

enewsPublisher
Communications and Publications Division(CPD) of the IFCCThe Communications and Publications
Division publishes ten editions of the e-Newsper year, including two double issues.
EditorKatherina Psarra, MSc, PhD
Department of Immunology Histocompatibility Evangelismos Hospital,
Athens, Greece
E-mail: enews@ifcc.org
The eNews is distributed to all IFCC
members registered on-line to receive it andto all IFCC sponsors.
Deadlines for submissions to the eNews
N° 1/2 – January/February: by mid January
N° 3 – March: by mid February
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N° 11 – November: by mid October
N° 12 – December: by mid November
If you want to submit an article oradvertisement to be published in the eNews,
send it to: Katherina Psarra, Editor, IFCC
eNews
E-mail: enews@ifcc.org

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Contents may not be reproduced without
the prior permission of the Communications
and Publications Division (CPD) of the IFCC.

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