1.Mini Review on Laboratory Practices During Covid-19 Pandemic: From Microbiologists Perspective
Azlinda Abu Bakar ; Siti Asma&rsquo ; Hassan ; Tuan Noorkorina Tuan Kob ; Zeti Norfidiyati Salmuna @Ayub
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.4):358-365
Laboratory practices in a laboratory have changed worldwide due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The
changes occur concerning specimen collection, handling, transportation, processing, and disposal. Infection control
practices are applied in all aspects, starting from specimen collection until the clinician gets the results. A retrospective review of laboratory practices used in a tertiary teaching hospital laboratory from microbiologists’ perspectives
was performed, and the practices were compared with previously published articles.
2.A Teenage Boy with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Complicated with Acquired von Willebrand Syndrome: A Rare Case and Challenging in Making Diagnosis
Noor Hayati Sabtu ; Faridah Idris ; Eusni Rahayu Tohit ; Azlinda Abu Bakar ; Wan Aswani Wan Yusof ; Raudhawati Osman
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.3):386-389
In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), haematological abnormalities are frequent, although they are an uncommon
cause of acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS). AVWS is a rare condition that can cause a bleeding disorder.
We presented a case of AVWS in the early diagnosis of SLE. One month before admission, the patient had a history of recurrent epistaxis. He presented to the hospital with symptomatic anaemia and was noted to have severe
anaemia with iron deficiency. During hospitalisation, recurrent epistaxis recurred and was found to have prolonged
activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), presence of lupus anticoagulant (LA), and lower von Willebrand factor
(VWF), and factor 8 (VIII) levels. Simultaneously, he was diagnosed with SLE based on Systemic Lupus International
Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria. He underwent blood transfusions and was treated with immunosuppressive
drugs such as steroids, mycophenolate mofetil, and an anti-fibrinolytic agent; he subsequently stopped bleeding and
showed clinical improvement.