In June 2023, Premier Integrated Labs, formerly known as Pantai Premier Pathology, celebrated a momentous occasion with its official launch, marking a significant milestone. We take great pride in being the quadruple-crowned clinical laboratory in Malaysia, having attained the distinguished accreditations of the College of American Pathology (CAP), MS ISO 15189, Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) and Joint Commission International (JCI).

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Pantai Premier Pathology COVID-19 Journey [May 2021]

Take a journey through PPP’s call of duty ensuring safety & peace of mind amidst the ongoing Pandemic. Let us not be complacent in this fight against Covid-19. Stay vigilant & stay safe!

 

In February 2020, Pantai Premier Pathology (PPP) received approval from the Ministry of Health as one of the 4 private labs in Malaysia to start the COVID-19 screening services. In March 2020, a total of 400 samples were run per day using the rtPCR method. These samples were received from various sites including IHH hospitals, GP clinics and corporate clients. In April 2020, PPP expanded its service offering that includes rtPCR and rapid PCR nationwide with an increase in the running capacity to 800 samples per day. A new service, RTK Antigen, was offered nationwide in May 2020, with increased running capacity to 3,500 per day. PPP has also offered support in running MOH samples when required at that time. A total YTD testing of 7.6% of the nationwide capacity at 207,396 tests was achieved in October 2020 with the launch of another service, RTK Antibody testing. In January 2021, PPP opened up another COVID-19 lab located at Pantai Hospital Ampang. After 12 months of providing COVID-19 screening service, PPP contributed to a total of 460,435 testing nationwide in February 2021. More COVID-19 screening labs were started at Gleneagles Medini, Johor Bahru and KLIA, Sepang in March 2021 with overall running capacity up to 8,000 tests per day. PPP has recorded the highest monthly total sample screened to date at 145,181 in one month as at May 2021.

Pantai Premier Pathology Becomes More Internationally Accessible with Accreditation from College of American Pathologists

IHH Healthcare Malaysia’s laboratory arm, Pantai Premier Pathology, is one of only two laboratories in Malaysia to receive accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

 

With this latest accreditation, Pantai Premier Pathology will be able to receive samples from Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam for processing, testing and analysis as these countries, among others, require a laboratory to be accredited by CAP for highest quality assurance. More local and international pharmaceutical companies would also now be open to using the services from Pantai Premier Pathology for their clinical trial testing as CAP accreditation is part of the requirements for certain clinical trials.

 

Now, PPP collaborates extensively with pharmaceutical companies in Malaysia and abroad to conduct clinical trial testing and molecular diagnostic services for cancer patients such as Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Merck Sharp Dohme (MSD), Novartis, Roche, Amgen and Johnson & Johnson (J&J).

 

Having certified with CAP, PPP is driven to provide excellent patient care while fostering and advocating best practices in pathology and clinical laboratory. This value is reputed to elevate PPP’s prestige in the marketplace to leverage an established partnership by attracting patients, doctors and international partners to collaborate with at which they will receive quality services and accurate results with continuous improvement in customer satisfaction.

 

The CAP received from an internationally recognized organization, endorse PPP to retain business through confidence in its high standard management processes known for its advancement in quality for clinical laboratory. Accreditation by the CAP is therefore seen as an attestation to quality laboratory practices and comes with many advantages. Inspections were conducted by expert teams of multi-disciplinary laboratory professionals to ensure PPP’s standards are compliant with the regulations. This detailed and customized evaluation by the expert teams also ensures that test results are always accurate and thus patients’ diagnoses are also accurate.

 

Pantai Premier Pathology is the only laboratory services provider in Malaysia with four accreditations, including from Joint Commission International, ISO 15189 and the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health. Established in 2016, the laboratory offers diagnostic tests for Pre-Natal, Post-Natal, Haemato-Oncology, Solid Tumour and Infectious Diseases, including COVID-19 testing.

 

 

Media Coverage

The Star:

https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/06/08/ihhs-laboratory-gets-recognition

 

The Sun Daily:

https://www.thesundaily.my/local/ihh-s-laboratory-arm-receive-accreditation-from-cap-NA7938708

 

The Edge Markets:

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/ihhs-laboratory-arm-receive-accreditation-cap 

 

 

 

 

Increase the Success Rate of IVF via PGS

Increase the Success Rate of IVF via PGS

 

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) to achieve pregnancy, where the process of fertilization is manually performed in a laboratory dish by combining extracted eggs and retrieved sperms. Once the fertilized eggs have multiplied, the embryos are then transferred to the uterus for a pregnancy to begin.1, 2, 3 This procedure is commonly conducted in couples who have difficulty in achieving pregnancy through unprotected regular intercource.2

Figure 1: The process of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).4

 

Who needs IVF treatment?

IVF can be used to treat infertility in the following cases1:

  • Unexplained infertility
  • Women with ovulation disorders; premature ovarian failure, uterine fibroids
  • Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
  • Male factor infertility; reduced sperm count or motility
  • Individuals with genetic disorder

 

What is Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS)?

PGS is a specialised testing to screen whether cells from a cultured embryo contain any chromosomal abnormalities or balance number of chromosomes prior to implantation. PGS is highly recommended for patients with history of repeated unexplained miscarriages, recurrent IVF failures or couples with known abnormality in their chromosomal who worry passing it on to their offspring.

Common chromosomal abnormality PGS screens for are:

  1. Down Syndrome
  2. Patau Syndrome
  3. Edwards Syndrome
  4. Sex chromosomes abnormality

The process of PGS requires a small number of cells from the cultured embryos typically at day 5 (blastocyst stage) and cells are screened for normal number of chromosomes which is 46 (23 chromosomes inherited from each parents). If all chromosomes are intact with no abnormalities observed (called euploidy) then the embryo is suitable for implantation.6, 7, 10, 11, 12 Your fertility doctors will consult of the best embryos to implant in order to yield a successful pregnancy.

Figure 2: How Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) Works.8

 

 

 

 

Reference

1- IVF – In Vitro Fertilization. (2019, April 24). American Pregnancy Association. https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/infertility/in-vitro-fertilization-70966/

2- Brezina, P. R., & Zhao, Y. (2014). In Vitro Fertilization. ELSEVIER, 2014(3), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.00262-2

3- Infertility FAQs. (n.d.). Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved April 8, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/index.htm

4- In Vitro Fertilisation. (2019, April). [Photograph]. Women’s Health Arm of Singapore Medical Group. https://smgwomenshealth.sg/news-articles/pgd-pgs-testing/

5- Harper, J. C., Geraedts, J., Borry, P., Cornel, M. C., Dondorp, W., Gianaroli, L., … & Macek, M. (2013). Current issues in medically assisted reproduction and genetics in Europe: research, clinical practice, ethics, legal issues and policy. European Journal of Human Genetics, 21(2), S1-S21.

6- De Rycke, M., & Sermon, K. (2010). Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis. In Molecular Diagnostics (pp. 485-500). Academic Press.

7- Illumia. (2015). The STAR Trial [Brochure]. https://www.illumina.com/content/dam/illumina-marketing/documents/clinical/rgh/star-one-pager-web.pdf

8- Improving IVF outcomes with PGS. (n.d.). [Photograph]. Illumina. https://www.illumina.com/clinical/reproductive-genetic-health/preconception-fertility/pgs.html

9- Kimelman, D., Confino, R., Confino, E., Shulman, L. P., Zhang, J. X., & Pavone, M. E. (2018). Do patients who achieve pregnancy using IVF-PGS do the recommended genetic diagnostic testing in pregnancy?. Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 35(10), 1881–1885. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1289-z

10- Improving IVF outcomes with PGS. (n.d.-b). Illumina. Retrieved April 9, 2021, from https://www.illumina.com/clinical/reproductive-genetic-health/preconception-fertility/pgs.html

11- Yang, Z., Liu, J., Collins, G. S., Salem, S. A., Liu, X., Lyle, S. S., Peck, A. C., Sills, E. S., & Salem, R. D. (2012). Selection of single blastocysts for fresh transfer via standard morphology assessment alone and with array CGH for good prognosis IVF patients: results from a randomized pilot study. Molecular cytogenetics, 5(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/1755-8166-5-24

End TB, Save lives

End TB, Save lives

Persistent cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks with the presence of blood or mucus is a warning sign for a deadliest infectious disease known as Tuberculosis (TB).1, 2 TB bacteria spreads through air when someone with TB disease talks, coughs or sneezes.3 Individuals at risk for TB are those living with HIV and have close contact with TB patients and other at-risk groups such as patients undergoing dialysis, anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) treatment and patients preparing for an organ transplant.3 These individuals have weakened immune system which makes them vulnerable to getting infected.

Individuals with latent TB infection have TB bacteria in their bodies but are not sick, do not display symptoms or cannot spread the bacteria to others because the bacteria are not active. However, these individuals may develop TB disease in the future, hence, they are often prescribed treatment to prevent from developing TB disease. Whereas, individuals with TB disease are sick from TB bacteria that are active, multiplying and destroying tissues in their body. These individuals usually display symptoms of the TB disease and are able to spread the bacteria to others.6

TB is a preventable and curable disease, however, a person with TB can die if they do not get treatment on time.5, 6 Most TB cases are reported to progress from latent TB infection (LTBI) rather than local transmission, especially in those whose immune systems are weakened. Hence, the transmission of the infectious TB can be prevented through prompt case finding and treatment of LTBI as a crucial strategy to achieve the elimination of TB.7, 8, 9

At Pantai Premier Pathology, we provide tests for Tuberculosis (TB):

  1. TB Serology Rapid Test
  2. MYCOBACTERIUM TB DNA PCR (FFPE TISSUE)
  3. MYCOBACTERIUM TB DNA PCR
  4. Mycobacterium TB Rifampin Resistance
  5. Mycobacterium Culture
  6. Mycobacterium Identification
  7. Mycobacterium Sensitivity

For more information on the tests provided, please contact us at +603-42809115 (Customer Service) or email us at info@premierpathology.com.my.

 

Reference

1- Signs & Symptoms. (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Division of Tuberculosis Elimination. Retrieved March 8, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/signsandsymptoms.htm

2- Tuberculosis (TB). (n.d.). NHS. Retrieved March 8, 2021, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tuberculosis-tb/

3- How to Protect Ourselves from TB. (n.d.). World Health Organization. Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/campaigns-and-initiatives/world-tb-day-2020/how-to-protect-ourselves-from-tb.pdf?sfvrsn=ba76911a_2

4- Tuberculosis: General Information What is TB? (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Division of Tuberculosis Elimination. Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/general/tb.htm

5- Tuberculosis (TB). (n.d.-b). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 8, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/general/tb.htm

6 – World Tuberculosis Day 2021: THE CLOCK IS TICKING. (n.d.). World Health Organization. Retrieved March 10, 2021, from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-tb-day/world-tb-day-2021

7- Latent TB Infection and TB Disease. (2016). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/tbinfectiondisease.htm

8- Lönnroth, K., Migliori, G. B., Abubakar, I., D’Ambrosio, L., De Vries, G., Diel, R., … & Ochoa, E. R. G. (2015). Towards tuberculosis elimination: an action framework for low-incidence countries. European Respiratory Journal, 45(4), 928-952.

9- Dobler, C. C., Martin, A., & Marks, G. B. (2015). Benefit of treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in individual patients. European Respiratory Journal, 46(5), 1397-1406.

 

 

Preventing the transmission of Covid-19 with proper testing and vaccination

Preventing the transmission of Covid-19 with proper testing and vaccination

It has been more than a year since we have been battling against the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization declared the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a pandemic on 11 March 2020, acknowledging the spread of the virus to all countries across the globe.1 This has become an alarming situation as the number of daily cases increased significantly.

 

As part of the effort to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, health screening tests for Covid19 were implemented to identify Covid19 positive cases and to ensure the safety of the people at large. This measure was taken to contain the spread of the virus and to prevent further disease transmission.2 The common Covid-19 tests include RT-PCR Covid19 test and rapid Covid-19 test.

 

The RT-PCR Covid19 test is usually analyzed in a lab. The rapid Covid19 test on the other hand includes the rapid PCR test and Covid antigen test. For rapid PCR test, the sample can be analyzed at the point-of-care, such as at the clinic itself. Antigen tests are often simpler and may provide results quicker than other molecular tests. Although antigen tests can be less accurate and may need additional diagnostic confirmation tests, they can be made more widely available because they are easy and simple.3 

 

Which Covid-19 test do you need? 4, 5

 

Other efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic is the race to develop and deploy safe and effective vaccines. Vaccines save lives by training and gearing up the body’s natural defence system (immune system) to distinguish and fight off viruses and bacteria. The body will be ready to immediately destroy any disease-causing germs they encounter later once they get exposed to them.6

Figure 1. How do vaccines work?7

(link for image: https://www.immunology.org/celebrate-vaccines/public-engagement/guide-childhood-vaccinations/how-vaccines-work)

Equitable access and distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine will be facilitated to protect the people, with people most at risk prioritized. While the work towards deploying a safe and effective vaccine is under going, it is important to protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using hand sanitizers frequently.1, 6

 

At Pantai Premier Pathology, we provide Covid-19 tests:

COVID-19 TEST TEST CODE
Covid RT-PCR Test COVID19
Covid Rapid PCR Test (FilmArray) FACOVID
Covid Antigen Test COVIDAG
Covid Antibody Test COVIDAB
FilmArray Respiratory Panel 2.1 Plus FARP3P

 

For more information on the tests provided, please contact us at +603-42809115 (Customer Service) or email us at info@premierpathology.com.my

 

 

Reference

1- Archived: WHO Timeline – COVID-19. (2020, April 27). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news/item/27-04-2020-who-timeline—covid-19

2- Shah, A. U. M., Safri, S. N. A., Thevadas, R., Noordin, N. K., Abd Rahman, A., Sekawi, Z., … & Sultan, M. T. H. (2020). COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia: Actions taken by the Malaysian government. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 97, 108-116.

3- Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing Basics. (n.d.). U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Retrieved January 27, 2021, from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/coronavirus-disease-2019-testing-basics

4- COVID-19: contact tracing. (n.d.). World Health Organization. Retrieved February 1, 2021, from https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/covid-19/information/covid-19-testing

5- Antibody (Serology) Testing for COVID-19: Information for Patients and Consumers. (n.d.). U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Retrieved February 1, 2021, from https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/antibody-serology-testing-covid-19-information-patients-and-consumers

6- COVID-19 vaccines. (n.d.). World Health Organization. Retrieved February 1, 2021, from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines

7- How vaccines work. (n.d.). British Society for Immunology. Retrieved February 3, 2021, from https://www.immunology.org/celebrate-vaccines/public-engagement/guide-childhood-vaccinations/how-vaccines-work

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