THE CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION OF

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS

Newsletter: Volume 2, Issue 1

Anguilla

St. Vincent & Grenadines

Haiti

Grenada

Dominica

The Cayman Islands

Bermuda

Belize

The Bahamas

Barbados

Jamaica

Antigua & Barbuda

Trinidad & Tobago

St. Lucia

St. Kitts & Nevis

Suriname

Guyana

The Netherland Antilles

The British Virgin Islands

For Laboratory Professionals

CONTRIBUTORS FOR MARCH:

Spiritual Woman Press

Chris Seay (USA)

Victor Farrell (Barbados)

PAHO/WHO

www.wikipedia.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH)

The Bahamas Branch

Distributed: September 2012

The Essential Message of Easter pg 2.

Word from the Liaison pg 3.

Looking Back (Extended version) pg 4.

Trinidad & Tobago Roll Out HPV Immunization Vaccine Programme for Adolescent Girls pg 6.

Malaria pg 7.

Malaria Diagnosis (U.S.) Rapid

Diagnostic Test pg 9.

New Odor Sensor Found in Mosquitoes

pg 10.

BGM 2013 pg 11.

A NEWSLETTER FOR THE EASTER SEASON!

By this time, we would have celebrated Jesus Christ, through the stages of his death to his resurrection from the tomb.

So during this Easter season, let us not forget what he died for,

Therefore remember to pray for each other and bear goodwill for one another in all our hearts.

A blessed Easter Greeting to all!!!

end.,

as we celebrate the dead and rising out Jesus Christ .

However if you still believe in the Easter Bunny, I hope that you had a basket full of chocolates. To share with your friends and loved ones!!

Distributed March, 2013

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The Essential Message of Easter

by Sharon Serot

Regardless of whether you are an Episcopalian, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist or "Christian" of some stripe, the

festival of Easter is the highlight of our year. With its themes of His triumph over death and His resurrection, we

prepare ourselves for the Ascension of our Lord.

It is important to remember that Salvation is not just a historical event that took place in the distant past to other

people in other places. The same spiritual energies that were available during the Resurrection are available to us in

the here and now. Easter is truly an opportunity for re-birth for those who grasp on to it.

The Easter season is looked upon with great anticipation by people who are interested in their own spiritual growth

and well being. The rituals we observe allow us time for reflection, prayer and penitence, which can lead to our own

rebirth.

The early Christians no longer focused on the exodus from Egyptian Bondage, but on a new kind of exodus from the

bondage of sin to the new life of our Risen Lord.

Sometimes during the weeks preceding Easter we have a feeling of discomfort, of sadness. We walk around moping,

not quite understanding why. This is because in a way, we are in mourning. We are mourning the loss of a part of

our essential selves, even though our sinfulness is something we need to eradicate, we still mourn its loss. Why?

Because the behavior patterns of sin are known to us, we feel oddly comforted by the familiarity of them.

Sinfulness lies deep within a person; it is an attitude, a willingness to turn ones face away from the Creator. Often

times we are not even conscious of this shift away from God. It is only after one comes to the realization that he has

turned his face away and separated himself, can he hope for perfect reunification. But how do we move from our

deeply flawed state of sin to one of reconciliation? The followers of Christ have been furnished with the cure. Once

and for all, Jesus has paid the price for us to redeem ourselves. Through the saving action of Christ, each of us has

been reconciled to God.

The spiritual energy of the Easter Season affords us a unique opportunity to grasp hold of our own redemption. We

need to remember that life is a series of stops and starts, of spiritual advancement and spiritual retreat. We have

"spiritual growth spurts" throughout our lives until the day we die. I hope that this Easter you will take the

opportunity to explore the reason for the season in your own life.

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

© Spiritual Woman Press, 2006. All rights reserved.

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Greetings to all,

2013 is going to prove to be a very busy year for AMT and CASMET:

The Regional Council Meeting is in May.

The AMT National Meeting is in July in Pittsburgh.

The CASMET Biennial General Meeting is in The Bahamas in October.

Of all the things one should remember is that it takes time and effort it takes to put these meeting together. Like the

AMT national meeting, the BGM is where members really get a chance to put their concerns on the table. AMT is so

proud to be a part of the CASMET BGM. Efforts are being made to show a very presence at the meeting.

I am truly looking forward to seeing everyone at the RCM, AMT National or the BGM.

Above all, congratulations are sent to Victor Farrell (Barbados) for his great achievement in receiving the Order of

the British Empire. Victor is a most deserving of this award. He has shown that he is a diligent and dedicated worker,

not only for CASMET but also for AMT. He is well respected in these organizations and in the region.

Thanks,

Chris Seay, MT (AMT)

CASMET Liaison

Word from the Liaison: Chis Seay (AMT)

Ummm!!!!!!

Chocolate

A QUOTE OF NOTE:

There is always something to do. There are hungry

people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to

comfort and to make well. And while I don’t expect you

to save the world I do think it’s not asking too much for

you to love those with whom you sleep, share the

happiness of those whom you can call friend, engage

those among you who are visionary and remove from

your live those who offer you depression, despair and

disrespect.

Nikki Giovanni

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LOOKING BACK (The extended version): By Victor Farrell

DID YOU KNOW THAT??

The first meeting to introduce the formation of the Society of Medical Technologists (W.I) was held at the

Department of Pathology, University of the West Indies, Jamaica on May 29, 1953. At that time the name

agreed on was the Association of Medical Technicians.

The inauguration of the Association took place at a General Meeting held on December 9, 1953 at which

Professor Hill was elected President.

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

‘Society’ and that the full name should be The Society of Medical Technologists (West Indies).

Professor G. Bras succeeded Professor Hill as President in November 1956.

The decade of the mid 1960’s to mid 1970’s saw an increase in the number of Medical Technology students

from other Caribbean islands undergoing training at the Department of Pathology, U.W.I, Mona. This was

made possible largely through the financial assistance from the World Health Organization.

Up until the mid 1970’s the training of Medical Technologists was largely on the job, supplemented by

lectures and demonstrations.

The Society’s Constitution provided for the formation of branches in member territories. Among the early

territorial branches formed were Guyana in 1955, Trinidad in 1956, Bahamas in 1965 and Barbados in 1966.

In 1973, the Constitution was amended to allow Fellows of the Society to hold the office of President. That

year Mrs. Jacqueline McDonald became the first technologists to hold the post of President.

Mr. Ivan Aldred of Jamaica held the post of President for nine (9) months in 1974, followed by the full

one-year term, 1974 – 1975. He was also the Society’s longest serving Treasurer, having held the post for

more than fifteen (15) years.

From April 12 to 16, 1977, a congress of regional Medical Laboratory educators was held in Antigua. The

meeting was chaired by the then Principal of the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) and the

then Society of Medical Technologists (W.I) was represented by its President, Messrs. Victor Elliot, Victor

Farrell and Ms. Greselda Blackman (now Evans).

The Barbados Branch of the then Society, hosted a Regional Meeting from October 18 – 22, 1977. The

meeting was financed by donations from laboratory staff members, local companies and the Ministry of

Health, Barbados. The main objective of the meeting was the revival and restructuring of the Society which

had fallen into a state of lethargy.

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The Barbados Branch cont’d

The meeting was attended by Senior Technologists from Antigua, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada,

Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Vincent. Among the proposals coming out of

that meeting was one to change the name of the organisation from the Society of Medical Technologists (W.I) to

the Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists and another to decentralize its executive.

In October 1979, Nassau, Bahamas was the venue of the first Regional Meetings to be held outside of Jamaica.

At those meetings, the name of the Society was changed to the Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists

and members from other branches were elected to the executive for the first time. Ms. Barbara Waite was the

first President of the renamed body.

Up until 1985, Regional General Meetings were held annually. At the October 1985 General Meeting the

decision was taken that Regional General Meetings would held biennially. As a consequence of that decision,

Mr. Victor Farrell served a one-year term as President from 1984 – 1985, followed by a two-year term from

October, 1985 to November 1987.

The now defunct Bermuda Medical Technologists Association was granted Branch status on Saturday

November 28, 1988. This approval followed the acceptance of a motion allowing Branches to use their

indigenous names e.g. Bermuda Medical Technologists Association. Prior to that, Branches were designated

CASMET, followed by the name of the country.

The “Affiliation Agreement” between the Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists (CASMET) and

American Medical Technologists (AMT) was signed at the Association’s General Meeting held at the Sheraton

Americas Hotel, Miami, Florida from October 22 – 28, 1989. Signing on behalf of AMT was its President, Mr.

William Robbins. CASMET’s President at the time, the late James Mackey signed on behalf of CASMET.

Mr. Norman Burke, who served as CASMET’s President from 1992 – 1993, received the Order of

Distinction (Officer Class) at the Jamaican National Awards Ceremony in 1994. He also received the

Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Medical Technologists (AMT) in 1994.

Prepared by Victor DaC. Farrell, FMT, MBE

Oh My!

I nearly

broke my

eggs!

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Global Immunization News: February 2013 Issue

Trinidad and Tobago rolls out HPV vaccination programme for adolescent girls

28/02/2013 from Yitades Gebre, PAHO/WHO, Gwendolyn Snaggs, Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago

The Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago has expanded

the National Immunization Programme with the introduction

of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV4), with an

official launch by the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr Faud Khan,

late last year.

In its first year, the programme plans to vaccinate a cohort of

20,000 adolescent girls, aged between 11 and 12 years,

against the potential risk of cervical cancer.

The initial administration of the vaccine for the identified

cohort began in January 2013 and is expected to be completed

by the end of November 2013 with an expected uptake of

80%.

The HPV vaccination of pre-adolescent girls is delivered as a

school-based programme, utilizing the successful initiative for

other vaccine delivery in its existing immunization schedule

conducted throughout the primary schools.

However, almost half of the cohort is in secondary education

and the programme would for the first time be administered in

students at secondary schools.

The Ministry of Health implemented its communication

strategy by conducting first-sensitization sessions with the

media personnel followed by relevant national stakeholders.

Following the launch of the campaign, a two-hour radio

programme about cervical cancer, screening, treatment and

prevention was aired.

HPV vaccination promotional posters and brochures were

developed for distribution to health care providers and health

care facilities throughout the country.

Numerous training and sensitization sessions have been

conducted for nurses, physicians, school principals, parent

teacher associations and religious groups. The media

communication included newspaper advertisements and a

FAQ on the Ministry of Health’s website.

Representatives from the National Parent Teachers Association,

School Supervisors Family Planning Association, Religious

Organization and staff of the Ministry of Health of Trinidad and

Tobago.

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

Please Note:

The Mediserv Cytology Training School in

St. Kitts, is once again accepting

registration for entry into the

Gynecological Cytology Course. The new

session commences on July 11th, 2013

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IMMUNIZE AND PROTECT YOUR FAMILYIMMUNIZE AND PROTECT YOUR FAMILY

Malaria Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that

are transmitted to people through the bites of infected

mosquitoes. According to the latest estimates, there were

about 219 million cases of malaria in 2010 (with an

uncertainty range of 154 million to 289 million) and an

estimated 660 000 deaths (with an uncertainty range of 490

000 to 836 000). Indeed, the disease accounts for 20% of all

childhood deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. While most malaria

cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin

America and, to a lesser extent, Europe and the Middle East

are also affected.

Symptoms of malaria appear seven days or more (usually 10-

15 days) after the infective mosquito bite. The first symptoms

— fever, headache, chills and vomiting — may be mild and

difficult to recognize as malaria. If not treated within 24

hours, Plasmodium falciparum (the most deadly form of

human malaria) can progress to severe illness, often leading to

death.

The complexity of the malaria parasite makes development of

a malaria vaccine a very difficult task. Given this, there is

currently no commercially available malaria vaccine, despite

many decades of intense research and development effort. The

most advanced vaccine candidate against Plasmodium

falciparum is RTS,S/AS01. A phase 3 trial began in May

2009 and has completed enrollment with 15 460 children in

the following seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina

Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and the

United Republic of Tanzania. There are two groups in the

trial: 1) children aged 5-17 months at first dose receiving only

the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine; and 2) children aged six - twelve

weeks at first dose who receive the same malaria vaccine

doses in co-administration with pentavalent vaccines in the

routine immunization schedule. Both groups receive 3 doses

of RTS,S/AS01 vaccine at 1 month intervals.

Based on the current trial schedule, the phase 3 trial data

required in order for WHO to consider making a policy

recommendation is expected to be made available to WHO in

late 2014. Depending on these full phase 3 results, the first

WHO policy recommendations on use may occur in 2015.

The Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap set the goal for a

"second generation" malaria vaccine with 80% efficacy to be

developed and available by 2025. This is feasible if WHO

member states and donor agencies invest in malaria vaccine

research & development, and work to share information

through a collaborative framework. The 2025 vaccine will

need to have a substantial impact on transmission if it is to

contribute to malaria elimination and the long-term aim of

global malaria eradication.

Initiative for Vaccine

Research (IVR) The complexity of the malaria parasite makes development of

a malaria vaccine a very difficult task. Given this, there is

currently no commercially available malaria vaccine, despite

many decades of intense research and development effort.

The most advanced vaccine candidate against the most deadly

form of human malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, is

RTS,S/AS01. A phase 3 trial began in May 2009 and has

completed enrollment with 15 460 children in the following

seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina Faso, Gabon,

Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and the United

Republic of Tanzania. There are two groups in the trial: 1)

children aged 5-17 months at first dose receiving only the

RTS,S/AS01 vaccine; and 2) children aged 6-12 weeks at first

dose who receive the same malaria vaccine in co-

administration with pentavalent vaccines in the routine

immunization schedule. Both groups receive 3 doses of

RTS,S/AS01 vaccine at 1 month intervals.

According to the current trial schedule, the phase 3 trial data

required in order for WHO to consider making a policy

recommendation is expected to become available to WHO in

late 2014.

Extracted from

hm.nlm.nih.gov/

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The Malarial Life Cycle

The life cycle of malaria parasites: A mosquito causes infection by taking a blood meal. First, sporozoites enter the

bloodstream, and migrate to the liver. They infect liver cells, where they multiply into merozoites, rupture the liver cells, and

return to the bloodstream. Then, the merozoites infect red blood cells, where they develop into ring forms, trophozoites and

schizonts that in turn produce further merozoites. Sexual forms are also produced, which, if taken up by a mosquito, will

infect the insect and continue the life cycle.

http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/bowman/SSmalaria.htm

Ring-forms and gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum in human blood

The blood film is the gold standard for malaria diagnosis.

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Binax NOW is the only brand of malaria RDT approved for use

in the United States. The picture above demonstrates a positive

test for Plasmodium falciparum. (Howden BP et al. Chronic

falciparum malaria causing massive splenomegaly 9 years after

leaving an endemic area. MJA 2005; 185: 186-188. ©Copyright

2005. The Medical Journal of Australia - reproduced with

permission.)

A Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) is an alternate way of quickly

establishing the diagnosis of malaria infection by detecting

specific malaria antigens in a person's blood. RDTs have recently

become available in the United States.

Technique

A blood specimen collected from the patient is applied to the

sample pad on the test card along with certain reagents. After 15

minutes, the presence of specific bands in the test card window

indicate whether the patient is infected with Plasmodium

falciparum or one of the other 3 species of human malaria. It is

recommended that the laboratory maintain a supply of blood

containing P. falciparum for use as a positive control.

Advantages

High-quality malaria microscopy is not always immediately

available in every clinical setting where patients might seek

medical attention or reference laboratories. Although this

practice is discouraged, many healthcare settings either save

blood samples for malaria microscopy until a qualified

person is available to perform the test, or send the blood

samples to commercial. These practices have resulted in long

delays in diagnosis. The laboratories associated with these

health-care settings may now use an RDT to more rapidly

determine if their patients are infected with malaria.

Disadvantages

The use of the RDT does not eliminate the need for malaria

microscopy. The RDT may not be able to detect some

infections with lower numbers of malaria parasites

circulating in the patient’s bloodstream. Also, there is

insufficient data available to determine the ability of this test

to detect the 2 less common species of malaria, P.

ovale and P. malariae. Therefore all negative RDTs must be

followed by microscopy to confirm the result.

In addition, all positive RDTs should also followed by

microscopy. The currently approved RDT detects 2 different

malaria antigens; one is specific for P. falciparum and the

other is found in all 4 human species of malaria. Thus,

microscopy is needed to determine the species of malaria that

was detected by the RDT. In addition, microscopy is needed

to quantify the proportion of red blood cells that are infected,

which is an important prognostic indicator.

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/rdt.html

Malaria Diagnosis (U.S.) – Rapid Diagnostic Test

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New Odor Sensor Found in Mosquitoes

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a new

family of odor sensors that mosquitoes use to locate their

prey. Their discovery could help explain the puzzling

mechanisms behind the mosquito’s sense of smell and further

the discovery of new deterrents and traps. Funded by NIAID,

the study was published in the journal PLoS Biology in

August 2010.

Mosquitoes’ olfactory system, or sense of smell, is crucial for

their survival. Mosquitoes use it to identify mates and locate a

host. While its importance is well-accepted, the exact

mechanisms behind the mosquito’s olfactory system are

poorly understood.

For about 10 years, scientists have been examining Anopheles

gambiae, the primary vector of malaria, and studying a set of

odor sensors called AgORs (A. gambiae odorant receptors).

Now, the Vanderbilt team, led by Laurence Zwiebel, Ph.D.,

has discovered a new set of receptors, AgIRs (A. gambiae

variant ionotropic receptors) by examining the larval

olfactory system.

“Mosquito larvae are a good model because their olfactory

system is simpler than that of adult mosquitoes,” says

Adriana Costero, Ph.D., a Program Officer in the NIAID

Vector Biology Research Program. “Using a simpler model

within the same species is a novel way of studying vectors.”

In the latest study, Dr. Zwiebel’s team used gene silencing

and behavioral analyses to confirm that the common insect

repellent DEET activates a specific AgOR. They also

identified genes that code for nearly 50 versions of the new

type of receptor.

“If we can prevent mosquitoes from finding us, we can

prevent them from transmitting diseases,” says Dr. Costero.

The AgIRs structure was found to be quite different than

that of the AgOR receptors. This difference could help

explain how mosquitoes are attracted to human odors.

Such knowledge may prove critical in developing new

traps and repellents to deter mosquitoes that spread

infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, and West Nile

virus.

“If we can prevent mosquitoes from finding us, we can

prevent them from transmitting diseases,” says Dr. Costero

Reference

Liu C et.al Distinct Olfactory Signaling Mechanisms in the

Malaria Vector Mosquito Anopheles gambiae. PLoS Biol

8(8): e1000467. doi:10.1371/journal. pbio. 1000467 (2010)

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/vector/Pages/mosquitoe

OdorSensor.aspx

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BGM 2013

The Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists BIENNIAL GENERAL MEETING & SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM

October 22nd -26th, 2013 Atlantis, Paradise Island

Nassau Bahamas

Before (July 1st, 2013) After (July 1st, 2013)

CASMET/AMT Registrant Full Package US $250.00 US $300.00 Non-Members US $300.00 US $350.00 Students US $150.00 US $175.00 Spouse US $100.00 US $100.00 Supplier/Presenter/Exhibitor US $150.00 US $200.00

RECCOMMENDATIONS:

For Hotel Accommodations choose

The Atlantis Beach Towers for

Proximity to the Events and Restaurant

Atlantis is a FAMILY RESORT so bring

The Family and take advantage of the

low rates that are 50% less than regular rates.

TOURS AND DAY AWAY FERRY RIDES WILL BE ARRANGED. For more information visit us at www.casmet1.org or contact bculmer@hotmail.com or lynettesaunders1067@yahoo.com

Register early and save

Full package

includes:

Admission to all Lectures, Exhibitions,

Bahamian Night, & Awards Banquet

AwardsaAAwards Banquet, & BGM

Tuesday (Lectures, Coffee Break)

US $50.00

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

Thursday (Lectures, Exhibition, Coffee Break)

US $50.00

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Education Committee Contact Information:

Earther Went (Chairperson): ewent@bcc.edu.bb

Sashoy Duncan: sashoyforbes@hotmail.com

Marcia Robinson- Walters: brian_0299@hotmail.com

Delphia Theophane: djphia41@hotmail.com

Tamara Chambers: tamara.chambers@ncu.edu.jm

Janice Wissart: jwissart@yahoo.co.uk

This Newsletter is a production of the

Education Committee of the Caribbean

Association of Medical Technologists

All rights reserved @ March 31St 2012