The clinical applications of point-of-care testing (POCT) are gradually increasing in many health care systems. Recently, POCT devices using molecular genetic method techniques have been developed. We need to examine clinical pathways to see where POCT can be applied to improve them. To introduce up-to-date POCT items and equipment and to provide the content that should be prepared for clinical application of POCT. Literature review based on PubMed searches containing the terms point-of-care testing, clinical chemistry, diagnostic hematology, and clinical microbiology. If medical resources are limited, POCT can help clinicians make quick medical decisions. As POCT technology improves and menus expand, areas where POCT can be applied will also increase. We need to understand the limitations of POCTs so that they can be optimally used to improve patient management.

Youngwon Nam, M.D. and Hyung-Doo Park, M.D., Ph.D.. Ann Lab Med -0001;0:. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2024.0581

The incidence of vancomycin-associated acute kidney injury (VAKI) varies from 5–43%, and early detection of VAKI is important in deciding whether to discontinue nephrotoxic agents. Oxidative stress is the main mechanism of VAKI, and serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) have been examined with respect to their involvement in ischemia/reperfusion damage in experimental animal models. In the current study, we assessed 5-HT and 5-HIAA as novel biomarkers for detecting VAKI in patients who have infections or compromised renal function, using a mass spectrometry–based metabolomics approach. We conducted amino acid profiling analysis and measurements of 5-HT and 5-HIAA using serum from subjects with VAKI (n = 28) and non-VAKI control subjects (n = 69), consisting of the infection subgroup (n = 23), CKD subgroup (n = 23), and healthy controls (HCs, n = 23). 5-HT was significantly lower in the VAKI group than in the non-VAKI groups, and the concentration of 5-HIAA and the ratio of 5-HIAA to 5-HT (5-HIAA/5-HT) showed higher values in the VAKI group. The infection subgroup presented a significantly greater 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio compared with the HC subgroup. Our study revealed that increased 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio has the potential to act as a VAKI surrogate marker, reflecting acute oxidative stress and inflammation.

Sollip Kim, M.D., Ph.D., Kyunghoon Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Hyung-Doo Park, M.D., Ph.D., Yong-Wha Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Sail Chun, M.D., Ph.D., and Won-Ki Min, M.D., Ph.D.. Ann Lab Med 2021;41:230-9. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2021.41.2.230

Rihwa Choi, M.D., Hyung-Doo Park, M.D., Jung Min Ko, M.D., Jeongho Lee, M.D., Dong Hwan Lee, M.D., Suk Jin Hong, M.D., Chang-Seok Ki, M.D., Soo-Youn Lee, M.D., Jong-Won Kim, M.D., Junghan Song, M.D., and Yon Ho Choe, M.D.. Ann Lab Med 2017;37:261-6. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2017.37.3.261