The sixth session of DiagHub centered on hematology, bringing together international experts to explore both infectious disease risks and technological advancements in blood testing. Moderated by Dr. Dewi Yennita Sari, Head of the Central Laboratory at a major public hospital in Jakarta, the session featured two keynote presentations: Mr. Kenneth Aristotle P. Punzalan from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Philippines, who shared insights on transfusion transmitted parasitic infections, and Ms. Xiaoxing Zhou, Product Manager at Zybio Inc., who discussed applications and innovations in clinical blood testing technology.

Dr. Kenneth Aristotle P. Punzalan began by outlining the major infectious agents that can be transmitted through blood transfusion, with parasites representing a particularly complex and often underestimated risk. Unlike bacteria and viruses, parasitic infections frequently involve asymptomatic donors and prolonged low-level parasitemia, making detection and prevention more challenging.

Dr. Kenneth highlighted the most important parasitic diseases associated with blood transfusion: malaria, babesiosis, Chagas disease, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis, and filariasis. Malaria, caused by Plasmodium species, remains the most historically significant, though modern screening and donor deferral policies have reduced its incidence.

Diagnostic challenges were also addressed. Conventional microscopy often lacks sensitivity, especially for chronic infections, while serology and molecular methods like PCR have improved detection but are not always feasible for large-scale screening. Moreover, many parasites lack rapid, cost-effective testing tools, making prevention strategies heavily dependent on careful donor selection, travel history assessment, and leukoreduction technologies.

In conclusion, Dr. Punzalan emphasized a multi-pronged approach to improving blood safety: expanding screening in endemic areas, implementing pathogen reduction technologies, enhancing donor education, and coordinating with national disease control programs. 

In her presentation on Application and Innovation of Clinical Blood Testing Technology, Ms. Xiaoxing Zhou introduced Zybio’s EXZ 8000 series as a comprehensive solution to modern hematology needs. The system integrates advanced technologies such as nucleic acid fluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and laser scattering, enabling precise identification of abnormal and immature blood cells while providing comprehensive parameters to support clinical decisions.

A highlight of the EXZ 8000Pro is its ability to combine hematology analysis with biomarkers CRP and SAA, offering a rapid and powerful tool for distinguishing bacterial from viral infections in outpatient and emergency settings.

The analyzer’s panoramic mode enhances accuracy for low white blood cell counts, critical for monitoring patients with cancers and cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or drug treatments that cause neutropenia and helping to prevent infections.

Ms. Zhou emphasized that these innovations not only enhance diagnostic accuracy but also improve workflow efficiency, reduce clinical risk, and support rational medical decision-making. The EXZ 8000 series represents an integrated approach that empowers laboratories to deliver more accurate and timely results, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes.

The session concluded with an insightful Q&A segment where experts addressed pertinent questions from the audience. Mr. Kenneth shared perspectives on the clinical value of hematology analyzer functions in safeguarding transfusion safety, while Ms. XiaoXing Zhou provided clarity on advanced WBC analysis approaches for challenging cases.

These exchanges offered practical guidance for clinical application, underscoring hematology’s vital role in advancing diagnostic precision. Stay connected for upcoming DiagHub sessions as we continue fostering global dialogue and innovation in diagnostics!