Lablink Medical Laboratory Launches Malaysia’s First Private Mycology Diagnostic Service

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Lablink Medical Laboratory, a leading provider of advanced diagnostic services, has launched its specialised mycology services, positioning itself as Malaysia’s first private reference laboratory offering comprehensive mycology tests.

This new service represents a significant step in Lablink’s commitment to enhancing diagnostic capabilities and improving patient outcomes.

In a statement today, Lablink said mycology, the study of fungi, is crucial for diagnosing fungal infections, which are increasingly common and can be life-threatening.

“Fungal diseases affect over a billion people worldwide, resulting in over 1.5 million deaths each year. In Malaysia, approximately 1.93 per cent of the population suffers from serious fungal infections annually, translating to over 590,000 cases.

“Among these, recurrent vaginal candidiasis is particularly prevalent, with over 500,000 cases reported each year. Fungal infections pose a heightened risk to immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients and individuals in intensive care units,” read the statement.

The launch of Lablink's mycology services took place at the Malaysia International Healthcare (MIH) Megatrends 2024 event here, organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with KPJ Healthcare and strategic partner Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. The event was attended by healthcare professionals, industry experts and stakeholders.

According to the statement, Malaysia’s tropical climate provides an ideal environment for fungi such as Aspergillus, Cryptococcus and Histoplasma.

Despite the increasing demand, mycology diagnostics have fallen behind fields like bacteriology and virology, leaving many fungal infections undetected due to limited diagnostic capabilities and insufficient monitoring of antifungal resistance.

Meanwhile, Lablink Medical Laboratory chief executive officer Dolly Lim, said the mycology reference laboratory aims to unlock the potential of comprehensive mycology testing.

“We will serve as a vital hub, providing healthcare providers with access to specialised expertise, cutting-edge technologies and comprehensive testing capabilities,” she said.

Lablink now offers a range of comprehensive testing services, including fungal cultures and identification, susceptibility testing, molecular diagnostics and next-generation sequencing (NGS).

This new service aligns with Lablink’s mission to continually develop and introduce specialised solutions for clinicians, enabling more accurate diagnoses and targeted treatments.

For more information about Lablink Medical Laboratory and its mycology services, please visit www.kpjlablink.com.

-- BERNAMA