Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) Gram stain: Introduction, Report-Interpretation, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

Gram negative cocobacilli in Gram staining of BAL and pus cells

Introduction Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a diagnostic procedure used to collect specimens from the lower respiratory tract, particularly from the alveolar spaces. It is performed by instilling sterile saline into a segment of the lung via a bronchoscope and then aspirating it back. Gram staining …

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Mold Identification by MALDI-TOF (BRUKER)-Introduction, Principle, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

Introduction Accurate and timely identification of molds is essential for clinical microbiology, especially in cases of invasive fungal infections caused by Aspergillus, Fusarium, Scedosporium, Mucorales, and other filamentous fungi. Traditional methods based on morphology and phenotypic characteristics are slow, require expertise, and may misidentify cryptic …

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Root Canal Treatment (RCT): Introduction, Principle, Procedure, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

Tooth before doing root canal treatment (RCT)

Introduction Root Canal Treatment (RCT) is a dental procedure aimed at preserving a tooth that has been severely damaged or infected due to decay, trauma, or pulp disease. Instead of extracting the tooth, RCT involves cleaning, shaping, disinfecting, and sealing the root canal system to …

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Fever Panel Test-Introduction, Test Result, Unit, Normal Range, Test Method, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

Fever Panel Test-Introduction, Test Result, Unit, Normal Range, Test Method, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

Introduction The Fever Panel Test is a comprehensive diagnostic technique designed to identify the root cause of fever. Moreover, it combines multiple tests into a single panel for efficient detection of ecological agents/pathogens. Furthermore, this assay evaluates bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections contributing to fever …

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Streptococcus gallolyticus – Introduction, Morphology, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and Keynote

Streptococcus gallolytucus in a wet mount of culture microscopy at a magnification of 1600X

Introduction Streptococcus gallolyticus is a Gram-positive bacterium. It belongs to the Streptococcus bovis group. This bacterium often inhabits the gastrointestinal tract. S. gallolyticus can cause endocarditis and bacteremia. Moreover, it is associated with colorectal cancer. Researchers use it to study host-pathogen interactions. Identifying S. gallolyticus …

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D-Zone Test: Introduction, Principle, Procedure, Result-Interpretation, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

D-Zone Test Positive strain of Staphylococcus aureus

Introduction The D-Zone test identifies inducible clindamycin resistance in bacteria. Typically, it involves using erythromycin and clindamycin discs on an agar plate. When placed near each other, the interaction is observed. If a D-shaped zone appears around clindamycin, resistance is confirmed. Consequently, this test helps …

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Nocardia – Introduction, Morphology, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and Keynotes

Nocardia species slow-growing, chalky white to tan, dry, and adherent colonies on blood agar

Introduction Nocardia is a genus of aerobic, gram-positive bacteria. It belongs to the actinomycetes group. These bacteria are partially acid-fast due to mycolic acid in their cell walls. They commonly appear as branching filamentous rods. Nocardia species are found in soil and water. They can …

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Rose Bengal Agar (RBA)- Introduction, Principle, Composition, Test Procedure, Colony Characteristics, Uses, and Keynotes

Fungal growth on Rose Bengal Agar (RBA) at centre

Introduction Rose Bengal Agar (RBA) is a selective medium for isolating fungi. It contains rose bengal dye, which inhibits bacterial growth. This medium supports the growth of various fungi. Chloramphenicol in RBA further suppresses bacterial contamination. Scientists and clinicians use it for environmental and clinical …

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