This site is fully related to medical laboratory information for public and health care professionals.
Introduction N95 and KN95 masks are high-filtration Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs) designed to protect wearers from airborne particulates. Both are engineered to trap at least 95% of microscopic, non-oil-based particles down to 0.3 microns in size, including dust, pollen, bacteria, and viruses. While they serve …
Introduction Alcaligenes faecalis is a Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium primarily found in water and soil, but also as a commensal in the human intestinal tract. While it is generally nonpathogenic, it is a significant opportunistic pathogen, particularly in hospital settings where it thrives in moist …
Introduction Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Healthcare Waste Management (HCWM) are critical systems used to minimize the spread of pathogens, protecting patients, healthcare workers, and the environment. Approximately 15–25% of healthcare waste is considered hazardous, necessitating strict management protocols. IPC is an evidence-based approach …
Introduction Orientia and Rickettsia are two closely related genera of bacteria within the family Rickettsiaceae. Both are small, gram-negative, obligate intracellular pathogens, meaning they can only grow and replicate inside the living cells of their hosts. While they share many clinical features—such as causing fever, …
Introduction A Biosafety Officer (BSO) is a technical expert responsible for the strategic and integrated management of biological risks within an organization. Acting as the human component of a biosafety system, they ensure that laboratory practices, containment, and procedures minimize unintentional exposure to pathogens and …
Introduction The VITEK 2 System is an automated microbiology platform designed for the rapid identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of a wide range of microorganisms. It utilizes miniaturized, closed cards that enhance lab safety and streamline workflow. The VITEK 2 cards are lightweight, …
Introduction First-Line Drug Susceptibility Testing (FL-DST or sometimes referred to in context as SL-DST when covering all first-line agents: Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide) is a crucial laboratory procedure used to determine if a patient’s Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strain is sensitive or resistant to primary anti-TB …
Introduction Second-line drug susceptibility testing (SL-DST) for tuberculosis is a crucial laboratory procedure designed to detect resistance to anti-TB drugs used when first-line treatment fails (i.e., multidrug-resistant TB – MDR-TB). Principle SL-DST measures the susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to specific agents by determining the Critical …