Tuberculosis (TB) Laboratory & Quality Assurance Examination

Negative MGIT tube (left) with clear medium versus a positive MGIT tube (right) showing characteristic granular mycobacterial clumping at the bottom

Encircle the correct Answer of the Following question. 1) What is the full form of LQAS? 2) What are the components of the Quality Assurance system? 3) LQAS is based on… 4) GeneXpert testing detects… 5) The slide positivity rate is determined in LQAS is …

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N95 Mask: Introduction, Features, application, and Keynotes

A Benehal N95 respirator mask showing official NIOSH certification text and model numbers on its exterior surface

Introduction An N95 respirator is a specialised respiratory protective device certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). It is engineered to establish a tight facial seal and deliver highly efficient filtration of airborne particles. The “N” stands for “Not resistant to …

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Second-Line Drug Susceptibility Testing (SL-DST) for Tuberculosis:Introduction, Principle, Procedure, Result-Interpretation, and Keynotes

Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the BACTEC MGIT 960 system

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 …

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Xpert MTB/RIF: Introduction, Principle, Procedure, Result-Interpretation, Uses, and Keynotes

GeneXpert® Xpert® MTBRIF Test Result- MTB Detected (Very Low) and Rifampicin Resistance Not Detected

Introduction The Xpert MTB/RIF assay is an automated, cartridge-based molecular test used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and rifampicin (RIF) resistance, the most potent first-line anti-TB drug. Endorsed by the WHO in 2010, the Xpert MTB/RIF assay revolutionized TB diagnosis by providing results in less than two …

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Middlebrook 7H9 Broth: Introduction, Composition, Principle, Procedure, Result-Interpretation, Uses, and Keynotes

The BBL MGIT tube, showing Modified Middlebrook 7H9 Broth paired with an oxygen-sensitive fluorescent sensor for rapid diagnostic results

Introduction Middlebrook 7H9 broth is a liquid growth medium first described in 1958 by Middlebrook and Cohn for the specialized cultivation of Mycobacterium species. It is widely used in clinical and research settings for rapid growth, biochemical testing, and preparing inocula for drug susceptibility testing …

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Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Blood Test-Introduction, Test Result, Unit, Reference Range, Test Methods, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Blood Test-Introduction, Test Result, Unit, Reference Range, Test Methods, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

Introduction The ‘Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Blood Test’ measures dissolved carbon dioxide in the blood. Additionally, it evaluates the body’s acid-base equilibrium. Moreover, clinicians use it to assess respiratory and metabolic functions. Consequently, it helps guide treatment for acid-base disorders. Test Result Test results indicate the …

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RBC Folate and Serum Folate-Introduction, Test Result, Unit, Reference Range, Test Methods, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

RBC Folate and Serum Folate-Introduction, Test Result, Unit, Reference Range, Test Methods, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

Introduction RBC folate measures folate inside red blood cells. Serum folate measures folate in the circulating blood.Moreover, these tests assess both long-term and short-term folate status. Furthermore, they help detect nutritional deficiencies. Test Result Test results reveal the folate concentration level. They indicate deficiency or …

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