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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Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Introduction, Application, and Keynotes

Introduction to IHC Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a powerful laboratory technique that combines anatomical, immunological, and biochemical methods to detect specific antigens (proteins) in tissue sections. By exploiting the principle of antibodies binding specifically to antigens in biological tissues, IHC allows for the visualization of protein …

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

 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 …

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

GeneXpert Dx System software interface displaying a completed diagnostic result for an Xpert MTB-RIF Ultra assay

Introduction Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra is an automated diagnostic test designed for the rapid and simultaneous detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and resistance to rifampin (RIF). It is a second-generation assay developed by Cepheid to provide significantly higher sensitivity than the original Xpert MTB/RIF, particularly for …

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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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PPLO Agar- Introduction, Composition, Principle, Preparation Requirements, Test Procedure, Result -Interpretation, Uses, and Keynotes

PPLO Agar- Introduction, Composition, Principle, Preparation Requirements, Test Procedure, Result -Interpretation, Uses, and Keynotes

Introduction PPLO (Pleuropneumonia-Like Organisms) Agar is a specialized growth medium used primarily for the cultivation of Mycoplasma. Mycoplasma species are unique prokaryotes that lack a cell wall and, therefore, have specific nutritional requirements that are provided by the PPLO agar. Components of PPLO Agar: Characteristics …

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