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Introduction A Bio-Incubator is a laboratory device designed to provide a controlled environment of temperature, humidity, and time for the growth and maintenance of microbial cultures, cell lines, and biological reactions. It is an essential tool in microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, and clinical diagnostics.By maintaining …
Introduction India Ink Smear is a direct microscopic technique used for the rapid identification of encapsulated fungi, particularly Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, in clinical specimens such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), sputum, and urine. This simple, rapid, and cost-effective test allows visualization of the thick …
Introduction Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) directly on Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is an advanced molecular diagnostic technique designed to detect multiple pathogens simultaneously from a single CSF sample. It offers rapid, sensitive, and specific identification of bacterial, viral, and fungal agents responsible for central nervous …
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 …
Introduction Invasive mold infections caused by species such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, Scedosporium, and Mucorales pose serious challenges, especially in immunocompromised and oncology patients. Accurate antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) is essential for guiding therapy and monitoring resistance trends. The EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) …
Introduction Direct microscopic examination is one of the most rapid and inexpensive diagnostic methods for detecting fungal elements in clinical specimens. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) smear is a routine technique in mycology that helps visualize fungal structures such as hyphae, yeast cells, and sclerotic bodies directly …
Introduction Candidemia and invasive Candida infections are among the most common fungal diseases in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. Traditional diagnosis by blood culture is often slow and has limited sensitivity. Candida antigen testing provides a rapid, non-culture-based method for detecting circulating fungal components in blood …
Introduction Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus responsible for histoplasmosis, an endemic mycosis prevalent in parts of North and Central America, Africa, and Asia. In immunocompromised patients, especially those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplants, histoplasmosis can be severe and disseminated. Histoplasma antigen testing provides …