Mycobacteriology – Specimen Packaging & Shipping: Introduction, Procedure, Application, Precaution, and Keynotes

Introduction Mycobacteriology specimen packaging and shipping involve the standardized containment and transport of biological materials suspected of containing Mycobacterium species. Because organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis are highly infectious airborne pathogens (Risk Group 3), their transport is strictly governed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and …

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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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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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Air Bubbles Microscopy: Introduction, Identification, and Keynotes

Air bubbles found in potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount of sputum microscopy at high power objective (40X) further enhanced 4X

Introduction Air bubbles form when air enters the specimen during slide preparation. Moreover, technicians observe these bubbles frequently under various magnifications. Furthermore, it alters light refraction on the slide significantly. Researchers capture images of these bubbles to document their occurrence. Additionally, careful preparation consistently minimizes …

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Microbiology and Serology Laboratory: Introduction, List of Tests, Specimen,Testing Method, and Keynotes

Microbiology and Serology Laboratory: Introduction, List of Tests, Specimen,Testing Method, and Keynotes

Introduction of Microbiology and Serology Laboratory Here we are discussing not general microbiology but medical/clinical microbiology it is a discipline that encloses a wide range of testing methodologies, and it is complex in terms of organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) and methods used to isolate …

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Immunology Laboratory: Introduction, List of Tests, Specimen, Testing Method, and Keynotes

Introduction of Immunology Laboratory The Immunology Laboratory is useful for laboratory testing and clinical consultation in several broad domains including the evaluation of autoimmune disease, immunodeficiencies, immunoproliferative disorders, and allergies, as well as having responsibility for some senses of infectious disease serology. To provide absolute …

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