Basis of Classification of Animals: Level of body organization Body symmetry Germ layers Diploblastic: Porifera and Coelenterata Triploblastic: Platyhelminthes to Chordata Body plan Coelom Body segmentation Introduction to Helminthes and Helminthology: Helminthology is the study of helminthes, which are animals that resemble worms. Helminthes are metazoans with well-developed organs, vermiform bodies. It comprises of phylum […]

Introduction to Hepatitis A Virus (HAV): Hepatitis is the inflammation of liver cells of which viral infection is the most prevalent cause. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D and Hepatitis E are the five primary hepatitis viruses.Hepatitis A virus (HAV), the etiologic agent of viral hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis), is the primary cause

Introduction to Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis): Morphological forms of Trypanosoma cruzi: Amastigote Amastigote is small, round, cytoplasmic in shape and is found in the cytoplasm of mammalian host cells. Binary fission separates the flagellum, which is either short or invisible. Epimastigote The epimastigote has an elongated shape and a noticeable flagellum. It is present in

Introduction to Prions: When a misfolded prion enters a healthy organism, it causes already-existing, correctly folded proteins to transform into the form of a misfolded prion. Therefore, other normal proteins misfold into prion form using prions as a template. Prion disorders, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, are a class of neurodegenerative illnesses that are

Introduction to Fasciola hepatica: Fasciola hepatica is a hermaphroditic trematode with a complex life-cycle that includes an intermediate (snail) and definitive (mammalian) host. The earliest known trematode or fluke was F. hepatica.  However, it was initially found in sheep rather in humans. The disease, known as liver rot, is brought on by consuming metacercaria from

Introduction to Dengue Virus: Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the skin inoculation any of four antigenically different serotypes of the Dengue virus (DENV 1-4), characterized by wide spectrum of illness ranging from asymptomatic to severe forms. As the name ‘breakbone fever’, the patient complains of pain in the back, joint, muscles and the

General Considerations in Specimen Collection The vitals for specimen collection: Requisition The following details should be included in the laboratory request, or “lab slip”: Specimen selection and Collection: Timing of Specimen Collection: Transport of Clinical Specimens: Storage Guidelines for Different Specimen Types: Criteria for Specimen Rejection: SPECIMEN SELECTION POSSIBLE BACTERIA COLLECTION EQUIPMENT TRANSPORT Wounds, Abscesses

Introduction to Shigella: Shigella are the cause of bacillary dystentery exclusively facultative intracellular pathogens in intestine of humans and other primates. Shigella are slender (1-3 × 0.5 µm in size) Gram-negative rods belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. They are non-motile bacterium, non–sporulating and non-capsule formers. The genus Shigella comprises four different species; S. dysenteriae, S.flexneri,

Selection of Stool Samples: Collection of Stool Samples: Principles of Proper Sample Collection Recommended Materials and Precautions Preservation of Stool Samples: Principle and Importance of Preservation Types of Preservatives and Their Uses: Schaudinn’s Fixative Advantages Disadvantages PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) Advantages Disadvantages MIF (Merthiolate-Iodine-Formalin) Advantages Disadvantages Diluted Formalin Advantages Disadvantage

Macroscopy of Clinical Specimens: Sputum Examination Stool Macroscopy Urine Examination Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Microscopic Examination: Sputum Microscopy Pus, ulcer and skin specimen microscopy  Before utilizing the swab to create gram smears, the culture media should be inoculated. Feces microscopy Urine microscopy Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Microscopy Purulent or cloudy CSF Slightly cloudy or clear CSF Upper