Haemoglobin Genotype Identifying a person’s genotype is one of the laboratory’s basic and most important tests. It is one piece of information that cannot be missing in an individual’s medical file. Also, every human being born or yet to be born, will, at some point in his or her life, determine his or her genotype, […]
Author Archives: Ifeoma Ofor
01
Oct
Oct
Introduction Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest challenges facing modern healthcare. As more bacteria develop resistance to commonly used antibiotics, treatment options dwindle, leading to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased mortality. Two major factors contributing to this problem are genetic mutations and biofilm formation. But what do these terms really mean […]
01
Oct
Oct
Introduction Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria evolve to withstand drugs that once effectively eliminated or inhibited them. During infection testing—specifically cultures—when microbial growth is detected, the next step is identifying and classifying the organism. Techniques like Gram staining, biochemical tests, and colony morphology, are employed in this identification process. But why is this step so […]
Blog, Microbiology, Students Corner
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Blood Culture using Brain Heart Infusion (BHI)Broth
22
Sep
Sep
Introduction This SOP “Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Blood Culture using Brain Heart Infusion (BHI)Broth” outlines blood culture preparation, inoculation, incubation, and interpretation. Different microbiological media are used in the laboratory to cultivate and grow various microorganisms. These broth media are made from a combination of brain and heart tissue infusions from animals, typically cows […]
Hematology, Students Corner
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Differential White Blood Cell (WBC) Count
22
Sep
Sep
Differential White Blood Cell (WBC) The purpose of this SOP is to outline the procedure for performing a Differential White Blood Cell (WBC) count, which categorizes and quantifies the five major types of WBCs in a blood sample: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. The levels of these cells in the blood increase based on […]
Students Corner, Blog
Standard Operating Procedure for Urine Microscopy, Culture, and Sensitivity (M/C/S)
22
Sep
Sep
Urine Microscopy, Culture, and Sensitivity are among the most common tests performed in medical microbiology laboratories worldwide. Patient Preparation: Instruct the patient on proper collection techniques, preferably a midstream, clean-catch urine sample. Provide a sterile urine container. Ensure the patient washes their hands and cleans the genital area before collecting the sample. Label the container […]
22
Sep
Sep
Introduction This SOP outlines the procedures for the collection, handling, and analysis of semen samples, focusing on assessing male fertility according to the guidelines provided by Monica Cheesbrough. The analysis evaluates semen volume, sperm count, motility, morphology, and additional parameters. Equipment and Materials Sterile, wide-mouthed containers for semen collection Graduated pipettes for volume measurement Hemocytometer […]
22
Sep
Sep
Purpose This SOP aims to outline the procedure for determining the Total White Blood Cell (WBC) count in a patient’s blood sample. The WBC count is essential for diagnosing infections, immune disorders, and hematological diseases. Scope This SOP applies to laboratory personnel performing the total WBC count as part of a full blood count (FBC) […]
18
Sep
Sep
Introduction When it comes to lab tests, accuracy is everything. These tests are indispensable in diagnosing illnesses, monitoring health, and guiding treatments. But we understand that even small mistakes—on the part of the patient or in the lab – can affect the results, right? Whether it’s preparing for the test incorrectly or misunderstanding the results, […]
11
Sep
Sep
INTRODUCTION Lab tests is the bedrock of healthcare. They are inevitable in diagnosing and monitoring various health conditions, giving doctors valuable insights into your overall health. They help identify potential health problems early, guide treatment decisions, and monitor the effectiveness of ongoing therapies. Unfortunately, many people are not familiar with or aware of some key […]