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You may not know what meconium ileus means, however, the name given to the very first stool (poo) that your baby passes within 24 to 48 hours after birth is called Meconium. This poo (meconium) is not from the food the babe eats after delivery, like breast milk. Meconium forms in a baby’s […]
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 […]
Diagnosis of Vibrio cholerae Laboratory diagnosis of Vibrio cholerae; the bacteria responsible for cholera, and identifying the causative species, plays a great role in effective treatment and controlling outbreaks. Here is the breakdown of what happens in the laboratory for Cholera to be confirmed. Sample Collection The first step in diagnosing cholera involves collecting stool […]
HPV vs. PAP Smear: Their differences and Interconnection in Cervical screening. Whenever cervical screening is mentioned, the terms “HPV” and “Pap smear” often pop up. Then you will now hear some people using the terms interchangeably as though, they mean the same thing. They do not! However, they are distinct screening tests for cervical cancer, […]
Introducing Cholera In a world where science has advanced and healthcare interventions are almost real-time, one wonders why we still hear of outbreaks of Vibrio cholerae. It simply means that people, (and by people I mean down to the locals) are not aware of the relevant information needed to avoid such incidents or at least […]
Gram Stain Quality control is one of the most neglected practices in less organised laboratories. Gram Stain is the simplest and most important test in medical microbiology laboratories. This was developed by a man called Hans Christian Gram in 1884. One thing a good medical laboratory does is to have a quality […]
HPV (Human Papilloma virus) HPV refers to a group of viruses, with over 200 types identified, of which about 40 can infect the genital area. It is a double stranded DNA virus that causes cellular changes to epithelial cells. HPV is transmitted from one person to another via sexual contacts; including and not subjected […]
Laboratory Safety Protocols These include the safety guidelines for every staff in the laboratory. Awareness and compliance with safety standards help lower incident rates in the laboratory and health facilities. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Gloves: Always wear gloves to protect the hands from chemicals and biohazards. Lab Coats: Wear lab coats to shield your body […]
LIQUID-BASED CYTOLOGY: CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING TEST INTRODUCTION Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) is an advanced method of preparing cervical cell samples for cytological examination, particularly for Pap smears. It enables cells to be suspended in a monolayer, therefore providing a better morphological assessment, This technique has largely replaced the conventional Pap smears in many labs because it […]
Pap smear, a cervical screening technique. Introduction Pap smear shortened from Papanicolau test, is a cytological screening test used to check for cervical cancer and its precursors. The Pap smear process involves collecting cells from a patient’s cervix using a speculum for better visualization. Then a spatula, brush, or swab is used to collect cells […]