Microbiology

microbiology, study of microorganisms, or microbes, a diverse group of generally minute simple

life-forms that include bacteria, archaea, algae, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. The field is
concerned with the structure, function, and classification of such organisms and with ways of
both exploiting and controlling their activities.

BACTERIOLOGY
Bacteriology is the branch and specialty of
biology that studies the morphology, ecology,
genetics and biochemistry of bacteria as well as
many other aspects related to them. This
subdivision of microbiology involves the
identification, classification, and characterization
of bacterial species.

MYCOLOGY
the study of fungi, a group that includes the
mushrooms and yeasts. Many fungi are useful in
medicine and industry. Mycological research has
led to the development of such antibiotic drugs
as penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline, as
well as other drugs, including statins
(cholesterol-lowering drugs).

PROTOZOOLOGY
Protozoology is the study of protozoa, the
"animal-like" (i.e., motile and heterotrophic)
protists. The Protozoa are considered to be a
subkingdom of Protista. They are free-living
organisms that are found in almost every
habitat.

VIROLOGY
Virology is the scientific discipline concerned
with the study of the biology of viruses and viral
diseases, including the distribution,
biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology,
ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of
viruses.
CLINICAL
CHEMISTRY
Clinical chemistry is the biochemical analysis of body
fluids in support of the diagnosis and treatment of
disease. Testing in this specialty utilizes chemical
reactions to identify or quantify levels of chemical
compounds in bodily fluids.

Urine Drug of Abuse Screen

Urine drug screens are ordered on

patients who exhibit symptoms of
intoxication, experience trauma or have
a history of drug ingestion. See the full
range of tests in the test directory.

Electrolyte Panel
An electrolyte panel measures
sodium, potassium, chloride, and
bicarbonate to help detect
electrolyte and fluid imbalances.

Liver Tests
Liver tests measure alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline
phosphatase (ALP), aspartate
transaminase (AST), bilirubin, albumin,
and total protein.

Renal Tests
The renal function panel contains tests
such as albumin, creatinine, blood urea
nitrogen, and a calcuated eGFR to
assesses the overall function of the kidneys.

Lipid Panel
The lipid panel is used to assess a person's risk of
developing cardiovascular disease or as a preventive
measure to check any risks depending on factors like
eating habits, diet, stress, exercise, and lifestyle-related.
The standard lipid panel typically measures the total
cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and
triglycerides blood levels.
 BLOOD BANKING &
IMMUNOSEROLOGY
Blood banking is the process that takes place in the lab to make sure that donated blood, or blood products,
are safe before they are used in blood transfusions and other medical procedures. Blood banking includes
typing the blood for transfusion and testing for infectious diseases. Meanwhile, Immunology is the study of the
body's immune system and its functions and disorders. Serology is the study of blood serum. This is the clear
fluid that separates when blood clots.

BLOOD TRANSFUSION CAN BE HELPFUL TO

women with children with people with severe

complex medical

complications severe anemia as a

trauma following
procedures and

of pregnancy result of malnutrition disasters cancer patients

FACTS ABOUT BLOOD BANKING

According to the American Red Cross:
About 36,000 units of blood are needed every day.
The number of blood units donated is about 13.6 million a year.
About 6.8 million volunteers are blood donors each year.
Each unit of blood is broken down into components. These are red blood cells, plasma,
cryoprecipitated AHF (cryo), a white blood cell called a granulocyte, and platelets.
One unit of whole blood and its parts may be transfused to several people.
Each person may have a different need.
More than 21 million blood components are transfused each year.

LABORATORY TEST IN IMMUNOSEROLOGY

Immunoglobulins
These are proteins in the body that have antibody activity. Excessive amounts of
these proteins may be caused by a variety of conditions including infection,
autoimmune disorders, cancers, and chronic diseases. A lack of these proteins may
be caused by many conditions including cancers, medicines, and chronic diseases

Rheumatoid factor
Used to help classify arthritis and diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Other tests are
often used as well to classify and determine types of arthritis.

HLA (human leukocyte antigens) typing

Tested to determine compatibility in organ, tissue, and bone marrow
transplantation. Also tested to determine paternity, and to diagnose HLA-
related disorders such as certain autoimmune conditions.

FACTS ABOUT IMMUNOSEROLOGY

Identifying antibodies. These are proteins made by a type of white blood cell in
response to a foreign substance (antigen) in the body.
Investigating problems with the immune system. These include when the body's
immune system attacks its own tissues (autoimmune diseases) and when a body's
immune system is underactive (immunodeficiency disorders).
Determining organ, tissue, and fluid compatibility for transplantation

Safe blood saves lives and improves health. It

is the most precious gift that anyone can give
to another person:
the gift of life.
 HEMATOLOGY
Hematology is the study of blood and blood disorders.
Hematologists and hematopathologists are highly
trained healthcare providers who specialize in
diseases of the blood and blood components. These
include blood and bone marrow cells. Hematological
tests can help diagnose anemia, infection, hemophilia,
blood-clotting disorders, and leukemia.

Complete blood count (CBC)

This includes White blood cell count (WBC), Red blood cell
count (RBC), Platelet count, Hematocrit red blood cell
volume (HCT), Hemoglobin concentration (HB). This is the
oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, Differential
white blood count, Red blood cell indices (measurements).
It is use o aid in diagnosing anemia, certain cancers of the
blood, inflammatory diseases, and to monitor blood loss
and infection

Platelet count
This is usually done as part of CBC. It
helps to diagnose and/or to monitor
certain types of bleeding and clotting
disorders

Prothrombin time (PT)

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
international Normalized Ratio (INR)
To evaluate bleeding and clotting disorders
and to monitor anticoagulation (anticlotting)
therapies

Bone marrow biopsy

It involves taking cells from the bone

marrow for analysis for many types of
disease.
 HISTOPATHOLOGY
A histopathology report describes the tissue that the pathologist
examined. It can identify features of what cancer looks like under
the microscope. A histopathology report is also sometimes called
a biopsy report or a pathology report.

How is Histopathology
performed?
Histopathology is performed by a specialist doctor, called a
pathologist, who examines tissue under a microscope.
Pathologists study samples of tissue in a lab.

Pathologists process and cut tissue into very thin layers, called
sections. Then, they stain and examine it with a microscope.
Using a microscope, they can observe and document the tissue's
details.

Histopathology relies on
samples oftissue
obtained through
procedures such as
endoscopy, colonoscopy,
and colposcopy, or by
doing surgical Endoscopy
procedures such as a
breast biopsy.
An endoscopy is a procedure that allows your
healthcare provider to examine the body’s internal
organs by inserting a medical tool through a natural
opening in the body or through a small incision. The
instrument used—called an endoscope—is a thin,
flexible tube with a tiny camera, light, and sometimes
a surgical tool attached to it.

Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a long, flexible
tube with a camera, called a colonoscope, is inserted
into the rectum to look inside your colon (large
intestine). Performed by a gastroenterologist, a
colonoscopy is used to screen for colon cancer and to
evaluate various colon-related problems like
abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or a change in bowel
habits.

Colposcopy
A colposcopy is an in-office diagnostic
procedure used to examine the inside of the
vagina, vulva, and cervix. It is performed
similar to a Pap smear but uses an
illuminated magnifying instrument
(colposcope) to look for cell changes,
growths, and inflammation.

Breast Biopsy
A breast biopsy is a procedure in which
a sample of breast tissue is obtained
surgically so it can be tested for breast
cancer. There are several methods
available to obtain the sample.
 CLINICAL
MICROSCOPY
The Clinical Microscopy performs scientific analysis of non-blood body
fluids such as urine, semen and stool. The macroscopic, chemical and
microscopic examinations of urine provide initial valuable diagnostic
information concerning metabolic dysfunctions of both renal and non-
renal origin.

LAboratory test In
clinical MIcroscopy
Pregnancy tests, Urinalysis, Urine micral, Urine bile,
Urine ketone, Urine urobilinogen, Fecalysis, Fecal
occult blood, Semen analysis (semenalysis),Cell
count of fluids.

macroscopIc
ExamInatIon
Macroscopic Examination, also called Macro
Test or Macro Examination, evaluates the quality
and consistency of a test sample using only low
or no magnification. Macro examination of
metals can be used to assess quality through
the evaluation of a sample’s macrostructural
features, which may include grain flow, porosity
and cracks.

ChemICAL
EXAMINATION
Chemical examination of urine includes the
identification of protein, blood cells, glucose, pH,
bilirubin, urobilinogen, ketone bodies, nitrites, and
leukocyte esterase. Finally, microscopic examination
entails the detection of crystals, cells, casts, and
microorganisms.

MIcroscopIc
Examination
The microscopic examination was traditionally performed on all urine
specimens. Today, many laboratories perform a urine microscopic only if
preliminary evaluation indicates the need for microscopic examination. Such
laboratories must have criteria determining the specimens on which urine
microscopic examinations will be performed.

The microscopic exam is often important in detecting and evaluating renal

and urinary tract disorders as well as other systemic diseases.