Microbiology is the use of biological, biochemical or chemical methods to detect, identify and enumerate microorganisms. How does Microbiology Work? Microorganisms can be studied using a range of technologies, most commonly microbial cultures, immunoassays – such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) – and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). Microbial cultures are a way of multiplying microorganisms by growing them in specific culture media, which may be liquid or solid, under controlled laboratory conditions. They are used to determine the type of organism, its abundance in the sample being tested, and its susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Immunoassays use antibodies to detect and identify specific proteins unique to the target microorganism. They may be quantitative, but more often are qualitative assays that simply determine the presence or absence of the analyte of interest. Single and multiplex PCRs are a more recent development. This nucleic acid-based test enables the amplification and recognition of segments of DNA or RNA unique to the microorganism under investigation. Regardless of the method used, it is essential to prevent contamination occurring during microbiological analysis. What is Microbiology for? Microbiology has many important applications in the medical, environmental, food, agriculture, chemical and biotechnology industries. Medical microbiology is the study of microorganisms across fields such as virology, bacteriology, parasitology and mycology. It involves the identification, isolation, diagnosis and treatment of pathogenic microorganisms, as well as the investigation of beneficial organisms, including yeasts and some antibiotics. It plays an important role in biomedical research, for example, in the development of vaccines and treatments for different diseases.

The Truelab Real Time quantitative micro PCR system in Micro Diagnostics brings PCR technology right to the point-of-care, at all laboratory and non-laboratory settings, primary centers, in the field, near patient, essentially at all levels of healthcare thereby decentralizing and democratizing access to molecular diagnostics. With a large and growing menu of assays for infectious diseases, this rapid, portable technology enables early and accurate diagnosis and initiation of correct treatment right at the first point of contact. The platform is infrastructure independent and provides complete end to end solution for disease diagnosis. With proven ability to work even at Primary Health Centres and with wireless data transfer capability, this game changing technology brings in a paradigm shift to the global fight in control and management of devastating infectious diseases.

we use mini VIDAS® Compact multiparametric immunoanalyzer mini VIDAS® is a compact automated immunoassay system based on the Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) principles. Convenient and user-friendly, it provides accurate on-demand test results. Robust and reliable: MTBF > 1 100 days Up to 36 tests per hour Broad menu: over 100 parameters available in single-test ready-to-use format Adapted to STAT testing Compact instrumentSimple and flexibleLarge test menu mini VIDAS® is greatly appreciated worldwide for its simplicity, flexibility, reliability and 24/7 availability. It processes single sample and batch tests for all types of analysis: serology, immunochemistry, antigen detection. Ten different analytes can be used simultaneously. All enzyme immunoassay reaction stages are performed automatically in minimal space: pipetting, incubating, washing, reading, and results are sent immediately to the integrated printer. Adapted to STAT testing: PCT, NT-proBNP, Galectin-3, Troponin I, Myoglobin, CK-MB, hCG… Simultaneous processing of different parameters No inter-reagent or inter-sample contamination Large test menuTOP Over 100 parameters in single-test format for the diagnosis of cardiovascular and infectious diseases, cancers, infertility, pregnancy, thyroiditis diseases and allergies

An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around an infection. Pus is a fluid made up of germs (bacteria), white blood cells, and other matter. Abscesses are accumulations of pus in the tissues and any organism isolated from them may be of significance. They occur in many parts of the body as superficial infections or as deep seated infections associated with any internal organ.

Acts as a confirmatory test for Myasthenia Gravis. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a long-term neuromuscular disease that leads to varying degrees of skeletal muscle weakness. The most commonly affected muscles are those of the eyes, face, and swallowing. It can result in double vision, drooping eyelids, trouble talking, and trouble walking.

Acid Base Status is assessed in patients with respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath, change in respiratory rate) but also in the unconscious patient and those with abnormal electrolytes where the total bicarbonate is noted to be significantly raised or reduced. Acid base status should also be assessed when blood glucose levels are found to be very high (diabetic ketoacidosis). The routine parameters included in blood gas analysis are:  pH, hydrogen ion concentration  pCO2, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide  pO2, the partial pressure of oxygen  actual bicarbonate concentration  base excess: the amount of acid (or base) required to titrate 1L of blood back to “standard” conditions (pH 7.4, pCO2 5.33kPa at 37°C). Some analysers will also provide electrolyte, glucose and lactate results, co‐oximetry and a large number of calculated parameters indicating the effectiveness of gas transfer and oxygenation of the tissues. Pseudonyms: Blood Gas Analysis

To help diagnose tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by other Mycobacterium species, which are known as acid-fast bacilli (AFB), in people at risk of developing mycobacterial infections; to monitor the effectiveness of treatment

The aPTT is one of several blood coagulation tests. It measures how long it takes your blood to form a clot. Normally, when one of your blood vessels is damaged, proteins in your blood called clotting factors come together in a certain order to form blood clots and quickly stop bleeding.

The score is calculated using serum creatinine compared to a previous value within the last 12 months and is an alert to highlight an acute decline in renal function which requires urgent investigation.

Respiratory virus PCR (Molecular Microbiology) Respiratory screen including 1) Influenza A including H1N1 (avian types: contact lab) 2) Influenza B 3) Parainfluenza viruses 1,2,3 4) Respiratory syncytial virus 5) Metapneumovirus 6) Adenovirus 7) Rhinovirus

AFP is most useful in monitoring treatment of hepatocellular adenoma, hepatoblastoma or non‐ seminomatous germ cell tumours (with beta‐hCG).

ALT is typically thought of as a marker of hepatotoxicity caused by drugs, alcohol, autoimmunity, inherited metabolic diseases of the liver or non‐alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD/NASH). Blood levels are also raised in parenteral‐nutrition associated cholestasis.

Albumin is one of the major proteins in the blood and is normally found in very low concentrations in the urine, as it is too large to be filtered by the kidneys. Damage caused to the glomerular basement membrane results in increased permeability and higher levels of albumin are detected. The ratio of albumin to creatinine in a random urine sample is preferred over total albumin concentration

A urine microalbumin test is a test to detect very small levels of a blood protein (albumin) in your urine. A microalbumin test is used to detect early signs of kidney damage in people who are at risk of developing kidney disease.

Measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of primary hyperaldosteronism, hypertension, oedematous states and other conditions of electrolyte imbalance. Aldosterone secretion is stimulated primarily via the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS). The production of renin is stimulated when there is a reduction in the renal perfusion pressure, reduction in plasma volume and plasma sodium depletion. Renin cleaves angiotensinogen into angiotensin I which ultimately leads to the production of angiotensin II via the angiotensin converting enzyme. Angiotensin II acts on the vascular system causing vasoconstriction as well as stimulating the adrenal cortex to secrete aldosterone. Aldosterone acts on the mineralocorticoid receptors within the principal cells of the distal tubule to increase sodium and chloride reabsorption and potassium and hydrogen secretion. Aldosterone measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of primary hyperaldosteronism, hypertension, oedematous states and other conditions of electrolyte imbalance. Interpretation of the results is dependent on concomitant drug treatment, electrolyte concentration (particularly potassium) and whether the patient was supine or upright at the time of sampling.

ALP exists in various isoforms, some being true isoenzymes, that are encoded by different genes. It is widely distributed in the body, but is particularly associated with bone (osteoblasts), small intestine (mucosal cells), liver (cells of the biliary system), placenta and kidney (proximal convoluted tubules). The forms of ALP usually present in circulation are equally of liver and bone origin. Physiological elevations are associated with pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester and pubertal growth spurts. ALP is frequently elevated in Rickets, osteomalacia and Pagets disease and reflects the healing progress of fractures. In a jaundiced patient, a high serum ALP (up to 5 times the upper reference limit) suggests predominant cholestasis. This may be intrahepatic (e.g. cirrhosis) or extrahepatic (e.g. carcinoma of the pancreas obstructing the common bile duct); ALP does not help to distinguish between these causes. ALP is often elevated in hepatocellular causes of jaundice (because there is frequently an element of cholestasis) but typically to less than 3 times the upper reference limit. ALP activity is of prognostic value in primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Benign Transient Hyperphospatasaemia: This phenomenon characterised by very high ALP activity is usually observed in children < 5y old with no evidence of liver or bone disease on examination and no other abnormalities in biochemistry (LFT, bone or renal profiles). The levels can be in the thousands and are likely to return to within the reference range by 3 months later but it is advised to take a repeat sample 6 months later. Hypophosphatasia: This is a rare disorder presenting with very low ALP activity, bone demineralisation, tooth loss and calcium crystal arthropathies and has 5 forms characterised by the age of presentation and severity of symptoms.