Aplastic anemia is a rare hematological (blood) disorder in which the bone marrow is damaged resulting in failure to produce all the three major types of blood cells. Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue inside the bones that makes stem cells that develop into red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Read […]
Diseases
Five Types of Diabetes, Not Two, Says New Study
There are five types of diabetes in adults which have different physiological and genetic profiles. This has been suggested by a new research by Scandinavian researchers. The study gathered data on 15,000 patients from across five cohorts in Sweden and Finland and identified five clusters of patients with diabetes using six types of measurements. The […]
Dressler Syndrome Presentation and Treatment
Dressler syndrome is a delayed immune-mediated or secondary pericarditis developing weeks to months after a myocardial infarction characterized by pleuritic chest pain, low-grade fever, and pericarditis. It is also called post-myocardial infarction syndrome. Earlier the syndrome was quite common but the incidence has decreased owing to better reperfusion. This syndrome is now considered under the group postpericardiotomy syndrome which is […]
What is a Capillary Blood Sample
A capillary blood sample is collected by pricking the skin. Capillaries are small vessels formed by branching of arterioles. Blood flows from the heart to arteries, which divide into arterioles, and then further divide into capillaries. After the tissue has been perfused, capillaries then unite to become venules and then widen more to become veins, […]
Blood Sample Handling and Processing
After taking a blood sample, the blood needs to be managed in a proper way so as to prepare it for investigations. Blood sample handling and processing can be summarized as below. Pre-centrifugation Handling The first critical step in the lab testing process, after obtaining the sample, is the preparation of the blood sample. Specimen […]
Peripheral Blood Smear Procedure and Interpretation
Peripheral blood film or Peripheral blood smear or Peripheral smear examination forms an important and basic lab investigation for diagnosing a number of hematological (blood) disorders. With the advent of hematological automated machines, complete and highly accurate hematological data and parameters like complete blood count or CBC can be obtained within a few minutes. In […]
Albinism – Causes and Types
Albinism is of a group of inherited disorders characterized by a congenital reduction or absence of melanin pigment due to defective production of melanin from tyrosine. An estimated 1 in 17,000 people have one of the types of albinism. Oculocutaneous albinism is the most common type of albinism Both males and females can be affected. […]
Acquired Hemophilia – Causes and Treatment
Acquired hemophilia is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by bleeding that occurs in patients with a personal and family history negative for hemorrhages. In acquired hemophilia, the body produces antibodies [also known as inhibitors] that attack clotting factors, most often factor VIII. The affected individuals develop complications associated with abnormal, uncontrolled bleeding into the muscles, […]
Hemophilia C: Presentation and Treatment
Hemophilia C refers to the deficiency of factor XI which results in bleeding tendencies. Hemophilia C is also known as plasma thromboplastin antecedent (PTA) deficiency or Rosenthal syndrome. It is a mild form of hemophilia affecting both sexes. It is predominantly known to occur in Jewish people of Ashkenazi descent. It is the fourth most […]
Hemophilia B – Causes, Presentation and Treatment
Hemophilia B is a disorder resulting in deficiency of functional plasma coagulation factor IX. It could be inherited as X-linked, recessive condition or occur following spontaneous mutation. Acquired immunologic processes can also result in this disorder. The incidence of hemophilia B is estimated to be approximately 1 case per 25,000-30,000 male births. Hemophilia B is […]