Author Archives: د.حسام أبو فرسخ

Detect the E.histiolytica antigen by ELISA test. Useful for patient with recurrent E.Histolytica infections to cofirm recurrence and its volume

Sample: Stool

Normal range: Negative

Comment: Current infection with Echinococcus (Hydatid cyst) is associated with rising titer. Titer can remain high for some years post-infection

Sample: serum

Normal range: Negative

Comment: Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is a widely disseminated human pathogen which commonly causes infection in early childhood, resulting in asymptomatic or mild disease. However, individuals who contract infection with EBV in early adult life frequently develop classic infectious mononucleosis with symptoms of fever, pharyngitis, and cervical factors, in particular the immune competence of the individual, determine the clinical and pathologic expression of the disease. EBV infections can result in complications involving the neurologic, cardiac, ocular, respiratory, hematologic, digestive and renal system. Reactivation of laten infection has also been implicated in persistent illness referred to in recent literature as the EBV-Associated Fatigue syndrome. Infection with EBV results in the expression of multiple antigens with corresponding antibody response. Of these, viral capsid antigen (VCA), early antigen (EA), and nuclear antigen (NA) are most useful diagnostically. At the onset of primary infection with EBV, VCA IgG, VCA IgM, and EA antibody levels are elevated. Anti- NA levels begin to rise several weeks or months thereafter and remain at measurable titers, normally 1:10-1:160, indefinitely due to the persistent viral carrier state established following primary EBV infection. The lack of anti-EA antibodies is useful in establishing the presence of an acute primary infection

Sample: serum

Normal range: Risk factor is calculated on an individual basis, related to LMP, weight and date of birth

Comment: AFP/HCG test (dual screen) is used to help predict the risk of certain birth detects about 55% of Down syndrome cases, while classifying 5% of normal patients as abnormal. Further addition of Estriol increases detection to 60% and false positive rate to 7%

Sample: Serum, LMP, age, weight, birth date, number of embryos, smoker

:Normal range

Comment: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid which is produced by both adrenal cortex and testis. This test is used to evaluate adrenal carcinomas which frequently secrete large amounts of DHEA, as well as for assessment of the onset of puberty (adrenarche) and delayed puberty. Like cortisol, DHEA exhibits a diurnal variation, benign at its highest in the morning. DHEA is elevated in cases of hirsutism and virilization. There is moderate decrease during pregnancy

Sample: serum

:Normal range

∆F508, ∆1507, G542X, 1717-1G→A, G551D, R553X, R560T, Q552X, W1282X, S1251N, 3905insT, N1303K, 394delTT, G85E, E60X, 621+1G->T, R117H, 1078delT, R347P, R334W, 2143delT, 2183AA->G, 2184delA, 711+5G->A, 2789+5G->A, R1162X, 3659delC, 3849+10kbC->T, A455E, & Tn mutation: Negative for all (29) mutations

Comment: Cystic fibrosis is a sever autosomal recessive disease affecting 1 in 2.500 live births in the UK. The carrier frequency is 1 in 25. DNA analysis can be used to screen for the most common mutations in the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene can be used to detect 75-80% of mutant alleles by PCR. Test is especially useful in neonates and children where only 1 ml EDTA blood is sufficient

Sample: EDTA, whole blood

:Normal range

 Comment: An immunosupprresent drug principally used to prevent graft rejection, particularly in bone marrow, liver and renal transplants. It also has applications in the treatment of autoimmune disease. The assay utilises a monoclonal antibody specific for cylosporin A and dose not therefore detect metabolites of the drug

Sample: EDTA, whole blood

:Normal range

Blood, umol/L*

Newborn: 40-90

Infants: 20-80

Children: 45-80

Adults: 50-70

Urine, umol/L*

Infants: <

33

Children: < 40

Adults: 40-308

Comment: Look amino acid in plasma & urine

Sample: 24hr urine, spot urine, plasma, (lithium heparin) separate immediately

:Normal range

Comment: DHEA sulphate is the principal adrenal androgen and is secreted together with cortisol under the control of ACTH and Prolactin. DHEA-S is secreted solely by the adrenal glands. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to the rare deficiency of 3-beta-hydroxy dehydrogenase causes decreased secretion of cortisol, aldosterone, androgens and estrogens but increased secretion of

DHEA and DHEA-s, reflected in increased plasma levels and increased urinary 17-oxosteriods. High levels of DHEA-S are associated with amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome and Cushing’s syndrome

(Sample: Serum (separate immediately

:Normal range

Comment: Determine qualitative and quantitative variations in white cell number types and morphology, morphology of red cells and platelet evaluation; evaluate anemia, leukemia, infections, inflammatory states, and inherited disorders of red cells, white cells, and platelets; with automated instruments, generation of cell histograms

Sample: EDTA, whole blood