Isolation and detection of Gardnerella vaginalis from vaginal secretions is improved by which of the following?
Which of the following organizations has developed standards to maintain the performance of the clinical laboratory at the highest standards for quality care?
The correct response is option B: The Hepatitis B "e" Antigen (HBeAg). This antigen indicates the virus is actively replicating and therefore the patient is very infectious. The hepatitis B "e" antigen is present when the virus is actively replicating. In cases of unintentional needlesticks, infectivity is of highest concern. The risk for infection is greatest during phases of increased HBeAg serology. The Hepatitis B surface antigen is the first detectable marker, but if the patient is known to have Hepatitis B already, it would be relatively unhelpful to confirm the condition with another HBsAG test. The core antigen is not detectable because it is covered by the nuclear envelope. Antibody response patterns would not be very helpful either as the patient has already been diagnosed with acute Hepatitis B. IgG antibodies would indicate recovery, which is not the case for this patient and IgM antibodies indicating a recent or acute infection would only confirm what is already known. Recall, in cases of unintentional needlesticks, infectivity is of highest concern.
A phlebotomist at a local hospital recently had an accidental needle stick while drawing blood from a patient being treated for acute hepatitis B. Which serological marker from the patient would be of most value to the physician evaluating the phlebotomist's possible infection status?
The type of isolation category that always requires a HEPA mask or respirator to be worn is:
The liver is the primary target organ for the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The inflammation caused by HBV can result in permanent liver damage, including cirrhosis, liver failure, and even hepatocellular carcinoma.
What is the primary target of the Hepatitis B virus?
Atherosclerosis is a hardening of an artery specifically due to the build up of plaque. The risk to patients with significant atherosclerosis is that eventually a narrowing of the artery (stenosis) can cause a reduction in oxygen delivery to tissues and plaque rupture can lead to an acute coronary event.
Atherosclerosis is a hardening of an artery specifically due to which of the following?
After collection all blood should be stored at 1 - 6oC, unless it is going to be used as a source of platelets.
A refrigerator used to store whole blood must be able to maintain a temperature in the ranges of: