The microscopic features shown here represent Scopulariopsis species. In most instances, particularly if a patient does not have underlying immunologic or hematologic disease, Scopulariopsis species should be considered a contaminant when recovered from a sputum specimen. However, if there is clinical or X-ray evidence of mycotic pulmonary infection, additional daily induced sputum specimens should be obtained.
If Scopulariopsis species or any other hyaline mold is recovered from two or more successive specimens, its potential as a pathogenic agent should be considered. Scopulariopsis species have been reported as the agents of pulmonary fungus ball infections in patients with preexistent cavities and as a cause of pneumonia in patients with leukemia.
Invasive pulmonary disease by this agent has not been reported.
The fungus illustrated in this photomicrograph was recovered from an induced sputum specimen from a 74 year old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This isolate is most likely:
The deposition of plaques containing cholesterol and lipids on the innermost layer of the walls of large and medium-sized arteries is the defintion of atherosclerosis.
Arteriosclerosis is a more general term that describes a thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls of the arteries (hardening of the arteries). Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis but is not synonymous with it.
Atherosclerosis is not the most common outcome for risk marker studies because it can be hard to measure. Infarcts, cardiac procedures, death, and 'events' are more common. Most humans have visible or measureable atherosclerosis by early middle age.
Chemistry
Which of the following is true concerning atherosclerosis?
Basophilic stippling is the term used to describe red blood cells that contain tiny particles of RNA within their cytoplasm. Basophilic stippling is associated with many conditions, but is strongly associated with lead poisoning.
Multiple small, dark blue particles scattered throughout the cytoplasm of erythrocytes is/are called:
Conversion of only the slant to a pink color in a Christensen's urea agar slant is produced by bacterial species that have weak urease activity. The reaction in the slant to the right is often produced by Klebsiella species, as an example. Strong urease activity is indicated by conversion of the slant and the butt of the tube to a pink color, as seen in the tube to the left. The slant only reaction in the right tube may be seen early on if only the slant had been inoculated; however, with a strong urease producer, both the slant and the butt would turn. Therefore, the reaction is dependent on the strength of urease activity. If the media had outdated for a prolonged period, either there would be no reaction or the appearance of only a faint pink tinge, either in the slant, the butt or both, again depending on the strength of urease production by the unknown organism.
The urease reaction seen in the Christensen's urea agar slant on the far right indicates:
Calculation:
Cells Counted (in this case the average of both sides) X dilution factor (in this case 100) / # of squares counted (in this case 9) X area of each square (1mm2) X 0.1mm (depth factor)
So, in this problem:
158 x 100 / 9 x 1 x 0.1mm = 17555.55/mm3 (can be converted to 17.5 x 109/L*)
*There are 1,000,000 mm3 in a liter (L). So 17555.55 X 1,000,000 = 17.5 x 109/L
A manual white blood cell count was performed by the hematology technologist. The cell counts for both sides were 152 and 164 respectively. All nine large squares were counted on each side. The dilution for this kit was pre-measured at 1:100. What should the technologist report as the white cell count?
Hepatitis B surface antigen, or HBs, is a protein that is present on the surface of the virus. The protein will be present via laboratory testing in the blood with acute and chronic HBV infections
Immunology
What sero-marker is the first marker to become positive in Hepatitis B and is associated with the infective stage?