Author: ARTHUR LUCIANO

Imagine your body as a highly sophisticated fortress, constantly on alert against invaders like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The cellular defense mechanisms are the soldiers and defenses that protect you from disease, ensuring your body’s integrity and health. These defenses involve a variety of specialized cells, primarily white blood cells (leukocytes), each with unique roles in defending against infections and maintaining immune surveillance. In this article, we will explore the five main types of leukocytes—neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes—and their roles in natural (innate) and acquired (adaptive) immunity. We will also delve into how these cells participate in…

Picture your body as a well-run city. When all’s well, all systems work together in harmony. But when there’s an invasion—let’s say a bacterial infection or injury to tissue—your body must react swiftly to defend and repair itself. One of its initial reactions is the release of acute-phase reactants. Special proteins, these reactants surge in the blood rapidly during inflammation or tissue injury. It’s essential that medical laboratory students and healthcare personnel know about these reactants since they’re important indicators of inflammation, infection, or tissue injury. In this essay, we will cover what acute-phase reactants are, their functions, how they…

Immunity and Immunization, with immunity as key principle of immunology, is the capability of the body to fight off foreign entities called antigens. As medical laboratory scientists, it is critical to comprehend the functioning of immunity for proper diagnosis, effective treatment, and vaccine development. Although humans have been trying to avert illness for centuries, the field of immunology has been pursued in an organized manner only in the past 100 years. Now, discoveries like cellular and humoral immunity form the basis of current diagnostics and therapeutics. Question: In what ways has our knowledge of immunity revolutionized how we combat infectious…

Introduction to Tissue Fixation in Histopathology In histopathology, the accurate examination of tissues depends heavily on proper fixation. Fixation stabilizes tissue structure and preserves molecules like proteins, DNA, and lipids, enabling reliable microscopic analysis. Without effective fixation, tests such as staining, immunohistochemistry, and molecular analysis become unreliable or impossible. Why Is Fixation Important? How Do Fixatives Work? Fixatives act through several mechanisms: Note: Compound fixatives may combine these mechanisms for better preservation. Common Fixatives and Their Pros & Cons 1. Formalin (10% neutral buffered formalin) 2. Alcohol-based fixatives 3. Other fixatives (e.g., glutaraldehyde, Bouin’s solution) Challenges and Limitations Example: Formaldehyde…

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne virus with high virulence that leads to a severe zoonotic disease referred to as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF). Being a recognized important public health problem, particularly in the African, Asian, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern regions, CCHFV is challenging because of its high mortality rate and risk of hospital-acquired outbreaks.This lecture aims to provide an overview of CCHFV, its virology, epidemiology, transmission, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It is aimed at medical students, health professionals, and researchers with emphasis on simplicity, humanized text, and recallable facts. 1. Virology of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic…

A basic tenet of tumor immunology is that when a normal cell transforms into a malignant cell, it produces specific antigens not found in mature normal cells. Tumor markers are substances that can be found in the blood, urine, or tissues of individuals with cancer. These markers are produced by cancer cells or by the body in response to cancer. The presence of tumor markers can help in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of cancer. In recent years, tumor markers have become an important tool in the fight against cancer, as they can provide valuable information about the type and…

Toxoplasma gondii is a fascinating and complex parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans. It is estimated that over one-third of the world’s population has been exposed to this parasite, making it one of the most successful and widespread parasites on the planet. Despite its prevalence, many people are unaware of the potential health risks associated with Toxoplasma gondii and the various ways in which it can be transmitted. Therefore, it is crucial to delve into the biology, transmission methods, and potential consequences of this parasite to better understand its impact on both human and animal…

Cystoisospora belli, formerly known as Isospora belli, is a parasite that can infect the intestines of humans. This parasite is typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, where poor sanitation and hygiene practices can contribute to its spread. Infection with Cystoisospora belli can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of this parasite and its potential impact on human health in order to properly diagnose and treat infected individuals. Through this article, you’ll be able to answer the following questions: Classification…

Blastocystis hominis is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal infection known as blastocystosis. It is primarily transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. The parasite is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions, but cases have been reported worldwide due to international travel and imported food. Blastocystis hominis infection can lead to symptoms such as watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fatigue, which can last for several weeks if left untreated. It is important to practice good hygiene and food safety measures to prevent the spread of this parasite. Some preventive measures include washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly…

Balantidium coli is the only ciliated protozoan and the largest protozoan parasite that routinely infects humans. The parasite causes a zoonotic disease (Balantidiasis), which occurs throughout the world, but the prevalence of human infection is not known. It was first described by Malmsten in 1857 in the feces of dysenteric patients. It is endemic in countries like Japan, New Guinea, Micronesia, the Seychelles Islands, Thailand, South Africa, Central and South America, and Europe. Sporadic epidemics have been recorded in institutionalized populations. Transmission is fecal-oral, from where the parasite migrates to the large intestine, causing amoebic diarrhea or frank dysentery with…