Abstract Almost every portion of the human body can be infected in some manner by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Symptoms of infection range widely from a mild or asymptomatic upper respiratory virus to severe and life-threatening infections such as…
Abstract Background A subset of hemostatic disorders are due to an imbalance in coagulation or fibrinolysis. Disorders of coagulation or fibrinolysis can be either inherited (e.g., hemophilia A) or acquired (e.g., liver disease), and the clinical presentation is typically either…
Abstract Primary hemostasis is characterized by vascular contraction, platelet adhesion, and formation of a platelet thrombus. It begins immediately after endothelial disruption with platelets and von Willebrand factor (VWF) being the key components in the initiation of hemostatic process. This…
Abstract Background Hemostasis is a physiologic process involving platelets, coagulation and fibrinolysis proteins, and blood vessels that maintain blood in the fluid state under normal conditions but rapidly form a blood clot at sites of injury. Intact endothelial cells lining…
Abstract Background Red cell metabolism provides the cell with energy to pump ions against electrochemical gradients, maintain its shape, keep iron from hemoglobin in its reduced form, and maintain enzyme and hemoglobin sulfhydryl groups. The main source of metabolic energy…
Abstract Background Disorders of hemoglobin (Hb) are collectively the commonest Mendelian disease found in humans. These disorders encompass both thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies. Thalassemia refers to quantitative deficiencies of one or more globin sub-units of the Hb molecule, with α-thalassemia and…
Abstract Background A fundamental understanding of the basis and clinical significance of standard laboratory tests in hematology and associated peripheral blood smear findings is essential for analysis and interpretation of certain chemistry test results. The overlap between hematology and chemistry…
Abstract Background Leukocytes comprise a wide variety of cell types, and evaluation of these components is critical in medical and clinical laboratory practice. Although sensitive laboratory methods may offer strong clues about leukocyte abnormalities, accurate morphologic evaluation of these cells…
Abstract Background The roots of automated hematology began with manual microscopy and laborious cell counting techniques. Using the Coulter principle and advances in laboratory methodology, automated hematology is now rapid and inexpensive with the complete blood cell count (CBC) being…
Abstract Background Pharmacogenetics describes how genes influence drug response. Genes can impact either the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of a drug to influence the dose required and associated therapeutic or toxic effects. Pharmacogenetic testing performed before drug administration may guide the…