DIagnostic Methods Flashcards
Why is PCR for diagnosis of dermatophytosis not confirm active infection?
PCR detection of dermatophyte DNA can be helpful, however a positive PCR does not necessarily indicateactive infection, as dead fungal organisms from a successfully treated infection will still be detected on PCR, as will non-infected fomite carriers.
Negative PCR in a treated cat is compatible with cure. Negative fungal culture from a cat with no lesions and a negative Wood’s lamp (except for glowing tips) is compatible with cure
What is the fluorescence length of Wood’s lamp?
It is transparent in the violet/
ultraviolet band between 320 and 400 nm with a peak at 365 nm and a broad range of infrared and the longest, least visible red wavelengths
The original glass filter material has been replaced by newer materials (e.g. barium-sodium-silicate glass incorporating 9% nickel oxide) that coat the inside of glasstubes.
What causes the fluorescence of hair shafts under Wood’s lamp?
The characteristic green fluorescence observed on M. canis-infected hair shafts is due to a water-soluble chemical metabolite (pteridine) located within the cortex or medulla of the hair. The fluorescence is due to a chemical interaction that occurs as a result of the infection and is not associated with spores or infective material.
How do you test for D-Dimers in a vasculitis case?
A monoclonal antibody-based assay is available to detect D-dimers in the blood. Using a cutoff of greater than 500 ng/ml - there was a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 64%.
Congo Red is used to stain for what in histopathologic sections?
Staining with Congo Red (CR) is a qualitative method used for the identification of amyloids in vitro and in tissue sections.
CD3
T cells (alpha-beta and gamma-delta)
CD79a
B cell (component of B cell antigen receptor) Minimally expressed in plasma cells
CD20
B cells (regulates B cell activation /proliferation) Not expressed in plasma cells
CD18
All leukocytes
Histiocyte marker in combination with CD3 and CD79a
CD90 (Thy-1)
Interstitial dendritic cells
NOT expressed by Langerhans cells
c-Kit
Mast cells (and hematopoietic progenitor cells)
E-cadherin
Langerhans cells (used to indicate cutaneous histiocytoma) Also expressed by epithelial cells and some leukocytes
Granzyme B
A serine protease most commonly found in the granules of natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T cells.
CD8+ T cells and NK cells
Ki67
Cell proliferation marker (determines growth fraction of cell population)
MUM1/IRF4
Plasma cell marker (transcription factor)
Melan-A
Melanoma indicator
Pancytokeratin
Marker for squamous cell carcinoma
Myeloperoxidase (MPO)
Neutrophils and monocytes (lysosomal protein stored in granules)
Ziehl-Neelson Stain
Acid Fast Bacteria = RED
Masson Trichrome
Mature Collagen = Blue
Immature collagen, keratin, muscle and nerves = Red
Oil red O
Lipids = Red
Verhoeff’s Stain
Elastin and Nuclei = Black
Sudan Black B
Lipids = Green or Black
Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS)
Fungi, glycogen, mucopolysaccharides and tissue debris = Red
Alcian Blue
Acid mucopolysaccharides = Blue
Toluidine Blue
Acid mucopolysaccharide and mast cell granules = purple