Exam 2: Body Fluids Flashcards
Why is KOH prep a good test for fungal infections?
The KOH dissolves host cells and bacteria, but spares the fungi and elastin fibers
What do multinucleated giant cells indicate on a Tzank prep?
HSV
What kind of testing do you use for cryptococci in CSF?
India ink
What is dark field microscopy and with what kind of infection is it useful for?
Used to evaluate bacteria that are too thin to absorb light from traditional microscopy.
Useful for diagnosing T. Pallidum (Syphilis)
Other than dark field microscopy, what other tests are useful for diagnosing Syphilis?
- Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL)
- Rapid plasma Reagin
CSF test and Fluorescent treponema antibody absorption Test (FTA-ABS) fall under what category of testing?
VDRL
What is the latex agglutination assay and what is it commonly used for?
- Detect pathogen specific antibodies and antigens.
- Used for CSF for meningococcal capsular antigen
What does Enzyme linked immunoassay do?
-Detect antibodies in the serum (requires previous infection) and used for multiple body fluids
What does indirect immunofluorescence assay do and what is it the primary test for?
- Detects antibodies in the serum or other body fluid
- primary test for ANA antibody
What is the minimun inhibitory concentration?
The lowest concentration of an Abx necessary to inhibit the visible growth of a specific organism
What is the procedure for obtaining blood cultures?
- Two different specimens must be ordered from at least two different sites that are not from the IV
- If one is positive and one is negative, the postive result is likely contaminant
What are the two types of effusions?
Transudative and exudative
What is a transudative effusion?
Accumulation of fluid in the body cavity due to filtration of blood serum across a physiologically intact vascular wall
What usually causes transudative effusions?
Pressure differences between body compartments (Hydrostatic and oncotic pressure) usually caused by systemic disease (CHF, hepatic cirrhosis, and nephrotic syndrome)
What is a exudative effusion?
Accumulation of fluid within a body cavity due to inflammation and vascular wall damage.
What are some common causes of exudative effusions?
Infection, malignancy, inflammatory disorder (RA, lupus), and trauma
What is the normal pleural fluid amount?
50ml
What is the normal WBC for pleural fluid?
<300ml
What are the most common cause of transudative pleural effusions?
CHF, cirrhosis, and nephrotic syndrome
What is the most common cause of exudative effusions and what most commonly causes that condition?
Exudative effusion most commonly caused by parapneumonic effusion, which is most commonly caused by bacterial PNA, Lung abscess, and bronchiectasis
What it the second most common cause of exudative pleural effusions?
Malignancy (Lung CA, breast CA, and lymphoma
What kind of effusion can a pulmonary embolism cause?
Both transudative and exudative
What kind of effusions are hemothorax and chylothorax?
Exudative effusion
What is the contraindication of thoracentesis?
Caution with significant thrombocytopenia
How can you prevent re-expansion pulmonary edema when performing a thoracentesis?
- Do remove more than 1 L
- Do not perform bilaterally
How does the protein fluid/protein serum ratio of pleural fluid differ in transudative and exudative pleural effusions?
Transudative: Protein fluid/protein serum ration <0.5
Exudative: Protein fluid/protein serum ratio >0.5
How does the LDH fluid/LDH serum ratio in pleural fluid differs in transudative and exudative pleural effusions?
Transudative: LDH fluid/LDH serum ratio <0.6
Exudative: LDH fluid / LDH serum ratio >0.6
What are the possible causes of pleural fluid with a pH of <7.3?
Infection, esophageal rupture, and neoplasm
What are the possible causes of amylase elevation in pleural fluid?
Pancreatitis, esophageal rupture, and malignancy
What are the possible causes of triglycerides or lipids in the pleural fluid?
Chylous effusion