Cortisol Assay
Cortisol, a steroid hormone, is synthesized from cholesterol. It is synthesized in the zona fasciculata layer of the adrenal cortex. Cortisol has many functions in the human body, such as mediating the stress response, regulating metabolism, the inflammatory response, and immune function. Blood levels of cortisol vary throughout the day, but generally are higher in […]
Insulin Production
Insulin is considered one of the main anabolic hormones produced in the human body and aids in the regulation of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. It does this by promoting the absorption of glucose from blood into liver cells, skeletal muscle cells, or fat cells. From there, glucose is converted and stored as glycogen or […]
Moraxella catarrhalis
Moraxella catarrhalis is a type of bacteria that is part of the normal flora of the human respiratory system. It is Gram-negative bacteria that can cause many diseases in children and adults, such as Acute Otitis Media, Sinusitis, and COPD. In rare cases, it can cause Pneumonia or Bronchitis in adults with weakened immune systems […]
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative rod that grows in aerobic conditions. It is a multidrug-resistant pathogen associated with hospital-acquired infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, sepsis, and urinary tract infections. This bacterium is considered an opportunistic organism because it can cause very serious infections in those with preexisting conditions – most notably cystic fibrosis and immunocompromised patients. When […]
Vitamin B12
The Vitamin B12 assay is an in vitro test used for the quantitative determination of Vitamin B12 in human serum and plasma. Vitamin B12 is necessary for DNA synthesis, cellular energy production, and red blood cell production. Vitamin B12 deficiency was introduced in 1849 and was originally thought to be fatal. This changed in 1926 when it was discovered that a […]
TSH Assay
The TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) assay is an in vitro test used for the quantitative determination of TSH in human serum and plasma. This hormone regulates weight, body temperature, muscle strength, and a person’s mood. The Thyrotropin-releasing hormone, which is produced by the hypothalamus, controls the production of TSH. The Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is also regulated by the Free T4 (thyroxine) and […]
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
A new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, lineage B.1.1.529 was first detected in Botswanan on November 11, 2021, and South Africa on November 14, 2021. It is noted that Omicron has over 30 mutations, several of which (eg 69–70del, T95I, G142D/143–145del, K417N, T478K, N501Y, N655Y, N679K, and P681H) overlap with those in the alpha, beta, gamma or […]
Giardia Lamblia
Giardia lamblia is a flagellated unicellular eukaryotic microorganism that is a common cause of diarrhea in humans along with other mammals all over the world. This stool parasite is the main reason for waterborne outbreaks of diarrhea in the United States. It is also on occasion seen as a cause of foodborne diarrhea, according to the […]
Otitis Externa “Swimmer’s Ear”
Otitis externa (also known as “swimmer’s ear”) is inflammation of the external ear canal. It is often caused by moisture being trapped in the ear canal or an injury to the ear. These can cause a bacterial or fungal infection that responds well to topical treatment. Some people are more susceptible to severe infection that can […]
Understanding and Detecting HSV
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) can be categorized into two types, Herpes Simplex 1 (HSV-1), and Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV-2); both of which rarely exhibit symptoms and have limited treatment options, are becoming increasingly common pathogens. Initial infections occur in openings in the skin or mucus membranes. The virus continues to replicate and spreads into the […]