Laboratory methods
Impact of Hemolysis on AST Levels in Biochemistry
Analysis of preanalytical error: how unnoticed sample hemolysis leads to falsely elevated AST in blood biochemistry and erroneous suspicion of hepatitis.
Articles
Blood and bone marrow morphology, clinical cases and diagnostic algorithms. Most of the library is in Russian; the English section is growing.
Most of our material is written in Russian — that is the working language of the community. A few pieces exist in English; the rest of the library is one click away and the photographs need no translation.
Lab test interpretation
Urine Amylase Determination by Caraway Method in Pancreatitis
Examples of sharp increases in urine diastase and blood amylase post-holidays. Features of 1:10 and 1:100 urine dilution in the amyloclastic analysis method.
Hematology
Plasmacyte or Plasmacytoid Lymphocyte: Blood Smear Challenge
A morphological hematology exercise: identify which numbered cell in the blood smear is a plasmacytoid lymphocyte and which is a plasma cell.
Lab test interpretation
Charcot-Leyden Crystals in Infant Coprogram: A Case Study
Charcot-Leyden crystals detected during stool microscopy in a 4-month-old infant. This article discusses the diagnostic significance of this eosinophilic inflammation marker.
Oncohematology
Hyperleukocytosis and Promonocytes in Acute Leukemia
Clinical case of leukemia in a 73-year-old patient: hyperleukocytosis up to 131×10⁹/L and 77% promonocytes in peripheral blood. Cell morphology in the smear.
Lab test interpretation
Renal Epithelial Cells in Urine Sediment: Morphology
Renal tubular epithelial cells in urine sediment: morphological features, microscopic identification, and clinical significance in kidney diseases.
Parasitology
Microscopy of Opisthorchis Eggs in Feces by Concentration Method
Microscopic detection of Opisthorchis felineus eggs in feces using the formalin-ether concentration method. Diagnosis of opisthorchiasis in seropositive patients.
Lab test interpretation
Leptotrichia Bacteria in Urine Sediment: Microscopic Analysis
Morphological features of Leptotrichia (Leptothrix) bacteria in urine sediment microscopy: identification of filamentous bacteria in a native preparation.
Hematology
Disseminated Candidiasis in Peripheral Blood Smear
Peripheral blood smear in a child with disseminated candidiasis: phagocytosis of Candida cells by neutrophils, toxic granulation of the cytoplasm.
Lab test interpretation
Stool Microscopy: Round Elements in Lugol's Prep
A diagnostic challenge in stool microscopy: round elements were found in a Lugol's solution preparation from an elderly patient. What could they be?
Lab test interpretation
Cystine Crystals in Urine Sediment: Microscopy
Morphological features of cystine crystals in urine sediment: differentiating hexagonal plates from leukocytes and erythrocytes during microscopy.
Laboratory methods
Optical Platelet Count (PLT-O) on Hematology Analyzer
Understanding the principle of optical fluorescent platelet counting (PLT-O) in the RET channel of a hematology analyzer, scattergram interpretation, and IPF fraction.