Clinical Pathology

The Clinical Pathology department specializes in diagnosing diseases by studying cells, tissues, and body fluids. It plays a pivotal role in disease prevention, diagnosis, and management, providing critical insights into conditions ranging from infections to cancers. The department's tests help guide treatment plans, monitor progress, and assess the effectiveness of therapies.

Key Functions and Capabilities

1. Hematology Testing:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Analyzing red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets to assess general health, detect anemia, infection, and blood disorders.
• Coagulation Studies: Monitoring blood clotting function through tests like Prothrombin Time (PT), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), and D-dimer for diagnosing bleeding or clotting disorders.
• Hemoglobin A1c: Measuring long-term blood sugar control in diabetic patients by evaluating the percentage of glycated hemoglobin.

2. Urinalysis:

• Routine Urine Testing: Checking for pH, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, and specific gravity to identify infections, kidney issues, or metabolic conditions.
• Microscopic Examination: Analyzing sediment for the presence of red/white blood cells, bacteria, crystals, or casts, providing further insight into infections, kidney stones, or renal disease.

3. Body Fluid Analysis:

• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis: Detecting infections, hemorrhages, or neurological conditions through the analysis of CSF obtained via lumbar puncture.
• Synovial Fluid Analysis: Assessing joint fluid for infections, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis by evaluating cell counts, crystals, and biochemical markers.
• Pleural, Peritoneal, and Pericardial Fluid Analysis: Examining fluids from the chest or abdomen to diagnose infections, malignancies, or inflammatory conditions.

4. Microbiological Testing:

• Bacterial Cultures: Identifying pathogens in blood, urine, sputum, or other fluids to diagnose infections and determine antibiotic susceptibility.
• Parasitology: Examining stool samples for the presence of parasites such as Giardia or hookworm.
• Fungal and Viral Testing: Detecting fungal and viral infections through cultures or molecular techniques (e.g., PCR).

5. Cytopathology:

• Pap Smear Testing: Screening for cervical cancer and detecting precancerous or cancerous cells.
• Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA): Sampling cells from lumps or masses for diagnostic examination, often used for diagnosing tumors or lymph node enlargement.
• Body Fluid Cytology: Analyzing cells in body fluids (pleural, peritoneal) for the presence of malignancy or other conditions.

6. Immunology and Serology:

• Autoimmune Disease Testing: Detecting autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Sjögren's syndrome through autoantibody tests such as ANA, RF, and anti-CCP.
• Infectious Disease Serology: Diagnosing infections like hepatitis, HIV, and syphilis by detecting antibodies or antigens in blood.
• Allergy Testing: Identifying specific allergies through blood tests measuring levels of IgE antibodies.

7. Histopathology:

• Tissue Biopsy Examination: Analyzing tissue samples under the microscope to diagnose cancers, infections, and inflammatory diseases.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Using antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissue samples, aiding in the diagnosis of cancers and differentiating between tumor types.

8. Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine:

• Blood Typing and Cross-Matching: Ensuring safe blood transfusions by determining blood type and compatibility between donors and recipients.
• Antibody Screening: Detecting irregular antibodies that may cause transfusion reactions or hemolytic disease in newborns.

9. Infectious Disease Testing:

• Viral Load Testing: Monitoring infections like HIV or hepatitis through quantitative analysis of viral RNA/DNA.
• Septicemia Screening: Detecting blood-borne infections through blood cultures and determining the causative organism.

10. Molecular Pathology and Genetic Testing:

• PCR and DNA Sequencing: Detecting genetic mutations, viral infections, and bacterial pathogens through advanced molecular techniques.
• Cancer Genetic Profiling: Identifying genetic markers and mutations that drive cancer development, providing information for personalized treatments.

11. Advanced Technology & Automation:

• The department utilizes state-of-the-art automated analyzers, molecular diagnostics, and digital pathology tools to ensure precision and efficiency in diagnostics.