Page 18 - parasitology for medical and clinical laboratoryprofessionals

xvi PREFACE

The principle of “GIGO”—“Garbage in Garbage Out” the laboratory professionals to handle fresh specimens.
applies to pre- and post-analytical processes, leading to Safety in the area of parasitology also includes handling
quality results. Some of the important factors influencing of specimens and disposal of specimens after processing.
quality are listed here: The proper manner in which to dispose of specimens is
the responsibility of the student, the instructor, and the
1. Specimen
health care workers who may come into contact with the
This is the single most important factor. Selection
of the right sample, proper collection the correct various specimens. Handling of chemicals such as stains
and concentrating fluid, as well as formalin used for pre-
sample (may be timed), adequate quantity, proper
transportation with a preservative if required, to the serving samples, also pose a hazard to the laboratory
worker. In addition, it is easy for the laboratory worker to
laboratory and processing of the sample before test-
ing, are crucial pre-analytic efforts. contract a parasitic infection unless protective equipment
is used, personal hygiene is observed, and specimens are
2. Personnel properly handled and discarded.
The quality of the laboratory results generated is
directly proportional to the education and training of
the laboratory professional. The staff should be moni- FEATURES
tored for commitment and motivation by supervisory
personnel who can do a gread deal in setting a climate Each chapter opens with a list of learning objectives and
that demands accuracy and zealous performance. key terms that highlight important topics and terminol-
ogy throughout the text. Microscopic Diagnostic Features
3. Environmental factors
(MDF) throughout the book consist of standardized lists
Factors that impact accurate processing and analy- of distinguishing characteristics of microscopic parasites
sis include inadequate lighting, workspace or ven-
for easy identification by students. The features provided
tilation, and other unsafe conditions may influence that enable identification and differentiation of various
laboratory results.
species of parasites include a number of characteristics.
4. Analytical factors These include the specimen type, stage of the organism
The quality of reagents, chemicals, glassware, stains, that most readily lends itself to quick identification, as
culture media, reagent grade water supply, and use well as size and shape of the organism and its nucleus(i)
of standard procedures and reliable equipment along with other features including the appearance of
all influence laboratory results. The failure to ad- the cytoplasm and the type of motility, if present. The
equately examine the specimen by surveying a suf- MDF is especially useful when differentiating between
ficient number of microscope fields can lead to false organisms with similar morphology, some of which may
negative results. be nonpathogenic and would then require no treatment.
5. Post-analytical factors The initial narrative and images provided for each para-
Transcription errors, incomplete reports, and im- sitic organism that precede the MDF will provide clues as
proper interpretation can adversely influence the to the identification of the parasite in question.
laboratory results. These are perhaps the most eas- Chapters conclude with Case Studies and Study
ily managed category of error, as a supervisor may Questions to further test students’ comprehension of the
approve the results before they are disseminated by material presented throughout the text. Diagnoses to the
using a standardized set of factors to ensure that the case studies can be found in the instructor’s manual that ac-
report is complete and accurate. companies the text.

Safety in the Laboratory and HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Specimen Contact
It is important to know the history of the study of parasites
Safety is the responsibility of everyone in the labora- and some of the misconceptions associated with them. It
tory. Duties when performing parasitology procedures is equally important to understand the widespread nature
often require counseling of patients as to the proper col- of parasites and the ecological niches they occupy, and
lection and transport of specimens, as well as requiring the steps in the life cycles of each species. The vectors,