Clinical pathology
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Clinical pathology is a
Clinical pathology is a term used in the US, UK, Ireland, many Commonwealth countries, Portugal, Brazil, Italy, Japan, and Peru; countries using the equivalent in the home language of "laboratory medicine" include Austria, Germany, Romania, Poland and other Eastern European countries; other terms are "clinical analysis" (Spain) and "clinical/medical biology (France, Belgium, Netherlands, North and West Africa).[1]
Licensing and subspecialities
The American Board of Pathology certifies clinical pathologists, and recognizes the following secondary specialties of clinical pathology:
- Chemical pathology, also called clinical chemistry
- Hematopathology
- Blood banking - Transfusion medicine
- Clinical microbiology
- Cytogenetics
- Molecular genetics pathology.
In some countries other sub specialities fall under certified
- Reproductive biology including Assisted reproductive technology, Sperm bank and Semen analysis
- Immunopathology
Organization
Clinical pathologists are often medical doctors. In some countries in
In United States of America
Clinical pathologists work in close collaboration with clinical scientists (clinical biochemists, clinical microbiologists, etc.),
Clinical pathology is one of the two major divisions of
Clinical pathology is itself divided into subspecialties, the main ones being
In Europe
Recently, EFLM has chosen the name of "Specialists in Laboratory Medicine" to define all European Clinical pathologists, regardless of their training (M.D., Ph.D. or Pharm.D.).[4]
In France, Clinical Pathology is called Medical Biology ("Biologie médicale") and is practiced by both M.D.s and Pharm.D.s. The residency lasts four years. Specialists in this discipline are called "Biologiste médical" which literally translates as
Tools
Microscopes, analyzers, strips, centrifuges
Macroscopic examination
The visual examination of the taken liquid is a first main indication for the pathologist or the physician. The aspect of the liquid, in addition, conditions the analytical assumption of responsibility that follow and the validity of the end-results.
Microscopical examination
Microscopic analysis is an important activity of the pathologist and the laboratory assistant. They have many different colorings at their disposal (GRAM, MGG, Grocott, Ziehl–Neelsen, etc.). Immunofluorescence, cytochemistry, the immunocytochemistry, and FISH are also used in order make a correct diagnosis.
This stage allows the pathologist to determine the character of the liquid: "normal", tumoral, inflammatory, or even infectious. Microscopic examination can also determine the causal infectious agent – often a bacterium, mould, yeast, parasite, or (rarely) virus.
Physical Analyzers
Automated analysers, by the association of robotics and spectrophotometry, have allowed these last decades better reproducibility of the results of proportionings, in particular in medical biochemistry and hematology[clarification needed].
The companies of in vitro diagnosis henceforth try to sell chains of automats, i.e. a system allowing the automatic transfer of the tubes towards the various types of automats of the same mark. These systems can include the computer-assisted management of a serum library.
These analysers must undergo daily controls to guarantee a result just possible, one speaks about quality control. These analysers must also undergo daily, weekly and monthly maintenance.
Cultures
A big part of the examinations of clinical pathology, primarily in medical microbiology, use culture media. Those allow, for example, the description of one or several infectious agents responsible of the clinical signs.
Values known as "normal" or reference values
Detailed article: Reference range.
See also
- Pathology
- Medical laboratory
- Anatomic pathology
- Medical technologist
- Veterinary pathology
- Clinical Biologist
Notes and references
- ^ "Textes Généraux, Ministère de la Santé et des Sports". Journal Officiel de la République Française. Décrets, arrêtés, circulaires (Texte 15 sur 54). 20 June 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2019. Note: This document does not cover all countries listed.
- ^ "Bulletin officiel du n°32 du 4 septembre 2003 - MENS0301444A". www.education.gouv.fr. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
- ^ Description of Pathology in USA
- PMID 23092058.)
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ Reglementation for French Residency in Clinical Pathology Archived 2008-02-28 at the Wayback Machine