Cytopathology of infectious diseases and autofluorescence on Papanicolaou stained smears as an ancillary test

International Conference on Cytopathology

August 31-September 02, 2015 Toronto, Canada

Greta S Neethling

National Health Laboratory Services, South Africa

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Cytol Histol

Abstract :

South Africa has a very high burden of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. With this high percentage of immuno-compromised patients, we see opportunistic and other infections on a frequent basis.I will be presenting various case studies which will include fungi, bacteria, protozoa, viruses and other parasites including the various cytological pictures seen in patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Autofluorescence is an ideal ancillary test to perform on these conventional Papanicolaou stained smears from patients in whom pathogenic infections are suspected. A broad spectrum of organisms may be identified with this simple technique without destroying the original smear. Organisms were subjected to fluorescent microscopy which showed various degrees of green to yellow fluorescence highlighting the cell walls. The advent of inexpensive LED fluorescent microscopes makes this technology affordable in resource limited countries.

Biography :

Email: greta.neethling@nhls.ac.za