Medical Laboratory Technology-Juba South Sudan

20/07/2025

13/07/2025

VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) Test

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1. Objective

The objective of the test was to detect non-treponemal antibodies (reagin) in the blood, which appeared in response to cell damage caused by Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis.

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2. Principle

The VDRL test was a flocculation test. When the patient’s serum contained reagin antibodies, they reacted with cardiolipin-lecithin-cholesterol antigen and formed visible clumps (floccules) on a glass slide.

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3. Materials

Patient’s serum or plasma (no hemolysis)

VDRL antigen (prepared suspension)

Rotating mechanical shaker

Glass slide or ceramic plate with test circles

Pipette

Microscope (for confirmation if required)

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4. Procedure

1. 50 µL of patient serum was placed in a test circle on the slide.

2. 50 µL of VDRL antigen was added to the serum.

3. The slide was rotated on a mechanical shaker at 180 rpm for 4 minutes.

4. The mixture was observed for visible clumping.

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5. Result

Reactive (Positive): Fine clumps or floccules visible → Suggests syphilis infection

Non-Reactive (Negative): Smooth suspension without clumping → No antibodies detected

Weakly Reactive: Slight clumping, requires confirmation with treponemal tests

Note: A positive result should be followed by a confirmatory treponemal test (e.g., FTA-ABS, TPHA).

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6. Uses

Screening test for syphilis

Monitoring response to syphilis treatment

Not specific for T. pallidum – false positives may occur in pregnancy, malaria, autoimmune diseases

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7. Conclusion

The VDRL test served as an important screening tool for syphilis, but due to its non-specific nature, positive results required confirmation with specific treponemal tests.

30/04/2025

Part of Urinalysis

30/04/2025

Urine Analysis Details:

1. Types of Urine Analysis
- Physical examination
- Chemical examination
- Microscopic examination

2. Physical Examination (Macroscopic):

Test Normal Interpretation if Abnormal:
Color Pale yellow (urochrome pigment)
Red (blood),
Brown (myoglobin),
Dark yellow (dehydration)
Clarity Clear Cloudy (infection, crystals, mucus)
Odor Slight smell Foul (infection),
Sweet (ketones in diabetes)
Volume 800–2000 mL/day (normal)
High (polyuria),
Low (oliguria)

3. Chemical Examination (Urine Dipstick Method):

Test Normal Abnormal Findings:
pH 4.5 – 8
High: UTI;
Low: Acidosis

Specific Gravity 1.005 – 1.030
Low: Overhydration;
High: Dehydration

Protein Negative
Positive: Kidney disease (proteinuria)

Glucose Negative
Positive: Diabetes mellitus

Ketones Negative
Positive: Diabetic ketoacidosis, fasting

Blood Negative
Positive: Stones, infection, trauma

Bilirubin Negative
Positive: Liver disease

Urobilinogen Normal trace
Increased: Liver disease, hemolysis

Nitrites Negative
Positive: Bacterial infection (Gram-negatives)

Leukocyte esterase Negative
Positive: WBCs, infection

4. Microscopic Examination:

What is Seen Normal Interpretation
Red Blood Cells (RBCs) 0–2 / hpf Hematuria (infection, stones, trauma)
White Blood Cells (WBCs) 0–5 / hpf Infection (UTI)
Epithelial Cells Few Many: Contamination or pathology
Casts Rare hyaline casts RBC casts (glomerulonephritis), WBC casts (pyelonephritis)
Crystals Occasional Uric acid, calcium oxalate, infection-related crystals
Bacteria/Yeasts None Infection
Spermatozoa None May be normal after ej*******on
(hpf = high-power field under microscope)

5. Special Urine Tests
- 24-hour urine collection: For protein quantification, creatinine clearance measurement.
- Urine culture: To detect and identify infection-causing organisms.
- Urine cytology: For suspected urinary tract malignancies.
- Dipstick microalbuminuria: Early marker for diabetic nephropathy.
Note: Proper collection