Accuprobe Awareness

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is a valuable diagnostic tool used not only in the detection and monitoring of multiple myeloma but also in various other medical conditions. Here are some examples: Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS): SPEP is crucial in diagnosing MGUS, a condition where there is a presence of abnormal proteins (monoclonal proteins or M-proteins) in the blood, which may progress to multiple myeloma or related disorders over time. Amyloidosis: SPEP can help identify abnormal proteins associated with amyloidosis, a condition characterized by the deposition of abnormal proteins in various tissues and organs, leading to organ dysfunction. Waldenström Macroglobulinemia: In this condition, there is an overproduction of a specific type of abnormal protein called IgM. SPEP can help in detecting the presence of IgM in the blood. Chronic Inflammatory Conditions: Chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus...

Pyuria is the pathological finding of the presence of leucocytes or white blood cells, commonly referred to as pus cells, in the urine. It may be indicative of various health conditions, but it is most commonly associated with a urinary tract infection (UTI).   Sterile pyuria can be defined as the presence of leucocytes in the urine but absence of infection with standard culture techniques.  Sterile pyuria is misleading term, as commonest cause for the finding is undoubtedly infection of some sort.  It is a relatively common problem, with a wide range of causes.  It could be infectious or non-infectious, depending on conditions.  Sterile pyuria may be due to a partially treated urinary tract infection (even one dose of antibiotic before urine collection), a recently treated UTI (pyuria often remains for one-two weeks after clearing infection), a UTI with fastidious or slow growing atypical organisms that fail to grow during standard laboratory culture. Ot...