Using the laboratory : a handbook for medical practitioners / prepared on the advice of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee and the Central Pathology Committee.

  • Great Britain. Standing Medical Advisory Committee.
Date:
[1971]
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Using the laboratory : a handbook for medical practitioners / prepared on the advice of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee and the Central Pathology Committee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    48/108 (page 46)
    4,2 The routine investigations should comprise a cell count, total protein estimation, Pandy or other test for excess globulin, Lange colloidal gold curve, and Wassermann reaction. The cell count, which is the most delicate index of disease activity, must be carried out within an hour of the specimen being taken. Pregnancy Diagnosis Tests on Urine For pregnancy testing the use of animals has now been almost completely replaced by immunological methods of detection of chorionic gonadotrophin. It is advisable that these tests be carried out in pathology laboratories because it is essential that the estima- tions are properly controlled. Immunological tests are carried out on early morning specimens of urine, which should be keptin a refrigerator if storage is necessary. A minimum of about 5ml of urine is required. Different immunological tests vary in sensitivity but in general if the woman is pregnant the test will be positive from about 12 days after the date of missed menstrual period until a few days after delivery or intrauterine death: occasionally false negative results may occur after about 120 days. The very sensitive tests may give a positive result at about 5 days. In aclinically suspected early pregnancy a negative result should always be confirmed by testing after a further two weeks.