Coombs test (aka antiglobulin test, AGT) are 2 blood tests used in immunohematology. [faq]Coombs test, has that got anything to do with honeycombs ;P? Not really ;). Another name for it is...

GVHD (Graft-versus-host disease) is a common complication following allogeneic (i.e. recipient from a genetically non-identical donor of the same species) tissue transplant. Pathophysiology WBC's in the tissue (the graft) recognize the recipient...

DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) is complication in Pt's with diabetes mellitus (especially type 1). [faq]I understand DKA is an extreme, but is it an extreme in terms of too much blood sugar,...

Perinatal infection (aka vertically transmitted infection) is an infection transmitted directly from the mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth. Pathophysiology Can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or rarely, parasites It is caused...

Eye disease is disease of the eye. Classification Disorders of: Eyelid, lacrimal system, orbit Conjunctiva Sclera, cornea, iris, ciliary body Lens Choroid, retina Glaucoma Vitreous body, globe Optic nerve, visual pathways Ocular muscles, binocular movement, accommodation, refraction Visual disturbances and blindness Other disorders...

Pregnancy (or gestation) is the development of [one or more] embryo (first 8 weeks following fertilization) and later fetus (9th week afer fertilzation) in a woman's uterus. Gest is shorthand for Gestation. Gravid means...

FIbrosis is a reactive response to injury, that involves formation of scarred, fibrous connective tissue. It can thus obliterature the architecture, and thus function of the original tissue. Pathophysiology Macrophages release TGF...

Hair loss (aka alopecia, baldness) is loss of hair from the head/body. Sx Can be general hair loss, or male pattern hair loss Classification Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder Alopecia totalis, which involves the loss...

Porphyria is a disease where poryphyrins (i.e. chemicals, required by the body to produce heme, which carries oxygen in the blood) accumulate. Pathophysiology Occurs because there is a deficiency (inherited or acquired) of...

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by parasitic protazoans, belonging ot the genus Plasmodium. Sx Flu-like Sx, initially Fatigue Headache Fever Shivering Joint pain Vomiting Hemolytic anemia Hemoglobinuria (hemoglobin in urine) Retinopathy (retinal damage) In severe cases: Jaundice (yellow skin) Seizures/convulsions Comas Death Sx usually begins...