Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd.

  Clinicians have been relying on urine testing, which  is giving medical experts a plethora of information,  to monitor patients’ renal function which can be impacted by COVID-19.  Involvement of kidney Researchers have been able to successfully isolate SARS-CoV-2 from the urine sample of an infected patient, suggesting that the virus attacks the kidneys. SARS-CoV-2 uses the Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE 2) receptor for entry and multiplication. Therefore cells expressing ACE2 may be target cells and are thus susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Such cells include alveolar type II cells of the lungs and podocytes which are typically found in the kidneys. Once it enters the cells, the virus causes sepsis leading to cytokine storm syndrome or direct cellular injury.    Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) - an independent risk factor Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) or acute renal failure is a sudden episode of kidney failure or damage that happens within in a short period of time. It is most common

SARS-CoV-2 continues to baffle medical experts with its presentations. It is crucial for clinicians to identify early, those who are at risk. This will aid them in recognizing the future need for admission to ICU, improve allocation of patients for specific therapies and initiation of preventive strategies.   While initially it was assumed that the virus damages only the lungs, studies have concluded its impact on various other organs too. Routine parameters in blood and urine are useful to provide novel insights in the patho-physiology of COVID-19 and its severity.  Significant reduction in Absolute Lymphocyte Count and Hemoglobin, is associated with increase in total WBC count, absolute Neutrophil count, ESR, Prothrombin Time and Pro-calcitonin. These lab findings, especially elevated Ferritin, suggest an imminent ‘Cytokine Storm’ which might lead to complications like Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Pneumonia and Multi-organ Failure (MOD). Important laboratory parameters

  Early on researchers had observed the complications of abnormal blood clotting in COVID-19 patients.  D Dimer, a coagulation marker, is playing an important role in early identification of complications caused due to blood clotting and thus aiding in treatment of severe COVID-19 cases. How blood clots are proving to be fatal in COVID-19 Early on, while doctors were still trying to understand COVID-19, signs of blood clotting were being detected in different organs. Nephorologists were noticing dialysis catheters getting plugged with clots. Neurosurgeons were witnessing a surge in patients with strokes.  “Researchers have found stroke rate to be seven times higher in patients with severe COVID-19 than those with severe seasonal flu(1).” Evolving clinical resources confirm a convoluted role of abnormal blood clotting in COVID-19 that manifests in the form of both micro thrombosis (formation of small blood clots) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE is a condition when a blood clot may

The world over, countries are eagerly waiting for a vaccine to give their people protection against SARS-CoV-2. In the interim period, health officials are relying on serology (antibody) testing for public health decision making and bringing life back to normal. Critical use of antibody tests The presentation of symptoms and a positive RT-PCR test gives a confirmation of the COVID-19 infection. However, there is a large population that remains asymptomatic and hence undiagnosed. In fact, various studies conducted at different times during this pandemic, have indicated to a significantly large population in India being asymptomatic. And that has led to the speculation about whether or not these people can further transmit the virus. Obviously, this can be dangerous for India in the long run, if these asymptomatic carriers remain untraced. This is where antibody testing plays an important role. While RT-PCR and antigen tests assess the viral load in infected patients; antibody test helps

“When the going gets tough, the tough gets going”, a famous adage that makes more sense now than even before! While each of us has our own unique stories to tell from the lockdown, we present to you experiences of our very own frontline heroes, who lived up to Transasia’s vision of a Healthier India! This is not a narrative from a Bollywood movie, of an actor fighting all odds to win over his love, or a sci-fi flick of a superhero saving the world from ETs. These are true experiences of grit and determination, of working with your heart, to give it all you have for a healthier nation! While the COVID pandemic and ensuing lockdown left most with no choice but to work from home, there were some for whom it did not matter whether an area was declared a containment zone or a hotspot. What mattered for these great heroes was that they are the face of India’s leading In-vitro Diagnostic Company, and providers of essential diagnostic services. So, while India came to a standstill, it was co

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has once again turned the spotlight on to pathologists and laboratory medicine, not to miss out the indispensable role of microbiologists, virologists and biochemists. Now more than ever, their role can be compared to that of a film director, who remains behind the scene but calls the shots! By now we all know that blood samples and naso and oropharyngeal swabs are been collected by PPE clad, trained laboratory professionals for COVID-19 testing. But have you ever wondered what happens after you give your samples? How are the various results arrived at? How does the Doctor arrive at a treatment plan based on these numbers? It is the pathologist and his team of trained clinical laboratory personnel who don the hats of both a physician and a scientist to give all answers. Pathology - the backbone of medicine Pathology is a marvelous medical science that underpins every aspect of patient care, from diagnosis, monitoring and interpretation of clinical findings

It is interesting to know how a routine blood test can give the clinician a plethora of information! Pathologists the world over are relying on various hematology parameters for severity assessment of COVID-19. Renowned scientific and clinical publications have now concluded that various biochemistry and hematology parameters play an essential role in the early detection, prognosis and management of COVID-19. Significant reduction in absolute Lymphocyte count and Hemoglobin, is associated with the increase in total WBC count, absolute Neutrophil count, ESR, Prothrombin Time, D-Dimer, C-Reactive Protein and Pro-calcitonin. Additionally, various routine biochemical parameters also get deranged and signify the severity and poor prognosis. These lab findings, especially elevated Ferritin levels, suggest an imminent ‘Cytokine Storm’ which might lead to complications like Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Pneumonia and Multi-organ Failure (MOD). Elevated troponins & CK-MB signi