The Epstein-Barr virus is a member of the herpesvirus group and is reported to infect 80% or more of the U.S. population. It is thought to be spread from person to person, most likely through saliva, with the majority of infections occurring in childhood, adolescents, and young adults. The EBV infects B-lymphocytes. In common with […]
At birth, approximately 80% of the infant’s hemoglobin is fetal-type hemoglobin (Hb F), which has a greater affinity for oxygen than the adult type. By age 6 months, all except 1%-2% is replaced by adult hemoglobin (Hb A). Persistence of large amounts of Hb F is abnormal. There are a considerable number of abnormal hemoglobins […]
Several laboratory tests are commonly used to screen for or establish a diagnosis of chronic iron deficiency. The sequence in which abnormal test results appear is given in the box below. In a normal adult on a normal diet made iron deficient by repeated phlebotomy (for experimental reasons), it takes about 3 months before significant […]
