Hematology at Biolab provides a comprehensive platform to assist in the diagnoses of the main blood disorders and malignancies such as hemoglobinopathies, leukemias, lymphomas, coagulation disorder, hemophilia and many others.

The hematology department utilizes a state of the art technology in its daily analysis e.g. Flow Cytometry in leukemias and NK cell assessment, capillary electrophoresis for Hb and serum electrophoresis, a coagulation lab, special immuno staining as well as molecular biology techniques e.g. PCR and NGS especially in genetically inherited hematological disorders like Alpha and Beta thalassemia, sickle cell anemia and thrombophilia mutation.

Complete blood count (CBC), Reticulocytes count and Blood Film  

A CBC is a blood test used to evaluate the patient’s overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection and leukemia. A CBC test measures several components and features of the blood, including:

• Red blood cells, which carry oxygen.
• White blood cells, which fight infection.
• Platelets, which help in blood clotting.

Abnormalities in cell counts as revealed in a complete blood count may indicate that the patient has an underlying medical condition that calls for further investigation.

Reticulocyte count

Is a blood test that measures how fast red blood cells are made by the bone marrow and released into the blood. Reticulocytes remains in the blood for about 2 days before developing into mature red blood cells.

The reticulocyte count rises when there is a lot of blood loss or in certain diseases in which red blood cells are destroyed prematurely, such as hemolytic anemia.

The CBC test is fully automated using efficient analyzer which is capable of processing 100 samples per hour and includes advanced clinical parameters including NRBCs with every CBC, immature granulocytes with every Diff, RET-He within the reticulocyte profile and a fluorescent platelet channel for immature platelet fraction (IPF).

Blood film

Is a blood test used to look for abnormalities in blood cells. The test provides information on the number and shape of these cells, which can help doctors diagnose certain blood disorders or other medical   conditions. Blood film examination is often the first diagnostic examination for homeopathies and malignant homeopathies.

Blood grouping

Is a classification of blood, based on the presence and absence of antibodies and inherited antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells.It occupies a fundamental place in the prevention of transfusion accidents and the diagnosis and follow-up of feto-maternal incompatibilities.

The following analyzes are carried out at Biolab:

• ABO-Rh forward and reverse blood grouping and gel card blood grouping.
• Weak D and resolving ABO discrepancies.
• Coomb’s direct and indirect and coomb’s indirect panel.

Hemoglobinopathies

Hemoglobinopathies are diagnosed at Biolab using capillary electrophoresis of hemoglobin. In the presence of hemoglobin variant, HPLC is also carried out for confirmation.

In addition to capillary electrophoresis, Biolab also uses molecular techniques via PCR to different types of samples (blood, amniotic fluid and CVS) to detect mutations in Alpha-Globin gene (a-Thalassemia) and up to 22 mutations in Beta-Globin gene (b- Thalassemia).

Homeostasis 

The high frequency of thrombosis, which can be life-threatening, underlines the importance of the assessment of risk factors for thrombosis and the associated clinical and biological etiological investigation.

Immense progress has been made in understanding coagulation diseases, which today most often allow early, precise diagnosis and better patient management.

Biolab has acquired expertise in the field of homeostasis and offers a full range of laboratory examinations specialized in this field:

• Coagulation screening tests (PT, PTT, Bleeding time and Clotting time).
• Assays of physiological inhibitors (anti thrombin, proteins C and S).
• For the diagnosis of constitutional and acquired thrombophilia (Activated protein C resistance, D-dimers, anti-cardiolipin antibodies, anti-beta2 glycoprotein-1, homocysteine, Prothrombin (F2) G20210A mutation by PCR) and Lupus anticoagulant.
• For the diagnosis of Hemophilia (Factor XIII Mutation by PCR).
• In addition to factor assays, anti-platelets antibodies and multiple molecular tests by PCR such as MTHFR gene (C677T) and (A1298C) mutation, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1, Cardiovascular Disease Associated Risk 12 Mutation Profile and many others.

We offer at Biolab collective packages for thrombosis:

• BioThrombosis
• BioCardio Risk

For further information, please contact:

• Dr. Abdel Rahman Al-Haliq, Lab Director-Consultant Clinical Pathologist/Hematopathologist, a.alhaliq@biolab.jo.
• Donia Nanaah, H(ASCP), Medical technologist, d.naanaah@biolab.jo