Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate - (dheas)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

DHEAS is an indicator of adrenal cortical function, especially for differential diagnosis of virilization and investigations of hirsutism and alopecia in women. It is also of value in the assessment of adrenarche and delayed puberty. Levels are increased in CAH, adrenal carcinoma, Cushing syndrome caused by adrenal hyperplasia, and PCOS. Extremely high levels (>700 or 800 g/dL) in women are suggestive of a hormone-secreting adrenal tumor. By contrast, levels are typically normal in the presence of ovarian tumors. Drugs that may increase DHEAS levels include metformin troglitazone prolactin danazol calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem amlodipine) and nicotine. Molecular Biology ML013 Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type 1 & 2 DNA PCR Qualitative Result Interpretation: Not Detected Absence of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type-1 and/or Type-2 in the sample Detected Presence of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type-1 and/or Type-2 in the sample Notes: 1. HSV PCR is most sensitive for early diagnosis of herpes encephalitis. There is a higher chance of detection of HSV DNA in CSF during primary infection than in recurrent episodes of the disease. 2. DNA testing may be useful in diagnosis of infection in neonates. Neonates who have been exposed to HSV can develop disseminated infection and encephalitis. 3. Encephalitis is usually due to HSV 1, whereas meningitis is usually due to HSV 2. DNA testing provides reliable means to define the type. 4. The analytical sensitivity of the assay is 95% probability of 0.12 copies/l of HSV-1 DNA or 0.16 copies/l of HSV-2 DNA is detected. All indeterminate results are retested. 5. A negative result does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in the patient specimen or test-specific nucleic acid in concentrations below the level of detection by this test. 6. The validity and performance of the assay design are evaluated at regular intervals.