Dr. Candido Otero, M.D.

The gastrointestinal pathogen panel is a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test capable of rapidly and quantitively detecting DNA or RNA of 22 pathogens (13 bacteria, 5 viruses, and 4 parasites). Thank you.

Is the extraction, processing, and storage of stem cells, so that they can be used for the treatment in the future, when required It cost between $1,350 to $2,350. Some doctors do not recommend that you bank cord blood on the slight chance that your baby will need stem cells someday Thank you.

First, this is an aspiration of bone marrow content, which contains the progenitor cells. The healthcare provider uses a thin needle to remove a small amount of liquid bone marrow, usually from a spot in your back of your pelvis (hipbone). Bone marrow has a fluid portion and a more solid portion, Bone marrow aspiration is usually combined with bone marrow biopsy. Bone marrow biopsy is a core biopsy, and the solid protion of the bone. Bone marrow biopsy procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. Sometimes is longer the preparation for the procedure than the actual procedure. Now, the purpose of a bone marrow is to diagnose a disease or condition involving the bone marrow or blood cells. It is also to determine progression of a disease, whether the iron levels are adequate, monitor the disease, and investigate fever of unknown origin. Bone marrow exam is done for anemia, blood cell conditions in which is either too few or too many of certain types of blood cells produced. These cells could be leukemic cells, leukocytosis, thrombotic cells (thrombocytopenia), Thrombocytosis (increase thrombotic cells, pancytopenia (decreased number of all marrow cells lineage), and polycythemia (increase in polymorphonuclear cells). Also, to check for cancer of the blood or bone marrow (leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myelomas). metastatic cancers (cancers that have spread to other areas such as breast and bone marrow). Thank you.

Yes, the pap smear will find the growth of abnormal squamous cells which are the cell lining type of the cervix. There are five distinct categories, and they are atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS cells), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H), and atypical granular cells (AGC). Thank you.

It would be important after any treatment recommended by her doctor to be followed by a blood test to check the progression, and to see if additional blood test is necessary. Consult your daughter doctor. Sometimes, there is no need for additional test but at least a yearly check up is recommended. Thank you.

When patient have symptoms that a healthcare professional suspects are due to infectious mononucleosis. Blood test can detect the appearance of the atypical, activated lymphocytes. Epstein-Barr Virus - EBV (infectious mononucleosis) is a gamma group herpes virus that causes a benign, self-limited lymphoproliferative disease, and is characterized by fever, generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly (large spleen), sore throat, and the appearance of atypical lymphocytes in blood. EBV enters the epithelial cell cytoplasm by directly fusing with the plasma membrane. Also, EBV enters the B-cell cytoplasm by directly fusing with the plasma membrane. There are two EBV proteins produced by the virus, the EBNA2 and LMP-1 that occurs in latently infected lymphocytes. Thank you.

DNA test can use cheek swag or blood tests. Thank you.

Depend on how long after eating you had the test. The blood sugar should go to normal after 2 hours. I don’t think that is going to make a big different. Your doctor will tell you if there is a need to repeat the test. Thank you.

CSF is normally sterile, colorless, and clear. Common organism isolated from CSF fluid were Streptococcus Pneumonia, Neisseria meningitis, Haemophilus influenza, and E. Coli. CSF is usually free of bacteria. CSF fluid is made of glucose, proteins, and electrolytes. So, they are checking for bacterial, blood and other cell types. Thank you

There are many causes of low platelets. The low platelet count could be due to impaired production in the marrow, medications, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Symptoms of low platelets are easy bussing, abnormal bleeding, blood in the urine, and feeling tired. Consult your healthcare provider. Thank you.

TB is a chronic communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The lesion is characterized by a necrotizing granulomatosis (Caseating necrosis) in tissue where the organism is seeded. Transmission of TB is by inhalation of infected droplets from coughing or sneezing of infected individuals. The cell wall of lipids and carbohydrates of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis appear to enhance virulence by interfering with phagolysosomal fusion. This interference allows the intracellular survival of mycobacteria. Once the sensitization appears in patients during the infection, the nonspecific inflammatory response become granulomatous (granuloma), and abundant epithelioid histiocytes, occasional giant cells, peripheral mononuclear cells among others. There is often a central, caseous necrosis of the granuloma. Therefore, an increase resistant inhibiting intracellular replication of the bacilli. There are several forms of TB. Primary Pulmonary Tuberculosis – these are individual lacking previous contact with the bacilli. Secondary TB – means that the patient has an active infection in a previously infected individual. Miliary TB – present with myriad of minute foci of infection in many organs, preferentially liver, bone marrow, spleen, and kidneys. Isolated organ tuberculosis – when disseminated organism become established in only one or two organs or female genital tract (salpingitis, endometritis). Tuberculosis is caused by the aerobic, non-spore forming, non-motile bacillus M. tuberculosis, which has a waxy coat that stain red with acid-fast stain. The mycobacteria may block vacuolar acidification by nonactivated macrophages. The CD4+ helper T cells secretes tissue necrosis factor gamma (TNFγ), which activates macrophages to kill intracellular mycobacterium via reactive nitrogen intermediates and to form epithelioid granulomas. CD8+ suppresser T cell kill macrophages that are infected with mycobacteria, resulting in the formation of caseating (cheeselike) granulomas (delayed type of hypersensitivity reaction). The residual lesion is a calcified scar in the lung parenchyma and in the hilar lymph node (Ghon Complex). Thank you.

There are fifteen prostate biopsies. Your urologist divided the prostate into ride and left side. Then. You have Right upper, R. middle, and R. lower. On the left side is L. upper, L. middle, and left lower. Thank you.

Home test for pregnancy is accurate. However, in some instances, they produce a false-positive results. Incorrect tesr usage, previous abortion, and miscarriages, and some medications. May lead to a false-positive for pregnancy test. The blood test measures the levels of the hormone in the blood and are therefore more accurate. Thank you.

There are many reasons for a second opinion of your mole biopsy. A second opinion can help shed light on different treatment options, clinical trials that may be good fit, or they may make you feel more at ease by confirming your diagnosis and the initial treatment plan. Thank you.

The most common cause that make the muscle in your eyelid twitch are fatigue, stress, caffeine, and excessive alcohol intake. Vitamin deficiency is associated with twitches. They are electrolytes, vitamin B12, vitamin D and magnesium. Thank you.

Yes, the pap smear will find the growth of abnormal squamous cells which are the cell lining type of the cervix. There are five distinct categories, and they are atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS cells), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H), and atypical granular cells (AGC). Thank you.

Ordering a serologic test to check for antibodies is usually the first step. The serologic test will check for IgA antibodies, specifically tTG-IgA will be positive in 93% of cases with Celiac disease who are on a gluten-containing diet. Also, genetic testing for human leukocyte antigens (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8) can be used to rule out Celiac disease. Thank you.

Yes, CA-125 indicates the presence of cancer or other conditions. Not all patients with a high CA-125 result have cancer. The normal range is between 0 – 35 units per microliter (0 -35 U/mL). Levels over 35 U/mL may indicate the presence of cancer. Thank you.

Yes, your doctor will explain the etiology of your UTI. Urinalysis is a test of your urine. It can detect UTI, Kidney disease, diabetes. Urine culture can detect and identifies specific bacteria and yeast that may be causing the UTI. A urine dipstick may be the only test healthy women with typical UTI symptoms need. The urine is examined under microscope for bacteria or white blood cells which are signs of infection. Urinary infection is due to many etiologies (causes). Bacterial infection in urine is treated with antibiotics. There are many different of types of antibiotics to treat urinary tract infection. The most commonly ones are Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, Fosfomycin, cephalexin, ceftriaxone, and others. Vitamin C seems to work by increasing the acidity of the urine and killing off the bacteria that cause infection. Health care provider usually uses antibiotics to kill the bacterial. Now, it would be recommended to see your health care provider and have a urinalysis to identify the bacteria, and therefore the specific antibiotic can be used to kill the microorganism. Thank you.

To check iron levels, you need to have a blood test. You can purchase an iron blood test. The test are Iron, TIBC (total iron binding capacity) and a Ferritin Panel Thank you.