ASCP MB case studies
ASCP MB · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ASCP Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB) certification - often written MB(ASCP) - is a professional credential for laboratory technologists and scientists who perform molecular diagnostic testing. Candidates are typically medical laboratory science graduates, molecular biology technologists, or research staff moving into a clinical molecular laboratory, and eligibility is governed by the certifying body rather than by any single training route, so prospective candidates should confirm their own eligibility pathway before applying. The ASCP MB case studies are 5 cases and about 3,399 words.
1Internal Control Failure on a Stool Pathogen Panel
A 58-year-old man returns from two weeks in South Asia with six days of watery diarrhea (8-10 stools/day) and low-grade fever. The laboratory runs a multiplex real-time PCR stool panel (Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella/EIEC, STEC, norovirus GI/GII, rotavirus, Cryptosporidium, Giardia) with an armored-RNA internal control (IC) added at the lysis step.
747 words, about 4 min2Delayed, Bloody CSF for Neonatal HSV PCR
A 4-day-old term neonate develops fever, lethargy, and a cluster of scalp vesicles. CSF is collected at 22:40 on Friday: 1.5 mL in a sterile tube, grossly bloody (RBC 52,000/microliter, WBC 40/microliter, protein 95 mg/dL, glucose 45 mg/dL).
618 words, about 3 min3Low-Cellularity Lung Biopsy for EGFR Testing
A 62-year-old never-smoker with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma has a 4 mm CT-guided core biopsy of a right upper lobe mass. The FFPE block shows adenocarcinoma; the pathologist estimates tumor cellularity at 8% and notes crush artifact and anthracotic pigment.
617 words, about 3 min4Positive No-Template Control in a Quantitative CMV Assay
It is Tuesday morning in a laboratory that quantitates CMV DNA in plasma by real-time PCR, reported in IU/mL after WHO-standardization. Monday's run contained 16 patient samples, one no-template control (NTC), and a 500 IU/mL low positive control.
718 words, about 4 min5Acute HIV: Low-Positive RNA With Negative Serology
A 29-year-old man presents with five days of fever, sore throat, maculopapular rash, and generalized lymphadenopathy after condomless sex with a new partner three weeks earlier. Fourth-generation HIV-1/2 antigen/antibody immunoassay: nonreactive.
699 words, about 3 min