thrombocytopenia – a low platelet count (platelets help stop bleeding by clotting blood).
Glossary
Selected words and phrases
PT (prothrombin time; pro-time) – PT testing measures the amount of time it takes for blood to clot. When the liver is damaged, its ability to make clotting factors is impaired. If this time increases – referred to as a prolonged PT interval – it shows that the liver is not working so well.
cryptococcus (crypto) – a fungal infection. Can cause meningitis.
genotype (or genotypic) – This term has several common uses:
1. a general term for the molecular structure of a living organism or virus.
2. a test that looks at the structure of an organism of virus (ie genotype resistance test looks for changes in the virus structure – called mutations).
3. a category for different types of similar viruses – ie hepatitis C has many subtypes, referred to as genotype-1, genotype-2 etc. HCV genotype is the strongest predictor of response to hepatitis C treatment.
See also phenotype.
lymphoma – name for a cancer in the lymphatic system.