Bacterial infections diagnosis

If conventional treatment fails, unresolved diaper rash can also lead to secondary bacterial infections. Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci are the most likely pathogens responsible for these infections and require treatment with systemic antibiotics.3 37 While topical protectants may be used as an adjunct in treatment, suspected bacterial infections should always be referred to a physician for accurate diagnosis and the selection of an appropriate antibacterial regimen.34 Figure 62-7 shows a useful algorithm for the effective treatment of diaper dermatitis. 

O Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone that is associated with high morbidity and increased health care costs. The inflammatory response associated with acute osteomyelitis can lead to bone necrosis and subsequently chronic infections. Bacterial pathogens, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, are the most common microorganisms implicated in these infections. Diagnosis and treatment are often difficult due to the heterogeneous... 

Mycobacteria of the Mycobacterium avium complex are implicated in disseminated bacterial infections in AIDS patients. RFLP studies followed by hybridization with radiolabeled probe specific for an insertion sequence in M. avium (IS 1311) have been useful for typing M. avium stains (R2). A variety of molecular techniques are available for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. In addition to PCR, a method based on the ligase chain reaction has also been found to be sensitive to the detection of C. trachomatis infection in urine specimens collected from male and female subjects (VI). The differentiation between low-risk genotypes of human papilloma virus (HPV 6 or 11) from genotypes of high... 

Patients with cirrhosis often suffer from bacterial infections, (s. p. 731) In most cases, the respiratory tract and urogenital system are affected. Interleukin 6 may often increase in decompensated cirrhosis. Directed bacteriological diagnosis is required immediately depending on the case, administration of antibiotics is recommended even before any evidence of bacteria has been obtained. (31)... 

Polyclonal increases in serum immunoglobulins are the normal response to infections. IgG response predominates in autoimmune responses IgA in skin, gut, respiratory, and renal infections and IgM in primary viral infections and bloodstream parasites, such as malaria. Chronic bacterial infections may cause an increase in serum levels of all immunoglobulins. In such cases, estimations of the individual immunoglobulins seldom provide more information than protein electrophoresis. They are of value, however, in the differential diagnosis of liver disease and of intrauterine infections. In primary biliary cirrhosis, the IgM level is greatly increased in chronic active hepatitis, IgG and sometimes IgM are increased and in portal cirrhosis, IgA and sometimes IgG are increased. In intrauterine infections, production of IgM by the fetus increases, and the IgM level in umbilical cord blood is increased. Estimations of IgE are used in the management of asthma and other allergic conditions, especially in children. 

It is difficult to diagnose and impossible to monitor herpes outbreaks, large or small, beneath an opaque occlusive mask of bismuth subgallate or thymol iodide. If there is any hint of herpes, any acute pain between the 4th and 7th day after the phenol, the powder mask" should be removed immediately in order to examine the skin thoroughly. If the doctor s suspicions are confirmed, the herpes should be treated as described above. Once the diagnosis has been made, the powder mask should not be replaced, and the moist technique should be used instead, with regular application of an antibiotic cream (e.g. bacitracin) to avoid secondary bacterial infection. 

In conclusion, a novel bioluminescent pyrophosphate assay utilizing the PPDK-luciferinAuciferase reaction was established in order to measure quantitatively PCR products. Detection of pyrophosphate (1.56x10 mol/assay) was possible with the proposed method. Furthermore, this bioluminescent assay in association with allele-specific PCR was applied to the analysis of the dex gene of mutans streptococcus. The novel bioluminescent assay for PCR product based on the PPDK-luciferin/luciferase reaction appears to afford a suitable technique for diagnosis and prevention of bacterial infection and disease. 

In neonates and immunosuppres.sed patients, bacterial infection can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Failure to make the diagnosis may have fatal con.sequences. In practice, a serum CRP concentration of >l(K) mg/l (normal [Pg.19]

The advantage of fluorescence is that a properly constructed photo-multipher, imder dark conditions, can detect the emission of a single photon, so it is possible to monitor for very low concentrations of ATP. The patented invention outlines how this fluorescence can be used for the detection of bacteria, particularly in a urine sample, thereby speeding the diagnosis of a bacterial infection. 

The first consideration in selecting an antibiotic is whether it is even indicated. The reflex action to associate fever with treatable infections and prescribe antimicrobial therapy without further evaluation is irrational and potentially dangerous. The diagnosis may be masked if therapy is started before appropriate cultures are obtained. Antibiotics are potentially toxic, and may promote selection of resistant microorganisms. Of course, definitive identification of a bacterial infection before treatment is initiated often is not possible. In the absence of a clear indication, antibiotics often may be used if disease is severe and it seems likely that withholding therapy wUl result in failure to manage a serious or hfe-threatening infection. 

Rapid and sensitive detection of the presence of harmful pathogens in water, air, or food is important for ensuring health safety. Timmer et al. [7] developed a micro-device to measure low concentration of ammcmia levels in water. The device can be used for fast diagnosis of patients with disturbed urea balance, either due to kidney disorder or H. pylori bacterial infection. From the experiments conducted, they showed that the system is sensitive to ammonia concentrations below 1 ppm. 

CL in clinical practice is mainly used for diagnostics and pathogenesis research to estimate as antigens and immune complexes. The pathogenesis of influenza, arthritis, bacterial infections, hyper-holesterinemia and malformations can be followed by this method [20, 21]. CL can also be used in diagnosis of skin diseases, cancer, allergy, intestinal inflammation, heart disease, neuronal-muscle disorders, diabetes, renal failure and trauma [22, 23]. Immune analysis is one of the important and special applications of the enhanced CL method [24]. 

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