Shiga toxin-producing E coli: E coli O157

Introduction There are various types of E coli that live in the environment and our intestines. Although most live inside our bowel harmlessly and even be beneficial, some E coli may cause infection, like UTI, bacteraemia, gastroenteritis etc. The E coli causing gastroenteritis could be divided into six phenotypes – Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) [or EHEC/VTEC]…

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Neurobrucellosis

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection transmitted to humans from animals (cattle, goats, sheep) via The UK is a non-endemic country. Most brucella cases in the UK are imported cases with links to Mediterranean or Middle Eastern countries. However, Brucella is also endemic in Central Asia, China, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and some parts of Middle and…

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Ibrexafungerp: A novel antifungal

Ibrexafungerp, an enfumafungin derivative, belongs to a new family called triterpenoid antifungals.This is a new class called “-fungerp”. This antifungal class inhibits glucan synthetase required for fungal cell wall synthesis. One of the major antifungal class echinocandins also acts by this mechanism and has been used since 2001. Echinocandins, however, have poor bioavailability and are…

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SMI: Investigation of Throat-Related Specimens

Specimens Throat swab, posterior pharyngeal swab, nasopharyngeal swab, pharyngeal washings, pus aspirate, oropharyngeal swab, throat gargle. Why To investigate upper respiratory tract infection – Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis, Epiglottitis, and Laryngitis. Condition Target organisms Pharyngitis(sore throat) 1. Viral (commonest),2. Group A Streptococcus/ Streptococcus pyogenes,3. Group C/G Streptococcus – Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis,4. Streptococcus anginosus group,5. Corynebacterium –…

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