tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45919400353853029512024-03-13T16:27:11.128+00:00Microbiologylog...all about medical microbiology straight from the laboratory benchesnaijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-55962645260053894372022-02-02T21:07:00.003+00:002022-02-02T21:07:42.971+00:00Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) To Be Sold Over The Counter in United Kingdom<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9eYycDDOXG4FA23cD7o-pLl_XBu0n1Hv_3ha-g6V01cqp8H0TePjR5AFO0fJNJR3-_NDo-5Uj4O1reAWVczzTNcn4lURKxRo9vf554hrcIiEMCUm-SMt6xDyr8MvLUbIiLWBiiUraxAFA_Nvf3L_J1vnYEhpfD5F1zoOnZY1G8BHWaetHKcvddKSt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9eYycDDOXG4FA23cD7o-pLl_XBu0n1Hv_3ha-g6V01cqp8H0TePjR5AFO0fJNJR3-_NDo-5Uj4O1reAWVczzTNcn4lURKxRo9vf554hrcIiEMCUm-SMt6xDyr8MvLUbIiLWBiiUraxAFA_Nvf3L_J1vnYEhpfD5F1zoOnZY1G8BHWaetHKcvddKSt=w359-h266" width="359" /></a></div><p></p><p>There are plans to for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to be sold over the counter without prescription in the United Kingdom.</p><p>HRT which are vaginal oestrogen tablets used as a treatment to relieve symptoms of the menopause and there are currently about 150,000 women on prescription. This plan would make women able to buy there drugs over the counter without any need to see their GP.</p><p>The MHRA, UK medicine regulatory body is proposing to reclassify this drug as a pharmacy medicine in order to make it easier to buy from the chemist.</p><p>HRT replaces the hormones that women lack during the menopause due to the lack of oestrogen. this causes vaginal dryness, hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, brain fog, reduced sex drive and sleeping problems. some types of HRT slightly increases the risk of breast cancer and blood clots in some women. however, the risks are small and usually outweighed by the benefits.</p>naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-6392378515595912632021-07-31T20:24:00.000+01:002021-07-31T20:24:58.951+01:00Public Health England (PHE) COVID-19 vaccination programme UPDATE 23rd July 2021<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Infections prevented by COVID-19 vaccines doubles to
22 million and deaths prevented rises to 60,000. PHE estimates that
60,000 deaths and 22,057,000 infections have been prevented as a result of the
COVID-19 vaccination programme, up to 23 July. This is based on modelling
analysis from </span><abbr style="background-color: white; border: none; cursor: help; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: initial;" title="Public Health England">PHE</abbr><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> and
Cambridge University’s MRC Biostatistics Unit.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The estimated
number of deaths prevented has increased significantly since the most recent
estimates were published, with the estimated number of infections prevented doubling
in just 2 weeks. It was previously estimated that up to 9 July, around 37,000
deaths and 11,000,000 infections were prevented.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The methods
used to estimate deaths and infections prevented are based on direct and
indirect effects of the vaccination programme.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Health and
Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: These new figures are fantastic to
see – 22 million infections have now been prevented across the country and
60,000 lives have been saved. That’s hundreds of thousands of people whose
loved ones have been protected thanks to the vaccines’ remarkable protection. Day
by day, jab by jab, we are building a wall of defence which is protecting our
nation against the threat of this virus. Make sure to get the jab if you
haven’t already and play your part in this historic effort.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dr Jamie Lopez
Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at <abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Public Health England">PHE</abbr>,
said: These figures show the vaccine programme’s remarkable impact on saving
lives and reducing the spread of the virus. As cases have increased, the true
scale of protection from the vaccine programme has become clear. Everyone that
has come forward for their vaccine has played a part in this vital effort. It
remains vital that everyone gets 2 doses of the vaccine, to protect you and
those around you from COVID-19. You must book your second jab when invited, to
gain maximum protection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Minister for
COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment, Nadhim Zahawi, said: Over 84 million vaccinations
have now been administered since our world-class vaccination programme began in
December, by thousands of NHS workers and volunteers at thousands of
vaccination sites. We can see the fantastic results of their efforts – 22
million infections prevented and 60,000 lives saved, an achievement we can all
feel proud of. Play your part in the UK’s COVID-19 response – it couldn’t be
easier to go to a pop-up vaccination site this weekend or book through the NHS
website, and get the jab.<o:p></o:p></span></p>naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-61270752964466858362021-07-31T19:56:00.000+01:002021-07-31T19:56:10.302+01:00Public Health England (PHE) COVID-19 vaccination programme UPDATE 8th July 2021<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Public Health
England (PHE) has said that it estimates 30,300 deaths and
8,151,000 infections have been prevented as a result of the COVID-19
vaccination programme, up to 25 June. This is based on modelling analysis from </span><abbr style="background-color: white; border: none; cursor: help; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: initial;" title="Public Health England">PHE</abbr><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> and
Cambridge University’s MRC Biostatistics Unit.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Public Health England"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">PHE</span></abbr> also estimates that
46,300 hospitalisations have been prevented in people aged 65 or older in
England up to 27 June (approximately 7,000 admissions in those aged 65 to 74,
18,000 in those aged 75 to 84, and 21,300 in those aged 85 and over).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The methods used
to estimate deaths and infections prevented are based on direct and indirect
effects of the vaccination programme. The indirect effects of the vaccination
programme will not be incorporated into the analysis of hospitalisations
prevented, which only takes into account the direct impact of first and second
doses. Therefore the figure of 46,300 hospitalisations averted is likely to be
an underestimate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dr Jamie Lopez
Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at <abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Public Health England">PHE</abbr>,
said: The vaccines are very safe and very effective, and they are the best way
to protect you and those around you from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19. With
restrictions easing, it is absolutely vital that everyone gets 2 doses of the
vaccine, to protect you and those around you from the COVID-19 variants
currently circulating in the UK. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Remember, you
must book your second jab when invited, to gain maximum protection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-1299070344687279192017-12-25T16:57:00.000+00:002017-12-25T16:57:17.550+00:00Yersinia enterocolitica: Diarrhoea causative agent <img height="400" src="https://apis.mail.yahoo.com/ws/v3/mailboxes/@.id==VjJ-uNEzCG1LMID_cPYwRHiSCmvf8FxMz6xJEQLnG7oyI-z-2ZtlT9A_pt3lDMkvO-73/messages/@.id==ANBa9goAAD0vWkEjdwCYWDR4Rvg/content/parts/@.id==2/thumbnail?appId=YMailNorrin" width="375" /><br />
<br />
<a href="https://apis.mail.yahoo.com/ws/v3/mailboxes/@.id==VjJ-uNEzCG1LMID_cPYwRHiSCmvf8FxMz6xJEQLnG7oyI-z-2ZtlT9A_pt3lDMkvO-73/messages/@.id==ANBa9goAAD0vWkEjdwCYWDR4Rvg/content/parts/@.id==3/thumbnail?appId=YMailNorrin" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://apis.mail.yahoo.com/ws/v3/mailboxes/@.id==VjJ-uNEzCG1LMID_cPYwRHiSCmvf8FxMz6xJEQLnG7oyI-z-2ZtlT9A_pt3lDMkvO-73/messages/@.id==ANBa9goAAD0vWkEjdwCYWDR4Rvg/content/parts/@.id==3/thumbnail?appId=YMailNorrin" width="353" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Yersinia enterocolitica</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> is a Gram negative rod-shaped bacterium in the family of Enterobacteriaceae
known as </span><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">causative agent of gastrointestinal infections</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> and most often causes the disease
yersiniosis with a variety of symptoms such as enterocolitis, acute diarrhea,
terminal ileitis and pseudoappendicitis but, if it spreads systemically, can
also result in fatal sepsis. <span style="background: white;">The genus </span><i>Yersinia</i> includes
11 species: <i>Y. pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis, Y. enterocolitica, Y.
frederiksenii,</i> <i>Y. intermedia, Y. kristensenii, Y. bercovieri,</i> <i>Y.
mollaretii, Y. rohdei, Y. aldovae</i>, and <i>Y. ruckeri</i>. Among them,
only <i>Y. pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis</i>, and certain strains of <i>Y.
enterocolitica</i> are of pathogenic importance for humans and certain
warm-blooded animals, whereas the other species are of environmental origin and
may, at best, act as opportunists. However, <i>Yersinia</i> strains
can be isolated from clinical materials, so have to be identified at the
species level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Signs and symptoms</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Symptoms of <i>Y. enterocolitica</i> infection typically
include Diarrhea which is the most common clinical manifestation of this
infection; diarrhea may be bloody in severe cases, low grade fever, abdominal
pain, vomiting. The patient may also develop erythema nodosum, which manifests
as painful, raised red or purple lesions, mainly on the patient’s legs and
trunk. Lesions appear 2-20 days after the onset of fever and abdominal pain and
resolve spontaneously in most cases in about a month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Diagnosis</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Y. enterocolitica</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> infection can be diagnosis by a number of methods which includes Stool
culture - This is the best way to confirm a diagnosis of <i>Y.
enterocolitica. </i>The figure above shows the growth of <i>Y.
enterocolitica</i> on <span style="background: white;">CIN (Cefsulodin,
Irgasan, Novobiocin) Agar. </span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The characteristic deep red center with a
transparent margin, or "bull's-eye" appearance of </span><i style="text-align: start;">Yersinia </i><span style="text-align: start;">and</span><i style="text-align: start;">Aeromonas </i><span style="text-align: start;">colonies is
important for identification, and is due to the presence of mannitol. </span><i style="text-align: start;">Y. enterocolitica </i><span style="text-align: start;">ferments the
mannitol in the medium, producing an acid pH which gives the colonies their red
color and the "bull's eye" appearance. Sodium deoxycholate, cefsulodin,
irgasan, and novobiocin are added as selective agents. Altorfer found that by
reducing the concentration of cefsulodin from 15.0 to 4.0mcg/ml, CIN Agar could
also be used to selectively isolate </span><i style="text-align: start;">Aeromonas </i><span style="text-align: start;">spp., in addition to </span><i style="text-align: start;">Yersinia.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Other diagnosis methods include tube agglutination, Enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assays<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Radioimmunoassays, Imaging studies - Ultrasonography or computed
tomography (CT) scanning may be useful in delineating true appendicitis from
pseudoappendicitis, Colonoscopy - Findings may vary and are relatively
nonspecific, Joint aspiration in cases of <i>Yersinia-</i> associated
reactive arthropathy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Management</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Care in patients with <i>Y enterocolitica</i> infection is
primarily supportive, with good nutrition and hydration being mainstays of
treatment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">First-line drugs used against the bacterium include the following
agents:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Third-generation cephalosporins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Tetracyclines<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Fluoroquinolones - not approved for use in children under 18 years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Aminoglycosides<o:p></o:p></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-81891980719734146732017-08-27T09:50:00.000+01:002017-08-27T09:50:54.256+01:00Global Shortage of Hepatitis B Vaccine - PHE<img alt="Image result for hepatitis b vaccine" height="205" src="https://www.immunizationinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/Hepatitis-B-780x400.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There is currently a global shortage of
hepatitis B vaccine which has been caused by problems in the
manufacturing process.</span><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Public Health England, working with NHS England, the Department of
Health and the manufacturers, have put in place a series of measures so that
the NHS and other providers can use the available vaccine for those at highest
immediate risk. Measures are expected to continue until the beginning of 2018
and will be kept under review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The risk of catching hepatitis B infection in the UK is very low.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In the UK, vaccination is usually offered to individuals who are at
specific risk of being exposed to blood from an infected person. This includes
babies born to mothers who are infected with hepatitis B, the sexual partners
of infected individuals and a range of other groups such as men who have sex
with men, healthcare workers, and people who inject drugs. Vaccination is also
recommended for people who will be undertaking certain activities overseas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A course of hepatitis B vaccine usually involves 3 doses of vaccine,
completed over a few months. While supplies are limited, vaccine will be
prioritised for those at highest immediate risk based on their doctor’s
assessment. For other people, a doctor may advise that hepatitis B vaccine can
be deferred until later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Hepatitis B virus is found in the blood and bodily fluids, such as semen
and vaginal fluids, of an infected person. It cannot be spread by kissing,
holding hands, hugging, coughing, sneezing, or sharing crockery and utensils.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Individuals can reduce their risk of contracting hepatitis B by taking
care to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">avoid having unprotected sex<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">not inject drugs, or by not sharing needles when injecting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">avoid having tattoos, piercing or acupuncture when overseas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">avoid accessing medical or dental care in high prevalence countries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Vaccination will still be available, as now, for those who have already
been exposed to hepatitis B. Such people should seek urgent medical attention
as the infection can still be prevented if treated promptly after the incident.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The recently announced addition of hepatitis B protection to the routine
childhood immunisation programme at 2, 3 and 4 months will go ahead. The
combined vaccine, which protects against hepatitis B and 5 other diseases, is
not affected by this shortage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Long term hepatitis B infection can be symptomless and people who think
they may have acquired the infection in the past should seek a test from their
healthcare professional.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Source: </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england</span></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-31243921866643337142017-01-15T21:15:00.001+00:002017-01-15T21:15:38.960+00:00Killer Superbug: Pan-Resistant New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae<img alt="Image result for cdc" height="265" src="https://usrtk.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/cdc-headquarters.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">On August 25, 2016, the Washoe County Health District in
Reno, Nevada, was notified of a patient at an acute care hospital with carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) that was resistant to all available antimicrobial
drugs. The specific CRE,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Klebsiella
pneumoniae</i>, was isolated from a wound specimen collected on August 19,
2016. After CRE was identified, the patient was placed in a single room under
contact precautions. The patient had a history of recent hospitalization
outside the United States. Therefore, based on CDC guidance, the isolate was
sent to CDC for testing to determine the mechanism of antimicrobial resistance,
which confirmed the presence of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The patient was a female Washoe County resident in her
70s who arrived in the United States in early August 2016 after an extended
visit to India. She was admitted to the acute care hospital on August 18 with a
primary diagnosis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, likely resulting
from an infected right hip seroma. The patient developed septic shock and died
in early September. During the 2 years preceding this U.S. hospitalization, the
patient had multiple hospitalizations in India related to a right femur
fracture and subsequent osteomyelitis of the right femur and hip; the most
recent hospitalization in India had been in June 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Antimicrobial susceptibility testing in the United States
indicated that the isolate was resistant to 26 antibiotics, including all
aminoglycosides and polymyxins tested, and intermediately resistant to
tigecycline (a tetracycline derivative developed in response to emerging
antibiotic resistance). Because of a high minimum inhibitory concentration
(MIC) to colistin, the isolate was tested at CDC for the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>mcr-1</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>gene, which confers plasma-mediated
resistance to colistin; the results were negative. The isolate had a relatively
low fosfomycin MIC of 16<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>μ</i>g/mL
by ETEST. However, fosfomycin is approved in the United States only as an oral
treatment of uncomplicated cystitis; an intravenous formulation is available in
other countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A point prevalence survey, using rectal swab specimens
and conducted among patients currently admitted to the same unit as the
patient, did not identify additional CRE. Active surveillance for
multidrug-resistant bacilli including CRE has been conducted in Washoe County
since 2010 and is ongoing; no additional NDM CRE have been identified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The BBC Health described
that the analysis found the superbug was resistant to all 26 available
antibiotics in the US including the "drug of last resort" - colistin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-42350762873567058552016-07-05T22:19:00.000+01:002016-07-05T22:19:10.644+01:00E.coli O157 Outbreak Linked to Contaminated Mixed Salad Leaves in England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="Hands being washed under running water." height="260" src="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/54070/s300_Handwashing__NHS_MOORFIELDS_308-10056_960x640.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There is an <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) outbreak affecting more than 100 UK people could be linked
to eating contaminated mixed salad leaves according to public health England. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To date, 109 people <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">(figure correct as at 4 July 2016)</span> </span>are
known to have caught the bug - 102 in England, 6 in Wales and 1 in Scotland<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> with the South West of England particularly affected.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">PHE<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>has
been working to establish the cause of the outbreak and has now identified that
several of the affected individuals ate mixed salad leaves including rocket
leaves prior to becoming unwell. Currently, the source of the outbreak is not
confirmed and remains under investigation.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Public Health England">PHE<span class="apple-converted-space"></span></abbr> </span>is now reminding people to
maintain good hygiene and food preparation practices in response to the current
outbreak.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">E. coli<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>O157 infection can cause a
range of symptoms, from mild diarrhoea to bloody diarrhoea with severe abdominal
pain. On rare occasions, it can also cause more serious medical conditions and
can be caught by eating contaminated food or by direct contact with animals
with the bacteria. It can also be passed from an infected individual to another
person if hand and toilet hygiene is poor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dr
Isabel Oliver, director of PHE's field epidemiology service, said: "At
this stage, we are not ruling out other food items as a potential source."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">PHE was first
alerted to the outbreak at the end of June. Dr Oliver said people could help
protect themselves from possible infection by washing their hands before eating
and handling food and by thoroughly washing vegetables and salads that they
were preparing to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">E. coli</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> O157 is found in the gut and faeces
of many animals, particularly cattle, and can contaminate food and water. Outbreaks
of <i>E. coli</i> O157 are rare compared
with other food-borne diseases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Avoiding </span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">E.
coli</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">
O157 </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">infection <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 150%;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Wash
hands thoroughly after using the toilet, before and after handling food, and
after handling animals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 150%;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Remove
any loose soil before storing vegetables and salads<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 150%;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Wash all
vegetables and fruits that will be eaten raw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 150%;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Store and
prepare raw meat and unwashed vegetables away from ready-to-eat foods<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 150%;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Do not
prepare raw vegetables with utensils that have also been used for raw meat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 150%;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Cook all
minced meat products, such as burgers and meatballs, thoroughly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 150%;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">People
who have been ill should not prepare food for others for at least 48 hours
after they have recovered</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Source - PHE & BBC</span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-20938652403006785992016-04-17T18:52:00.000+01:002016-04-17T18:52:56.181+01:00Concerns over the spread of untreatable multi-antimicrobial resistant gonorrhoea strain<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img src="http://www.govwire.co.uk/images/news/s300_sign5.jpg?w=700&h=450&mode=crop&scale=both" height="257" width="400" /></div>
<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There is a huge concern by health sector and Doctors
in England over wide spread of untreatable
multi-antimicrobial resistant gonorrhoea strain widely across England
and to gay men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The new superbug prompted a national alert last year
shared in this blog (Read it here), as one of the main treatments had become
useless against it. Public Health England acknowledges measures to contain the
outbreak have been of limited success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Doctors fear the sexually
transmitted infection, which can cause infertility, could soon become
untreatable. There are now cases of this resistant gonorrhoea in the West
Midlands, London and southern England. Only 34 cases have been officially
confirmed in laboratory testing, but this is likely to be the tip of the
iceberg of an infection that can be symptomless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The outbreak started in
straight couples, but is now being seen in gay men too. A consultant in sexual
health based in Bristol, Peter Greenhouse said that we’ve been worried it would
spread to men who have sex with men which is what we have now. The problem is
that they tend to spread infections a lot faster simply as they change partners
more quickly. They are also more likely to have gonorrhoea in their throats. Further
resistance is more likely to develop as antibiotics get to the throat in lower
doses and the area is also teeming with other bacteria that can share the
resistance to drugs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The bacterium that causes
gonorrhoea is extremely adept at shrugging off our best antibiotics. Two drugs
- azithromycin and ceftriaxone - are used in combination, but now resistance to
azithromycin is spreading and doctors fear it is only a matter of time before
ceftriaxone fails too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The disease is caused by the
bacterium called<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="color: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Neisseria gonorrhoeae </span></i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">and</span> infection is spread by
unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex. Of those infected, about one in 10
heterosexual men and more than three-quarters of women, and gay men, have no
easily recognisable symptoms. But symptoms can include a thick green or yellow
discharge from sexual organs, pain when urinating and bleeding between periods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Untreated infection can lead to infertility, pelvic
inflammatory disease and can be passed on to a child during pregnancy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Read more at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-76518722393976636972016-04-17T18:21:00.001+01:002016-04-17T18:21:29.014+01:00Polio Vaccination: Vaccine switched in a bid towards ending polio<img height="333" src="http://www.biospectrumindia.com/IMG/472/104472/polio-vaccine.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over 150 countries have begun switching to a
different polio vaccine which has been hailed by health campaigners as an
important milestone towards polio eradication. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">The new vaccine will target the two remaining strains of
the virus under a switchover 18 months in the planning. There were just 74
cases of the paralysing disease in 2015 and there have been 10 so far this
year. All of the cases were in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Africa has been free
of polio for more than a year. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Switching the vaccine from
one successfully used to fight polio for more than 30 years is a huge
logistical exercise.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thousands of people will
monitor the changeover in 155 countries during the next fortnight. It is taking
effect mainly in developing countries, but also in richer ones such as Russia
and Mexico. The new vaccine will still be given as drops in the mouth, so
healthcare workers will not need fresh training. It will no longer include a
weakened version of type 2 polio virus, which was eradicated in 1999.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr Stephen Cochi, from the
US-based Centers for Disease Control (CDC), said that the current vaccine
contains live weakened virus relating to three types of polio. But we don't
need the type 2 component, as it's not in the world any longer. And in very
rare cases it can mutate and lead to polio, through what's called circulating
vaccine-derived virus. So removing type 2 from the vaccine takes away that risk
- and ensures we have a vaccine which will work better dose by dose.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The planning involved
in the switchover has included dealing with a global stockpile of 100 million
doses of vaccine targeting just type 2, built up as an insurance policy in case
of any outbreak. The World Health Organization denied some media reports that millions
of doses of the old vaccine would need to be destroyed, by incineration or
other approved means. Its director of polio eradication, Michel Zaffran, said some
will need to be destroyed, but this will be a few vials, not trucks full of
vaccine. This has been carefully planned because of the huge amount of
resources, so countries have been using up the old vaccine, to minimise
leftover quantities. We're closer than ever to ending polio worldwide, which is
why we are able to move forward with the largest and fastest globally synchronised
vaccine switchover.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read more at </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health</span></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-12898377135605260012016-04-10T14:42:00.002+01:002016-04-10T14:42:47.510+01:00PHE Update on rising Scarlet Fever across England<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCSSzHge29gQo9c65vmdJmq7h7Cbm_05Xc9g_YTprM12M2kmuMbarEhKtIe5xiqZOMD3Rl8Aqk3_Pa4TLtA0NWYQTVs9kRlO6f6aW2K78GHUPnMLTtWICZoCeL-XD6uPC-DYbaYDaQwM/s1600/SGA3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCSSzHge29gQo9c65vmdJmq7h7Cbm_05Xc9g_YTprM12M2kmuMbarEhKtIe5xiqZOMD3Rl8Aqk3_Pa4TLtA0NWYQTVs9kRlO6f6aW2K78GHUPnMLTtWICZoCeL-XD6uPC-DYbaYDaQwM/s400/SGA3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;">Group A streptococcus (<abbr style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="group A streptococcus">GAS</abbr>) on Blood Agar</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Following
the Public Health England (<abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Public Health England">PHE</abbr>)
warning on the rise in cases of scarlet fever in England, they have reported a
continued increase in cases of scarlet fever across England with 1319 new cases
between 21 to 27 March. This is the highest weekly total recorded in recent
decades (data available from 1982 onwards). Since the season began in September
2015, there have been a total of 10,570 reported cases of scarlet fever. Scarlet
fever is a seasonal illness which should be treated with antibiotics and cases
of the illness usually peak at this time of year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">An
increase in invasive disease caused by the same bacterium Group A streptococcus
(<abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="group A streptococcus">GAS</abbr>)
which causes scarlet fever has also been seen in England. A total of 593 cases
of invasive<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="group A streptococcus">Group
A streptococcus<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>infection, such
and bloodstream infection or pneumonia, have been notified so far for 2016
compared to 440 cases for the same period last year (January to March). Group A
streptococcus<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>seasonal activity this
year coincides with the seasonal influenza activity<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>owing to the late flu season.
Influenza and invasive<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="group A streptococcus">Group
A streptococcus<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>co-infection is a
rare but well-recognised occurrence. Whilst the elderly remain most at risk of
invasive<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="group A streptococcus">Group
A streptococcus<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>infection,
increased levels of disease compared to last year have been seen in young
adults and children less than 5 years old, the age groups most affected by
influenza in recent weeks. There’s no suggestion of an increase in invasive<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="group A streptococcus">Group
A streptococcus<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>infection in
patients diagnosed with scarlet fever.<o:p></o:p></abbr></abbr></abbr></abbr></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This
is the third season in a row in which elevated scarlet fever activity has been
noted. A total of 15,637 notifications were made in England and Wales in 2014,
rising to 17,590 in 2015. Weekly activity so far this season has been similar
or slightly above for that last year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="group A streptococcus"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Group A streptococcus<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>bacteria are spread by direct
person-to-person contact with an individual carrying the bacteria or indirectly
through contact with bacteria in the environment. The act of keeping wounds
clean and practising hand hygiene can decrease chances of catching a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="group A streptococcus">Group
A streptococcus<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>infection. <o:p></o:p></abbr></span></abbr></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dr
Theresa Lamagni,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><abbr style="border: none; cursor: help; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Public Health England">PHE</abbr>’s
head of streptococcal infection surveillance, said that while we hope that the
Easter school break will assist in slowing down transmission of the bacteria
causing scarlet fever, we cannot assume or rely on this being the case. As
such, our investigations and assessment of the impact of this extraordinary
rise in scarlet fever continue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As
we reach peak season for scarlet fever, health practitioners should be
particular mindful of the current high levels of scarlet fever when assessing
patients. Close monitoring, rapid and decisive response to potential outbreaks
and early treatment of scarlet fever with an appropriate antibiotic remains
essential, especially given the potential complications associated with Group A
streptococcal infections. </span><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">PHE</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">strongly urges people with
symptoms of scarlet fever, which include a sore throat, headache and fever
accompanied by a characteristic rash, to consult their GP. Scarlet fever should
be treated with antibiotics to reduce risk of complications. </span><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Once children or adults are diagnosed with scarlet fever we
strongly advise them to stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of
antibiotic treatment to avoid passing on the infection.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Scarlet
fever is mainly a childhood disease and is most common between the ages of 2
and 8 years. It was once a very dangerous infection, but has now become much
less serious, thanks to the use of antibiotics. There is currently no vaccine
for scarlet fever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Below
is the PHE regional breakdowns for scarlet fever seasonal activity in England
between September and March (for 2014 to 2015, and 2015 to 2016; weeks 37 to
13)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Scarlet Fever Notifications<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">2014 – 2015 (weeks 37 – 13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">2015 – 2016 (weeks 37 - 13)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Area name<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Total<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Total<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Anglia and Essex<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">458<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">689<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">447<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">532<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cheshire and Merseyside<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">487<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">671<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cumbria and Lancashire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">464<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">390<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Devon, Cornwall and Somerset<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">262<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">365<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">East Midlands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1077<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">972<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Greater Manchester<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">502<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">402<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kent Surrey and Sussex<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">680<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">814<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">London<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">876<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1006<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">North East<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">536<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">667<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">South Midlands and
Hertfordshire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">386<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">502<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thames Valley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">411<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">489<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wessex<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">587<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">711<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">West Midlands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">766<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">999<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yorkshire and Humber<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1440<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1361<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Grand Total<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">9379<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; font-size: inherit; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;">
<span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">10,570<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-70938225876578597532016-03-24T22:39:00.000+00:002016-03-24T22:39:31.010+00:00Detection of Helicobacter pylori antigen by enzyme immunoassay (EIA)<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<img height="129" src="https://ibusol.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/wpid-heliobacter_pylori.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<img height="240" src="http://www.labema.fi/media/1157/601396.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><i>Helicobacter pylori</i> antigen test was performed using Premier Platinum HpSA PLUS enzyme
immunoassay (EIA). The kit used was purchased from Meridian Bioscience Inc. The
Premier Platinum HpSA PLUS enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit is an </span><i style="line-height: 150%;">in vitro</i><span style="line-height: 150%;"> qualitative procedure for the
detection of </span><i style="line-height: 150%;">Helicobacter pylori </i><span style="line-height: 150%;">antigens in human stool. Test results
are intended to aid in the diagnosis of </span><i style="line-height: 150%;">H. pylori </i><span style="line-height: 150%;">infection and to
monitor response during and post-therapy in patients. Accepted medical practice
recommends that testing by any current method, to confirm eradication, be done
at least four weeks following completion of therapy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Helicobacter pylori</span></i><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> which
is previously</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> known as </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Campylobacter pylori</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, is a</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">gram negative</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">microaerophilic</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">bacterium</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> usually found </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">stomach</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.
It was identified in 1982 by Australian scientists</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Barry
Marshall</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Robin Warren</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,
who found that it was present in a person with chronic</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">gastritis</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">gastric
ulcers</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, conditions not previously believed to have a</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">microbial</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cause. It is also linked to the
development of</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">duodenal</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ulcers and</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">stomach
cancer</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. However, over 80% of individuals infected with the bacterium
are </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">asymptomatic</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,
and it may play an important role in the natural stomach ecology. According to research,
more than 50% of the world's population harbour</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">H. pylori</i><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in their upper</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">gastrointestinal tract</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Infection is more
prevalent in developing countries, and incidence is decreasing in Western
countries.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">H. pylori's</i><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">helical shape and its flagella is used
to penetrate the</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">mucoid</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lining of the stomach </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="background: white;">reach the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%;">epithelial cells</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">underneath,
where the pH is more neutral</span>. They also neutralise the acid in its
environment by producing large amounts of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%;">urease</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-align: start;">, which breaks down the urea present in the stomach to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%;">carbon dioxide</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%;">ammonia</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-align: start;">. The ammonia, which is basic, then neutralizes stomach acid.</span>
This ammonia produced to regulate pH is toxic to epithelial cells, as well as
other biochemicals produced by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="line-height: 150%; text-align: start;">H. pylori</i><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>such as<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%;">proteases</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%;"><span style="text-align: start;">, vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) and certain<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%;">phospholipases</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-align: start;">.<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Cytotoxin associated
gene<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i>CagA</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> can
also cause inflammation and is potentially a carcinogen.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Symptoms
</b></span><span style="background: white; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most people infected with <i>H. pylori</i> are asymptomatic but in acute
infection may appear as an acute gastritis with abdominal pain or nausea. If the
infection develops into chronic gastritis, the symptoms may include nausea,
belching, stomach pains, <span style="text-decoration: none;">bloating</span>, black<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">stool</span>
and sometimes<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">vomiting</span>. <sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Individuals infected with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>H. pylori</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>have a 10 - 20% lifetime risk of
developing<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">peptic ulcers</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and a 1 - 2% risk of acquiring<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">stomach
cancer</span>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Inflammation
of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">pyloric
antrum</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is more likely
to lead to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">duodenal</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ulcers, while inflammation of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">corpus</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(body of the stomach) is more likely
to lead to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">gastric</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ulcers and gastric<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">carcinoma</span>.
However, <i>H. pylori</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>possibly
plays a role only in the first stage that leads to common chronic inflammation,
but not in further stages leading to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">carcinogenesis</span>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>A meta-analysis conducted in 2009
concluded the eradication of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>H.
pylori</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>reduces gastric cancer
risk in previously infected individuals, suggesting the continued presence of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>H. pylori</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>constitutes a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">relative risk</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>factor of 65% for gastric cancers and in
terms of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">absolute risk</span>,
the increase was from 1.1 - 1.7%. <i>H. pylori</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>have been associated with colorectal
polyps and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">colorectal
cancer</span> and may also be associated with eye disease<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SPECIMEN
COLLECTION AND PREPARATION</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The faeces
sample should be received in an airtight transport container and stored at 2-8<sup>o</sup>C
until tested. The specimen should be tested as soon as possible, but may be
held up to 72 hours at 2-8<sup>o</sup>C prior to testing. If testing cannot be
performed within this time frame, specimens should be frozen immediately upon
receipt and stored frozen (-20<sup>o</sup>C to –80<sup>o</sup>C) until tested.
Specimens may be frozen and thawed twice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stool
in transport media, swabs, or preservatives are inappropriate for testing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SPECIMEN
PREPARATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.
Using a pipetting device, add 500μL of Sample Diluent to a clean test tube.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.
Mix stool as thoroughly as possible prior to pipetting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a.
Liquid or semi-solid stools - Using the supplied transfer pipette, add 100μL (second
mark from the tip of the pipette) of stool into Sample Diluent. Using same
pipette, gently withdraw and expel the stool suspension several times, then
vortex 15 seconds. Save the transfer pipette in the sample for later use. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">b.
Formed/Solid stools - Using a wooden applicator stick, transfer a small portion
(5-6 mm diameter) of thoroughly mixed stool into Sample Diluent. Emulsify stool
using the wooden applicator stick, then vortex 15 seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.
Stool specimens may be centrifuged after dilution. Centrifuge at approximately<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2750
x G for five minutes or until solid matter separates from liquid. Proceed with the
assay after recovering supernate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>TEST
PROCEDURE</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.
After the pouch has reached temperature, break off the required number of<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">microwells
(1 well for each specimen, plus 1 positive and 1 negative control well per<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">batch).
Place the microwells in the microwell strip holder and record the location of<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">all
wells. Unused microwells must be resealed in the pouch immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.
Using the specimen transfer pipette, add 100μL of diluted stool (second mark
from the tip of the pipette) to the appropriate well. (Place the pipette tip
halfway into well and let the sample slowly run down side of well.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.
Add 2 free falling drops of Positive Control and 100μL of Sample Diluent /Negative
Control to the appropriate wells.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.
Add 1 free falling drop (approximately 50μL) of Enzyme Conjugate to each well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firmly
shake/swirl the plate for 30 seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5.
Cut plate sealer to size and press firmly onto top of microwells to seal.
Incubate the plate for 1 hour at 19-27<sup>o</sup>C <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6.
Carefully remove the plate sealer and wash wells:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a.
Manual method:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i
Dump plate contents firmly into a biohazard receptacle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ii
Bang the inverted plate on a clean stack of paper towels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">iii
Fill all wells with 1X Wash Buffer I, directing stream of buffer to the sides of
the wells to avoid foaming.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">iv
Repeat wash cycle (dump, bang on fresh towels, fill) 4 times for a total of 5
wash cycles. After the last fill, dump and bang plates on fresh towels hard
enough to remove as much excess wash buffer as possible, but do not allow wells
to completely dry at any time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">b.
Semiautomated method using validated equipment<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i
Aspirate the contents of the well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ii
Fill the wells to the top (approx. 300-350μL/well) with 1X Wash Buffer I then
aspirate. The washer manifold should be adjusted to ensure no foaming occurs
during the filling of the wells and that the wells are thoroughly aspirated
after each wash.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">iii
Repeat step ii a minimum of 4 more times. Following the last wash, test wells should
be thoroughly aspirated to remove as much moisture as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7.
Clean the underside of all wells with a lint-free tissue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8.
Add 2 free falling drops (approx. 100μL) of Premier Substrate Solution I to
each well. Firmly shake/swirl the plate for 30 seconds. Incubate for 10 minutes
at 19-27<sup> o</sup>C.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9.
Add 2 free-falling drops (approx. 100μL) of Premier Stop Solution I to each
well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firmly
shake/swirl the plate for 30 seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Initial
colour of positive reaction is blue, which changes to yellow upon addition<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of
Premier Stop Solution I.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10.
Inspect and record reactions. Test results can be read visually or using a<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">spectrophotometric
reader.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a.
Visual Determination - Read within 15 minutes after adding Premier Stop<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Solution
I.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">b.
Spectrophotometric Determination - Zero EIA reader on air. Wipe underside<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of
wells with a lint-free tissue. Read absorbance at 450 nm or 450/630 nm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">within
15 minutes of adding Premier Stop Solution I.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">INTERPRETATION
OF RESULTS<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
following interpretations apply to both initial diagnosis and monitoring of
anti-<i>H. pylori </i>therapy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visual
Reading<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Negative
= colorless to faint yellow<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Positive
= definite yellow color<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To
be called positive, a faint yellow color must be confirmed by a spectrophotometric
reading. If a spectrophotometer is not available, the cut-off must be
determined by an alternative method.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spectrophotometric
Single Wavelength (450 nm)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Negative:
< 0.140<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Positive:
≥ 0.140<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Negative
Control: < 0.140<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Positive Control: ≥ 0.640</span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-17351447118675777592016-03-24T19:50:00.000+00:002016-03-24T19:51:55.834+00:00Meningococcal C (MenC) vaccine schedule in infant to be changed by July 2016 - PHE<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><img height="248" src="https://londondatastore-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/images/PHE_Logo.png" width="400" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The Public
Health England (PHE) will implement the recommendation by The Joint Committee
on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which is that infants no longer require vaccination
against meningococcal serogroup C (MenC). Therefore, from 1 July 2016, infants
should no longer receive the dose of MenC conjugate vaccine currently given at
the second primary immunisation visit at around 12 weeks of age. The Hib/MenC
vaccine (Menitorix) dose given at 12 months of age and the MenACWY conjugate
vaccine dose given at around 14 years of age are unaffected by this change and
should still be given.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
JCVI </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">also said</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
that, because of the successful MenC programme introduced in 1999, there are now
very few cases of invasive MenC disease. Vaccination of adolescents with MenC
conjugate vaccine which began in the 2013/14 academic year, and l</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">ater, MenACWY conjugate vaccine</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> should
sustain good herd protection and therefore the risk to infants will remain low.
The dose of combined Hib/MenC offered at 12 months of age will provide good protection
to toddlers and younger children. In addition, the introduction of Bexsero®
(i.e. MenB vaccine) in to the infant programme may provide a degree of protection
against some cases of invasive MenC disease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The revised routine
schedule for MenC-containing vaccinations from 1 July 2016.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.0%;" valign="top" width="50%"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Age <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.0%;" valign="top" width="50%"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dose and Vaccine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.0%;" valign="top" width="50%"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">12 – 13 months old<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.0%;" valign="top" width="50%"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One dose of Hib/MenC
Vaccine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.0%;" valign="top" width="50%"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Around 14 years old
(ideally at the same time as Td/IPV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.0%;" valign="top" width="50%"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One dose of MenACWY
Conjugate vaccine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
routine MenC booster dose that was offered to pupils in school year 9/10 was
replaced with the MenACWY conjugate vaccine from September 2015, to offer
additional protection against meningococcal capsular group A, W and Y in
response to a national outbreak of invasive MenW disease. As part of a time
limited catch-up campaign, those aged up to 25 years entering university as
undergraduates for the first time, should be offered a MenC-containing vaccine.
A comprehensive MenACWY catch-up programme was introduced last Autumn through
general practice and schools to vaccinate all adolescents aged 14-18 years in
response to an increase in meningococcal W (MenW) disease.</span></div>
</div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-86596181892189478222016-03-19T21:33:00.000+00:002016-03-23T18:57:25.720+00:00Detection of Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3O_EHN9SdGnzkRnaIkO6G6lsY9fZnC7T4JTPqnk9EI2Ah1BvQreueoSpHFcWEMwI2WETCMas9V9xnjcOyyIJAYnRCcpD6_iRNzX1Kfze-dCcZvQbZMSO0VB2pwTyPbz0yLC8UQxr8Wc/s1600/ESBL+Positive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3O_EHN9SdGnzkRnaIkO6G6lsY9fZnC7T4JTPqnk9EI2Ah1BvQreueoSpHFcWEMwI2WETCMas9V9xnjcOyyIJAYnRCcpD6_iRNzX1Kfze-dCcZvQbZMSO0VB2pwTyPbz0yLC8UQxr8Wc/s640/ESBL+Positive.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ESBL Positive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ehRSVelGt7Q1L-3G8PGe25gpHizUTmroRvqfNXAW2rXZN4543ybtKcjlIEXsfDEo7jqEWMpKzLFfLwQc6p4pJd7mq1Mvl-AEm7csXF9Kfs0BP-Rjryu1_sXhuv0uTdpiKKlqGnYUA6o/s1600/ESBL+Negative.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ehRSVelGt7Q1L-3G8PGe25gpHizUTmroRvqfNXAW2rXZN4543ybtKcjlIEXsfDEo7jqEWMpKzLFfLwQc6p4pJd7mq1Mvl-AEm7csXF9Kfs0BP-Rjryu1_sXhuv0uTdpiKKlqGnYUA6o/s640/ESBL+Negative.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ESBL Negative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Extended-spectrum
beta-lactamases (ESBL)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> are β-lactamases that hydrolyze extended-spectrum cephalosporins with
an oxyimino side chain. These cephalosporins include<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration: none;">cefotaxime</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration: none;">ceftriaxone</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">, and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration: none;">ceftazidime</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">, as
well as the oxyimino-monobactam<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration: none;">aztreonam</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">. Thus
ESBLs confer resistance to these antibiotics and related oxyimino-beta lactams.
In typical circumstances, they derive from genes for TEM-1, TEM-2, or SHV-1 by
mutations that alter the amino acid configuration around the active site of
these β-lactamases. A broader set of β-lactam antibiotics are susceptible to
hydrolysis by these enzymes. The ESBLs are frequently plasmid encoded. Plasmids
responsible for ESBL production frequently carry genes encoding resistance to
other drug classes (for example, aminoglycosides). Therefore, antibiotic
options in the treatment of ESBL-producing organisms are extremely limited.
Carbapenems are the treatment of choice for serious infections due to
ESBL-producing organisms, yet carbapenem-resistant isolates have recently been
reported. ESBL-producing organisms may appear susceptible to some
extended-spectrum cephalosporins. However, treatment with such antibiotics has
been associated with high failure rates. Recent publications have reported
cases of resistance of ESBL-producing organisms to the </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Carbapenems</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">,
primarily<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration: none;">ertapenem</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">ESBL test is usually done on
any isolate resistant to any 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> generation
Cephalosporins. All ESBLs show synergy with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Clavulanic acid (<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">β-lactamase inhibitor</span>)
which distinguishes them from AmpC and K1. In the test shown below, Cefpodoxime
is used because it is an excellent screening antibiotic since all ESBL
genotypes show resistance. However, in the presence of Clavulanic acid zones
diameter increases by ≥5mm.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #444444;">The figures above shows a positive and negative ESBL for a <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> isolate on Mueller-Hinton agar. The isolate
was homogenised in a saline to get 0.5 McFarland and streaked on the Mueller-Hinton
agar to make <span style="background: white;">an even lawn</span>. The agar
plates were then incubated at 37<sup>o</sup>C for 24 hours after placing the
antibiotic impregnated discs on the agar. The positive figure shows that there
is a zone of inhibition around Cefpodoxime + Clavulanic acid disc (CPD + CV)
which is ≥5mm than the zone around
Cefpodoxime (CPD).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #444444;">The ESBL
Negative figure shows that there is no zone difference around CPD and CPD + CV.</span></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-46131527843404262712016-03-15T21:59:00.000+00:002016-03-24T20:08:17.029+00:00Increase in cases of scarlet fever shows 49-year high - PHE<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><img height="248" src="https://londondatastore-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/images/PHE_Logo.png" width="400" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Public Health England (PHE) has warned that the cases </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">of scarlet fever in England and Wales have risen to
the highest level since the 1960s</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">. There
were 1,265 cases of scarlet fever in the first six weeks of 2016 compared to
762 for the same period last year. There were 17,586 diagnoses of </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">scarlet
fever in 2015 </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">and 600 new cases are being recorded
every week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Scarlet
fever has </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">no vaccine and mostly affects children
under the age of ten. Symptoms include fever, headaches, a sore throat and a
rough red rash covering the arms, chest or back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Analysts
have to go as far back as the year 1967 - when 19,305 cases were reported to
find a year when the numbers were higher. PHE is alerting all health practitioners
to be mindful of the disease when assessing patients and more</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> cases were expected as scarlet fever’s peak season is March
and April. The body is urging GPs to be aware of the disease when diagnosing
patients.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
number of cases of scarlet fever has soared in the last three years. In 2013
there were just 4,642 cases reported in England and Wales, but this then jumped
by 236% to 15,625 cases in 2014. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A PHE spokesman said the reason
behind the increase in cases was unclear but said that it may reflect the
long-term natural cycles in disease incidence seen in many types of infection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Scarlet
fever is caused by bacteria known as group A streptococcus, and it is spread
through close contact with people carrying the organism often in the throat or
through contact with objects and surfaces contaminated with the bacterium. In
the early 1900s through to the 1930s the number of cases of scarlet fever in
England and Wales regularly topped 100,000. Since then the numbers have,
broadly speaking, been steadily declining, a trend spurred on by the
introduction of antibiotics. This was until 2014 when health experts saw a
significant spike in the figures and the answer has <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">perplexed</span> medical analysts, and cannot be explained through the
general rises in population. Test samples have been collated from different
parts of the country and experts believe no new strain of scarlet fever has
appeared. In addition, initial tests suggest the infection has not become
resistant to penicillin, but this is being watched closely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dr
Theresa Lamagni of PHE head of streptococcal infection surveillance said that symptoms
usually clear up after a week and the majority of cases will resolve without
complication as long as the recommended course of antibiotics is completed. Potential
complications include ear infection, throat abscess and pneumonia. Patients who
do not show signs of improvement within a few days of starting treatment should
seek urgent medical advice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
Wales alone, the number of cases recorded in 2015 fell slightly by 10% on the
previous year from 1,375 cases to 1,234. But these numbers are still high when
compared to the figure for 2013 in Wales which was just 190 cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dr
Chris Williams, consultant epidemiologist for Public Health Wales said, we are
monitoring an increase in scarlet fever in Wales, which is to be anticipated at
this time of year. Meanwhile, Health Protection Scotland said, current data
shows that cases have been rising through the early part of 2016 in Scotland,
the number of laboratory reports is very similar to 2015 levels. In England,
between September 2015 and March 2016, 6,157 cases were reported which is a 7%
rise on the same period in the previous year. There were 363 cases in Northern
Ireland in 2015 which is a fall of 41%
on 2014 when 625 cases were recorded. In 2013, Northern Ireland had 199 cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-74044510898385936142016-03-13T17:39:00.000+00:002016-03-13T17:39:07.849+00:00Probable outbreak of Measles feared in London and South East England<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">According to
BBC, doctors are concerned they are witnessing the start of a measles outbreak
in London and the South East of England. There have been at least 20 new cases
in the region since February, 2016 </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">compared
with 91 in all of England in the whole of last year with most cases being young
adults and needed hospital treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Medical doctors are advising people to
ensure they are vaccinated to prevent a repeat of the 2013 Swansea outbreak in
which 1,219 people were infected. Dr Kevin Brown of Public Health England said
that the concern is that this may be the beginning of another outbreak like we
have seen in the past. There have been 12 cases in London, three in Cambridge,
three in Hertfordshire and two in Essex. They have mostly been in people in
their 20s and 30s. The disease is usually more serious in adults than in
children. The patients presented to hospital with high fever and a rash. Dr
Brown added that Measles is not pleasant in the older age group and I think
people tend to forget that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It
has been identified that all the cases have been caused by the same strain of
the virus suggesting the infections are linked, although there is no evidence
that the virus has changed to spread more easily. Measles is the most
infectious infection that we know and it really is very good at seeking out
those few members of the community that have not been vaccinated, said Dr Brown.
I don't think it will be of the numbers we had for the Swansea outbreak, which
was predominantly affecting school-age children. But there is still the
potential for us to have an increasing number of cases, especially in young
adults and they are the ones that tend to be hospitalised and don't do as well.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dr
Brown said that unvaccinated older people thought they had dodged the bullet
with measles, but in fact needed to be vaccinated. MMR (measles, mumps and
rubella) immunisation rates are now at record levels in children due to
vaccination. There has been little spread of the infection to school-age
children so far, which suggests there is a high level of protection in those
age groups.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-13036151079784048252016-02-08T08:08:00.000+00:002016-03-24T20:14:47.163+00:00Zika virus links to rare nerve disorder according to BBC<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><img src="http://www.bionews.org.uk/orgfiles/zorgf000014/logo/logo_bbc_health.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">It has been reporter
in Colombia that three people have died after contracting the Zika virus and
developing a rare nerve disorder. Colombia</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">
Health Minister Alejandro Gaviria said there was a "causal
connection" between Zika, the Guillain-Barre disorder and the three
deaths.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></div>
<div class="story-bodyintroduction" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Brazilian scientists have earlier said
they had detected for the first time active samples of Zika in urine and
saliva. However, it is not clear whether the virus can be transmitted through
bodily fluids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Zika
virus which is a mosquito-borne disease has been linked to cases of babies born
in Brazil with microcephaly - underdeveloped brains. Martha Lucia Ospina, head
of Colombia's National Health Institute confirmed that the three deaths attributed
to Zika virus. However, in this particular case, the three deaths were preceded
by Guillain-Barre syndrome. Guillain-Barre is a rare disorder in which the
body's immune system attacks part of the nervous system and it is not normally
fatal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Another
six deaths were being investigated for possible links to Zika. There will
probably be more other cases of deaths linked to Zika. The world is realising
that Zika virus can be deadly. The mortality rate is not very high, but it can
be deadly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Prof
Jonathan Ball, a virologist with the University of Nottingham, UK said that we
have been saying that Zika virus has been associated with Guillain-Barre. One
of the complications of that could be respiratory failure. But it is still
probably a very rare event. Although Zika usually causes mild, flu-like
symptoms, it has been linked to thousands of suspected birth defects. However,
it has not yet been proved that Zika causes either microcephaly or
Guillain-Barre. The main method of infection is through a mosquito bite but
scientists in Brazil say tests on two patients revealed Zika virus can be found
in other body fluids. Paulo Gadelha, the head of Brazil's Fiocruz Institute
which is part of the Ministry of Health, said the presence of the active Zika
virus has been found in saliva and urine. But that does not mean there is a
capacity for transmission through saliva and urine. Traces of Zika's genetic
material were detected in saliva and urine during the 2013 outbreak in French
Polynesia, but the Brazilian authorities say this is the first time active
virus has been detected. Oswaldo Cruz, also from Fiocruz, added, It means the
virus is active, capable of infecting a cell so this is completely different,
it means that the virus is functional.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Brazil
has seen 4,783 suspected cases of babies born with small brains, although only
404 of them have been confirmed, 709 have been rejected and 3,670 are still
being investigated. Meanwhile, the US has advised men to abstain from sex or
use condoms after visiting affected countries, if their partner is pregnant. The
US Centers for Disease Control believes a recent case of Zika virus was spread
through sex. The updated advice says avoiding mosquitoes remains the best way
to prevent infection, but advises men returning from affected countries to correctly
use condoms during sex or abstain from sexual activity for the duration of the
pregnancy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Meanwhile,
the governor of Puerto Rico has declared a public health emergency over Zika.
The US territory has 22 confirmed cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-40055876595336328692016-01-28T20:49:00.001+00:002016-01-28T20:49:53.225+00:00Processing of Blood culture specimens<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Blood culture analysis is one of the most important functions of the
microbiology laboratory, as the medical staff relies on the information obtained
to aid in the diagnosis of bacteraemia or septicaemia and fungaemia. This can
be achieved using either automated system or the traditional non-automated or
manual system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Taking of blood culture
samples<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This is basically taking a blood sample into a pair of blood culture
bottles, aerobic and anaerobic and a further sampling usually two hours apart or more in endocarditis. This
increases the yield of positive result and may allow better recognition of
contamination. This is usually done as soon as symptoms present, preferably
before antibiotics are given, for example shortly after pyrexia spike when bacteria are more likely to be found in the blood stream. The procedure
is different in children and infants where specific paediatric blood culture
bottles are used. It is ideal that this is done by an experienced member of
staff as aseptic technique is very important at this stage to avoid
contamination. </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In most conditions
other than endocarditis, bacteraemia is intermittent, being related to the
fevers and rigors which occur 30-60 minutes after the entry of organisms into
the bloodstream (Ford, 2010).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It is recommended that 20-30ml blood be cultured as </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">volume of blood cultured is the most critical
factor in the detection of bloodstream infection, </span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">but most modern systems
only require approximately 10ml of blood to the two blood culture bottles and a
few systems restrict the volume to 5ml. </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">There is a direct relationship between blood volume and yield, with
approximately a 3% increase in yield per ml of blood cultured. </span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In neonates, 1-2ml is
recommended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Further pairs of blood culture samples are taken over three days in
cases of endocarditis or three blood culture samples over one day if therapy is
important. This is usually repeated at 48 hours if the result is negative. </span>These
samples are incubated on the Bactec FX Blood culture analyser for 5 days or 7
days for endocarditis patients.<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Samples must be clearly labelled with full patent details
including name and date of birth, hospital/NHS number and attached to a patient
test request form containing the clinical details. The addition of full
clinical details is vital as it gives laboratory and medical staff information
on the likely organisms to be isolated. These clinical
details may include sub-acute bacterial endocarditis(SBE), infective endocarditis(IE), endocarditis, native valve endocarditis(NVE), prosthetic valve
endocarditis(PVE), vegetative, heart murmur/new murmur, mitral valve and aortic
valve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Transportation of the Blood
culture samples.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Blood culture samples should be sent to the laboratory as soon as
possible after sampling. They can be stored in an appropriate incubator or kept
at ambient temperature before sending. Once samples are received in the
laboratory, they are processed immediately by either loading them on the
automated culture system or processing them manually.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;">Manual Blood culture system</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Blood
culture bottles (aerobic and anaerobic) containing culture medium are used in
manual blood culture systems and incubated at the appropriate temperature
usually 37<sup> </sup>degrees centigrade and incubated for 24 hours, 48hours
and 5 days (or 10 days if it is an endocarditic sample). The blood samples are subcultured
to blood agar, chocolate agar, Fastidious Anaerobic agar and Chromogenic UTI
agar after incubation of 24 hours, 48hours and 5 days (or 10 days if it is an
endocarditis sample). An example of manual blood culture system is Biomerieux Hemoline. Growth of organisms is
identified by an increase in turbidity of the culture medium and/or the
haemolysis of red blood cells. This method is labour intensive and requires the
frequent checking of the blood culture bottles in the
first 48 hours on receipt of the sample for macroscopic evidence of microbial
growth. Blind subculture at 24-48 hours and also at the end of the incubation
may pose the risk of contaminating the sample or potential infection risk to
the laboratory staff whenever the blood culture sample is opened.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;">Automated Blood culture system</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
An
automated blood culture system should be able to support the rapid growth of a
wide range of pathogenic bacteria including fastidious organisms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
The
recent improvement in the automated systems involves the detection of CO<sub>2 </sub>which
is produced due to glucose metabolism during microbial growth. In BD BACTEC FX
blood culture system for example, <span style="line-height: 150%;">which is used for the rapid detection of bacteria and
fungi in clinical specimens, the increase in the production of CO</span><sub style="line-height: 150%;">2 </sub><span style="line-height: 150%;">due
to microbial glucose metabolism causes a change in fluorescence or reflectance
in a chemical sensor located in the bottom of the bottle. The sensor is
monitored by the analyser every ten minutes for an increase in fluorescence
which is proportional to the amount of CO</span><sub style="line-height: 150%;">2 </sub><span style="line-height: 150%;">present. A positive
reading indicates the presumptive presence of viable organisms in the vial. Resins
can be added to the medium to neutralise a wide range of antibiotics and
enhance the recovery of organisms. This instrument can monitor a total of four
hundred vials or blood culture bottles which are arranged in four drawers. The
racks are continuously incubated at 36 degrees centigrade and agitated for maximum
recovery of organisms.</span><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
The
Biomerieux BacT/Alert is another automated blood culture system which uses
slightly different technology in comparison with the BD BACTEC FX. The sensor
is monitored by the analyser every ten minutes for an increase CO<sub>2 </sub>production.
This increases the concentration of hydrogen ions and decreases the pH thus
causing the sensor to become lighter green and eventually yellow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
The
culture bottles are usually incubated for a standard five days but in some cases
such as endocarditis they are incubated for seven days. This seven days
incubation usually applies to<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">
fastidious organsims, and those that rarely cause human disease other than
endocarditis, for example the HACEK group: <i>Haemophilus
aphrophilus</i>, <i>Actinobacillus
actinomycetemcomitans</i>, <i>Cardiobacterium
hominis</i>, <i>Eikenella corrodens </i>and <i>Kingella kingae</i>. <i>Bartonella</i> species are becoming increasingly important causes of
endocarditis particularly in AIDS patients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Blood culture bottle media</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Most systems
employ different media for the isolation of aerobic and anaerobic organisms,
and some media are specifically designed for organisms such as fungi and <i>Mycobacterium</i> species. A variety of blood culture media are
commercially available and have been reviewed. They differ in the types and
proportions of various supplements and anticoagulants, volumes of broth,
headspace atmospheres and the presence of antimicrobial-neutralising
agents. The aerobic bottle may or may
not require transient venting to increase the oxygen content in the headspace
for strictly aerobic organisms such as <i>Pseudomonas
aeruginosa</i> and <i>Candida albicans</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b>Aerobic<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b>Anaerobic<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b>Pediatrics<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b>Ingredients<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b>Quantity <o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b>Quantity <o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b>Quantity</b><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Processed
water<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
40ml<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
40ml<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
40ml<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Soybean-Casein
digest broth<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
2.75%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
2.75%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
2.75%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Yeast
extract<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.25%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.2%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.25%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Animal
tissue digest<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.10%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.05%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.10%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Dextrose<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.06%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.2%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.06%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Hemin<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.0005%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.0005%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.0005%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
menadione<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.00005%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.00005%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.00005%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Sodium
citrate<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.02%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Thiols
<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.1%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Sodium
pyruvate<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.10%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.1%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.10%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Saponin<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.26%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Antifoaming
agent<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.01%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Sodium
polyanetholsulfonate (SPS)<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.020%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.035%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.020%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Sucrose
<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.08%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.08%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Pyridoxal
HCL (Vitamin B<sub>6</sub>)<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.001%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.001%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Non-ionic
adsorbing resin<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
10.0%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
10.0%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Cationic
exchange resin<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 99.25pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.6%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
-<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 87.55pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
0.6%
w/v<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
The
media are dispensed with added CO<sub>2 </sub>for aerobic vials and CO<sub>2 </sub>and
N<sub>2</sub> for anaerobic vials. The presence of optimum blood volumes
(5-10ml) is beneficial in the recovery of some organisms sensitive to Sodium
polyanetholsulfonate (SPS) such as Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, because blood
can neutralise the toxicity of SPS.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">A</span></b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 150%;"> <b>blood:broth ratio</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">The blood:broth
ratio of about 1:15 is required to remove the antibacterial effects of normal
human blood, but this may be reduced to between 1:5 and 1:10 by the addition of
0.05% sodium polyanethol sulphonate (SPS).
SPS has an inhibitory effect on <i>Neisseria</i>
species, anaerobic cocci, <i>Streptobacillus
moniliformis</i> and <i>Mycoplasma hominis</i>.
The inhibitory effects of SPS may be reduced by the addition of scetic to the
broth. Some commercial bottles supplement the medium with materials which
improve microbial recovery by adsorbing antimicrobial substances and lysing the
white blood cells to release the micro-organisms into the blood-broth mixture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;">Neutralisation of antimicrobials</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Resins
can be added to the media to neutralise a wide range of antibiotics and enhance
the recovery of organisms. In addition, the addition of beta-lactamase will
help to overcome the effect of beta-lactam antibiotics. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;">Refereneces</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Brooks
G F, Butel J S and Morse S A (1998) Jawetz, Melnick and Adelberg’s Medical
Microbiology. Appleton and Lange, Stamford, Cunnecticut, USA<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
Ford
M (2010). Fundamentals of Biomedical Science; Medical Microbiology. <st1:placename w:st="on">Oxford</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype>
Press, <st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place>.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-57810441810435412422016-01-28T20:39:00.000+00:002016-01-28T20:39:59.324+00:00Erysipelas and Erysipeloid<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the dermis and upper subcutaneous layer, usually caused by streptococcus pyogens (β-haemolysis Lancefield Group A streptococcus) but also can be caused by β-haemolysis Lancefield Group G streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. It usually affects any part of the skin particularly face, legs and feet. The lesion is well raised, demarcated, red, swollen, tender and may develop vesicles and bullae. Symptoms include headache, fever, fatigue and the rapid enlargement of the skin redness</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Erysipeloid is a rare cutaneous inflammatory infection in humans caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. It usually affects the hands of persons who handle fish and raw meat. The lesion is raised, violaceous in colour with the absence of pus and usually accompanied by itching and burning. The absence of pus usually helps to differentiate it from Staphylococcal and Streptococcal skin infection. E. rhusiopathiae is a Gram positive rod which grows on blood agar, producing small, transparent glistering colonies and may be α-haemolytic. It also grows on Triple sugar iron agar (TSI) producing hydrogen sulphide turning the TSI butt black. They are microaerophlic and facultative anaerobes. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-42910405414703419332016-01-28T20:18:00.000+00:002016-01-28T20:18:39.574+00:00Automated Urine Microscopy Analysers<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The use of automated system in urine
analysis reduces the time and cost used in the manual routine analysis. In
addition, automated system analyses a high number of samples in a short time
(up to 100 samples per hour). There are a few methods available for automated
system which includes the Sysmex UF1000i, Menarini sediMAX and
Iris iQ200.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The Sysmex UF1000i method uses the
urine flow cytometry technology to detect red blood cells, white blood cells,
bacteria, epithelial cells and casts in urine. The automated system dilutes
200µL of the urine sample with citrate buffer solution and cationic surfactant
with an addition of 40µL of fluorescent dye to complete the mixture. This
mixture is then passed through a sheath of flow which is exposed to a laser
beam to detect the particles in the stained urine sample with the
fluorescent dye staining the nucleic acid in bacteria. The identification and
characterisation of particles are based on the fluorescence intensity, forward
scatter light and side scatter light intensity which generates electrical
signal patterns by photomultiplier conversion which is then measured.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The Menarini sediMAX is an
automated microscopy image based sediment analyser used in urine microscopy.
The analyser produces a monolayer of urine sediment by centrifugation in a
special cuvette. The sediment is analyzed by a bright field microscope and
digital camera to capture and categorize 15 particle images based upon size and
shape using image processing software. The digital images can be viewed by a
trained laboratory staff with zoom capability. The instrument has a high
sensitivity (>80%) in the detection of RBC and WBC but has a low sensitivity
(approximately 50%) when compared with manual microscopy.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The Iris iQ200 method uses digital
imaging and auto particle recognition to classify and quantify urine particles
in uncentrifuged urine based upon size and shape. It classifies images such as
WBC, RBC, bacteria, casts, yeast and crystals into categories. The digital
images generated are collected, approximately 500 frames per sample, then
viewed and classified by a trained laboratory staff. This is usually achieved
without the use of manual microscopy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The advantages and disadvantages of
the automated urine systems (Sysmex UF1000i, SediMAX and Iris iQ200) are
listed below</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 111.75pt;" valign="top" width="149"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Analyser<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 184.25pt;" valign="top" width="246"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Advantages<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 166.1pt;" valign="top" width="221"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Disadvantages<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 111.75pt;" valign="top" width="149"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sysmex UF1000i<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 184.25pt;" valign="top" width="246"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Uses uncentrifuged urine samples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Improved bacteria counting and flags for UTI.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Urgent urine samples can be processed by operating the analyser manually.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Throughput of 100 samples per hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 166.1pt;" valign="top" width="221"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cannot differentiate clinically significant pathologic casts cell from benign casts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Manual microscopy is carried out on flagged results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 111.75pt;" valign="top" width="149"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">sediMAX<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 184.25pt;" valign="top" width="246"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This analyser does not require any reagents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Requires minimal laboratory technician training to interpret images that are similar to manual microscopy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Results may be available for viewing from the stored digital images<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Throughput of 80 samples per hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 166.1pt;" valign="top" width="221"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yeast is mistaken for RBCs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Epithelial cells are mistaken for WBCs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Particle loss may occur due to the ultracentrifugation of urine samples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 111.75pt;" valign="top" width="149"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris iQ200<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 184.25pt;" valign="top" width="246"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Uses uncentrifuged urine samples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Accurately quantifies bacteria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Results may be available for viewing from the stored digital images<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Throughput of up to 101 samples per hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 166.1pt;" valign="top" width="221"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Crystals are mistaken for RBCs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There is no sufficient resolution in order to classify all dysmorphic RBC variants which prompt manual microscopy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Requires considerable laboratory technician training for viewing digital images that are different from manual microscopy.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-126355654473939602016-01-27T21:10:00.002+00:002016-01-27T21:10:54.920+00:00All you need to know about Zika virus and the outbreak<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Zika virus is a member of the <i>Flaviviridae</i> virus family and the <i>Flavivirus</i> genus and spread to people through <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Aedes<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="text-align: start;">mosquito bites. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">These mosquitoes are the same ones that spread dengue and
chikungunya virus. However, unlike the mosquitoes that spread malaria (<em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Anopheles</span></em><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-style: normal;"> mosquito</span></em>), they are mostly active during
the day, so bed nets offer limited protection against the virus. Zika virus has
been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brain which
is a really worrying situation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease include fever,
rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild
with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring
hospitalization is uncommon and deaths are rare (CDC). There is no vaccine as
of yet for this virus with only advice from doctors is to rest and drink plenty
of fluids. Only one in five people infected are thought to develop symptoms. However,
the biggest concern about this virus is its effect on unborn babies in the womb
and its link to microcephaly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">According to CDC, microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s
head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age. Microcephaly
is condition where a baby’s head is much smaller than expected. During
pregnancy, a baby’s head grows because the baby’s brain grows. Microcephaly can
occur because a baby’s brain has not developed properly during pregnancy or has
stopped growing after birth, which results in a smaller head size. Microcephaly
can be an isolated condition, meaning that it can occur with no other major
birth defects, or it can occur in combination with other major birth defects.</span>
Babies with microcephaly can have a range of other problems, depending on how
severe their microcephaly is. Microcephaly has been linked with problems which
include seizures, hearing loss, vision problems, and developmental delay such
as problems with speech, intellectual disability, problems with
movement and balance and feeding problems, such as difficulty swallowing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It
can be caused by infections such as rubella, Toxoplasmosis, Cytomegalovirus, substance
abuse during pregnancy or genetic abnormalities. Although the link with Zika virus
has not been confirmed, but some babies who died had the virus in their brain
and it has been detected in placenta and amniotic fluid too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It
was first identified in monkeys (<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><i>rhesus macaque</i></span>) in Zika Forest of Uganda in 1947. The first human
case was detected in Nigeria in 1954 and isolated from humans during studies
conducted in 1968 and 1971–1975 with outbreaks in some part of Africa, South
East Asia and the Pacific Islands since then. Most were small and Zika has not
previously been considered a major threat to human health. But in May 2015 it
was reported in Brazil and has seen spread rapidly. Brazil had fewer than 150
cases of microcephaly in the whole of 2014, but there have been more than 3,500
reported cases since October. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">It has since also
been reported in Barbados, Bolivia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras,
Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Suriname and
Venezuela.</span> The US National Institute of Health said that it is currently
an explosive pandemic re-emergence. WHO expects Zika virus to spread throughout
the Americas, however, other scientists have warned that the outbreak could
reach Asia countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As a preventive measure, the CDC has advised pregnant women</span>
not to travel to affected areas. People are also adviced to use insect
repellents, cover up with long-sleeved clothes and keep windows
and doors closed.<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-45439989448977831182016-01-27T19:48:00.001+00:002016-03-24T20:12:50.926+00:00Rubella screening in pregnant women to end in England – BBC<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><img src="http://www.bionews.org.uk/orgfiles/zorgf000014/logo/logo_bbc_health.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">The screening
of Rubella in women during pregnancy will end in England </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">in April
2016</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">.
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">This measure
is also being considered by rest of the UK. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">This is according to </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Public
Health England who reported that the success of MMR vaccination meant that the
infection was now incredibly rare and the screening was causing unnecessary
stress.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Rubella infection
during pregnancy can lead to brain damage and other health problems for the
baby in the womb. The viral infection which is also known as German measles is
mild, causing a rash and fever. But it becomes very serious in the first 20
weeks of pregnancy, when it can lead to sight and hearing problems, brain
damage and heart defects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Screening
during pregnancy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">During pregnancy,
women are offered a blood test to determine whether they are immune to the
virus. In 2012, the United Kingdom National Screening Committee recommended
that rubella screening should stop because levels of the virus were so low that
the World Health Organization classed rubella as eliminated in the UK. Public
Health England (PHE) said that high uptake of the MMR jab, which protects
against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) was allowing it to make the decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dr Anne
Mackie, the director of screening programmes at PHE, said that the decision to
end rubella susceptibility screening in pregnancy in England is based on a
rigorous assessment of the evidence and expert clinical advice. Screening for
rubella in pregnancy does not give any protection to the unborn baby in that
pregnancy. The best preventative measure a woman can take to protect herself
from rubella is to ensure she is immunised with the MMR vaccine before she gets
pregnant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
charity Sense, set up by parents affected by rubella, welcomed the news. Joff
McGill, from the charity, said: It is a cause for celebration that in the UK
there is no endemic rubella and congenital rubella syndrome births are now rare
thanks to the childhood immunisation programme and high levels of MMR uptake. Stopping
rubella screening in pregnancy will not lead to an increase in cases of
congenital rubella syndrome. The only way that will happen is if there are
significant rubella outbreaks, and we can ensure that doesn't happen by
continued high levels of uptake of MMR.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-2477039376755256992015-12-29T22:47:00.000+00:002015-12-29T22:47:45.268+00:00France sees bird flu cases double in less than a week <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">There has been cases of bird flu in France which has
doubled since Friday as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture with a total of
61 on 22 December, 2015 compared with 30 at the end of previous week. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture said the 61
cases now covered six regions in south-west France, with the Haute-Pyrenees
department the latest to have recorded cases close to the Spanish border.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">although the French Minister for Agriculture Stephane Le Foll said that the outbreak was under control, farmers in the Landes region, which has 27 cases, have now lost tens of thousands of birds. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">However, the sequencing of the H5N1
strain detected in the first outbreak in the Dordogne at the end of November
has confirmed the absence of key markers, meaning there is no danger to humans,
the ministry confirmed.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">According
to the latest analysis published by the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA), the
risk of bird flu spreading from France to the UK remains low but heightened.
APHA Head of Virology, Professor Ian Brown and Dr Helen Roberts, of APHA’s
international disease monitoring team said the risk to the UK as a result of
the French outbreaks was primarily around pathways which involve lapses in
biosecurity or trade routes, rather than through wild birds. The pair said the
French outbreaks were wholly of European origin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The situation in France simply reinforces what we already know that low pathogenic avian influenza </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">viruses [LPAI] circulate in wild birds and cause occasional
spillover outbreaks in poultry. These may be difficult to detect in domestic
waterfowl species and they may then mutate into [highly pathogenic avian influenza
(HAPI)] viruses. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">The
cases in a France may be related but whether the index case for LPAI and
HPAI mutation has been found is unclear.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">the run-up to Christmas, the agency reminded poultry keepers to maintain high standards of biosecurity, remain vigilant and report any signs of animals
showing sickness.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">-Farmers weekly</span> (<a href="http://www.fwi.co.uk/poultry/bird-flu-cases-in-france-double-in-less-than-a-week.htm">http://www.fwi.co.uk/poultry/bird-flu-cases-in-france-double-in-less-than-a-week.htm</a>)</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-1787194235730317132015-12-29T21:49:00.000+00:002016-03-24T20:11:59.185+00:00Sexually transmitted diseases has exploded in recent years – CDC<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><img height="301" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/US_CDC_logo.svg/1280px-US_CDC_logo.svg.png" width="400" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Maggie Fox<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span>from NBC News has reported that
common sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhoea have
exploded in recent years in USA, in part because of reduced funding for public
health clinics. There are more than 1.4 million reported cases of Chlamydia
last year which is the highest number of cases of any disease ever reported to
the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">CDC reported that the number of
syphilis cases reported in 2014 were under 20,000, the highest rate since 1994
and a 15% increase over 2013. They also found 458 cases of syphilis in newborn
babies which is a startling 27.5%t increase over 2013. In addition more than
350,000 cases of gonorrhoea were reported which is up 5% from 2013.
"Certainly, this is the first time since 2006 that all three of our
notifiable sexually transmitted diseases have increased," said the CDC's
Dr. Gail Bolan. "Some of the increases are quite alarming." Most of
the increases have been seen in young adults, who get infected soon after they
first begin having sex.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The CDC estimates that half of the 20
million new sexually transmitted infections that occur every year are among
people aged 15-24. Dr Bolan noted that Young people are the most vulnerable and
women can lose their reproductive health for a lifetime from infection of
Chlamydia or gonorrhoea. While antibiotics can treat the infections, they often
do not cause symptoms until damage has been done.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What's going on to cause the increase?
There are several factors, the CDC says. Budget cuts are a big factor. Most
recently, there have been significant erosions of state and local STD control
programs. Most people don't recognize that the direct clinical care of
individuals with sexually transmitted diseases is supported by state and local
funds and federal funds. Just one example in October, the Illinois Department
of Health </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">stopped
paying for STD tests at 100 jails and local
health departments across the state. Dr Bolan acknowledged that in one year 7%
of local health departments said they closed their STD clinics. And 43% said
they had to cut back on the hours they could stay open. About a third had to
raise fees and co-pays, something that's been shown to keep some people away.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another big factor is a change in
behaviour among gay and bisexual men. The increase in syphilis among gay men is
concerning because we have been seeing this increase for almost a decade, Dr
Bolan said. It seems to correlate with the advent of HIV treatment. Dr Bolan
also added that</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> HIV
treatment is not responsible for the change. HIV
infection has become a chronic disease that can be managed with the cocktails
of powerful HIV drugs that are now available, instead of a death sentence. HIV
patients know they can stay healthy if they take the drugs, and that they are
less likely to infect someone else and people are excited about it. And some
may have stopped using condoms so consistently, because they are no longer
afraid of a deadly infection. Unfortunately, HIV treatment has no impact on
prevention of other STDs. The non consistent and correct use of condoms is
putting people at risk for STDs.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Uninfected people can also take HIV
drugs to protect themselves from infection. That might make people think
they're even safer from HIV. Researchers across the country found that people
at high risk of HIV who took the drugs in a practice called pre-exposure
prophylaxis or PrEP almost never caught HIV, but they did catch syphilis and
gonorrhoea. There is some data suggesting that there is less condom use in some
populations now. As for Chlamydia, Dr Bolan thinks it's mostly a matter of
better reporting that's driving the record numbers of reported cases. Chlamydia
has been a very common sexually transmitted infection for years.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">- Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">CDC)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- NBC News (<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/health/sexual-health/cdc-sees-alarming-increase-sexually-transmitted-diseases-n465071"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.nbcnews.com/health/sexual-health/cdc-sees-alarming-increase-sexually-transmitted-diseases-n465071</span></a>)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-54931951788378204892015-12-28T15:02:00.001+00:002016-03-24T20:13:21.119+00:00Rise in untreatable multi-antimicrobial resistant gonorrhoea strain – BBC<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><img src="http://www.bionews.org.uk/orgfiles/zorgf000014/logo/logo_bbc_health.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">England chief medical officer has
warned that Gonorrhoea could become untreatable due to emergence of multi
antimicrobial resistant strains termed</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="background: white;">"super-gonorrhoea"</span> <span style="background: white;">according to BBC</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">All GPs and pharmacies have been
written to by Dame Sally Davies to ensure they are prescribing the correct
drugs after the rise of "super-gonorrhoea" in Leeds.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="background: white;">This warning came</span> <span style="background: white;">after concerns were raised that some patients were not getting both of
the antibiotics needed to clear the infection. Sexual health doctors said
gonorrhoea was "rapidly" developing resistance.</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">in March 2015, a highly
drug-resistant strain of gonorrhoea was detected in the north of
England. That strain is able to shrug off the antibiotic azithromycin,
which is normally used alongside another drug, ceftriaxone.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In Dame Sally Davies letter, the
chief medical officer said: "Gonorrhoea is at risk of becoming an
untreatable disease due to the continuing emergence of antimicrobial resistance."
But while an injection of ceftriaxone and an azithromycin pill are supposed to
be used in combination, this may not always be the case for all patients.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The British Association for Sexual
Health and HIV (BASHH) warned earlier this year that some online pharmacies
were offereing oral medication options only. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Using just one of the two drugs
makes it easier for the bacterium to develop resistance. The letter, which is
also signed by chief pharmaceutical officer Dr Keith Ridge, stated:
"Gonorrhoea has rapidly acquired resistance to new antibiotics, leaving
few alternatives to the current recommendations. "It is therefore
extremely important that suboptimal treatment does not occur."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gonorrhoea is caused by the
bacterium called</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <i><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Neisseria
gonorrhoeae.</span> </i><span style="background: white;">The infection is
spread by unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex. Symptoms can include a thick
green or yellow discharge from sexual organs, pain when urinating and bleeding
between periods. Often the person has no symptoms, however, but can still easily
spread the disease to others. Untreated infection can lead to infertility,
pelvic inflammatory disease and can be passed on to a child during pregnancy.</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gonorrhoea is the second most
common sexually transmitted infection in England and cases are soaring. The
number of infections increased by 19% from 29,419 in 2013 to 34,958 the
following year.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dr Jan Clarke, the president of
BASHH, told the BBC News website: "We're really pleased that the chief
medical officer has stressed that gonorrhoea needs this approach to treatment
due to the rapid development of resistance."We need to protect what we've
got and we need to encourage pharmacists and general practitioners to follow
first-line treatment."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dr Andrew Lee, from Public Health
England, added: "Investigations are ongoing into a number of cases of
anti-microbial resistant gonorrhoea. "Public Health England will continue
to monitor, and act on, the spread of antimicrobial resistance and potential
gonorrhoea treatment failures, to make sure they are identified and managed
promptly."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">- BBC</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591940035385302951.post-62788567639993580252015-11-02T13:19:00.000+00:002015-11-30T21:04:05.072+00:00Citrobacter freundii<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGrBgJwMUyU2X_jQ2htWL19gfJEr6pZCB8LBKLi-Pe-lvdEzPTg2lx5iYhzbx1hIzdm7Lf2sFkDBYtEYY_AHc0wmxY_2QNWh-9-P9ZgFZVXgD-9W60Q9INK673DPBOOhNalDQTiGxLn4/s1600/Citrobacter+freundii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGrBgJwMUyU2X_jQ2htWL19gfJEr6pZCB8LBKLi-Pe-lvdEzPTg2lx5iYhzbx1hIzdm7Lf2sFkDBYtEYY_AHc0wmxY_2QNWh-9-P9ZgFZVXgD-9W60Q9INK673DPBOOhNalDQTiGxLn4/s320/Citrobacter+freundii.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Citrobacter freundii</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUXqnrFTidc58bZeuUxUWX7GronmU2QMP4GakTncgpEqIO5WNiaSMSkLcJdy_oBaQDEYK7Q3yFlfoaJtpJnQfjLECfkL08mTZp-_Xk8ZFiKPTZi49hGdSQL9bnJF8jcavPy5OShvRoK4/s1600/Citrobacter+freundii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUXqnrFTidc58bZeuUxUWX7GronmU2QMP4GakTncgpEqIO5WNiaSMSkLcJdy_oBaQDEYK7Q3yFlfoaJtpJnQfjLECfkL08mTZp-_Xk8ZFiKPTZi49hGdSQL9bnJF8jcavPy5OShvRoK4/s320/Citrobacter+freundii.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Citrobacter freundii</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Citrobacter
freundii</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> is a Gram negative rod bacteria that belongs to the <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> family. They are
aerobic and facultative anaerobes. They can cause a number of infections
including urinary tract infections and sepsis. According to Whalen <i>et al</i>, 2007, <i>C. freundii </i>represents
29% of all opportunistic infections. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">They grow on Chromogenic agar as shown above
as pink or purple colonies due to its strong beta-galactosidase activity (Ford, 2010). They are typically citrate positive and can be differentiated from <i>Salmonellae</i> in that they do not
decarboxylate lysine (Brooks <i>et al</i>,
1998). They are oxidase negative and catalase positive when tested in the
laboratory. They are also negative to indole test which can be used as a rapid test
to differentiate it from <i>Escherichia coli
</i>which is indole positive<i> </i>from
chromogenic agar where they produce similar colour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">References<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Brooks
G F, Butel J S and Morse S A (1998). Jawetz, Melnick and Adelberg’s Medical
Microbiology. Appleton and Lange, Stamford, Cunnecticut, USA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ford
M (2010). Fundamentals of Biomedical Science; Medical Microbiology. Oxford
University Press, London.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Whalen J.G, Mully T.W and English J.C (2007). </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">Spontaneous </span><i style="line-height: 150%;">Citrobacter freundii</i><span style="line-height: 150%;"> Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 150%;"> </span><i style="line-height: 150%;">Archives of
Dermatology</i><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 150%;"> </span><b style="line-height: 150%;">143</b><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 150%;"> (1):
124–125.</span></div>
<br />naijablognewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474306454600160103noreply@blogger.com0