Laboratory Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases Principles and Practice

The Basics of Microbiology

10.33442/vt202101 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Werner Solbach

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Defense Mechanisms ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Laboratory Diagnosis ◽

Asymptomatic Infection ◽

The Body ◽

Sufficient Evidence ◽

Effective Measure ◽

Hygiene Measures

Microorganisms constitute 70 percent of the biomass on Planet Earth. Comparatively few species are adapted to colonize human surfaces and form a complex Meta-Organism with manyfold mutual benefits. Occasionally, microorganisms may overcome the barriers of the skin and mucosal surfaces and may multiply locally or in multiple sites inside the body. This process is called infection. Infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, helminths, and fungi. Immediately after infection, numerous defense mechanisms of the immune system are activated to combat replication of the microbes. There is a balance between microorganism and human defense mechanisms, which may lead to either asymptomatic infection or result in a wide spectrum of symptoms from mild to severe disease and even death. The most important factors in the diagnosis of infectious diseases are a careful history, physical examination and the appropriate collection of body fluids and tissues. Laboratory diagnosis requires between 2 and 72 hours. Wherever possible, antibiotics should only be used when sufficient evidence of efficacy is available. Then, however, they should be used as early as possible and in high doses. In addition to everyday hygiene measures, vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent infectious diseases.

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New Real-Time PCRs to Differentiate Rickettsia spp. and Rickettsia conorii

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25194431 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (19) ◽

pp. 4431 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Valeria Blanda ◽

Rosalia D’Agostino ◽

Elisabetta Giudice ◽

Kety Randazzo ◽

Francesco La Russa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Real Time ◽

Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽

Laboratory Diagnosis ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Rickettsia Conorii ◽

Rickettsia Species ◽

Vector Borne Diseases ◽

Vector Borne ◽

Dna Primers

Rickettsia species are an important cause of emerging infectious diseases in people and animals, and rickettsiosis is one of the oldest known vector-borne diseases. Laboratory diagnosis of Rickettsia is complex and time-consuming. This study was aimed at developing two quantitative real-time PCRs targeting ompB and ompA genes for the detection, respectively, of Rickettsia spp. and R. conorii DNA. Primers were designed following an analysis of Rickettsia gene sequences. The assays were optimized using SYBR Green and TaqMan methods and tested for sensitivity and specificity. This study allowed the development of powerful diagnostic methods, able to detect and quantify Rickettsia spp. DNA and differentiate R. conorii species.

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Challenges in laboratory diagnosis of acute viral central nervous system infections in the era of emerging infectious diseases: the syndromic approach

Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy ◽

10.1080/14787210.2016.1215914 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 829-836 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anna Papa ◽

Tzimoula Kotrotsiou ◽

Elpida Papadopoulou ◽

Chantal Reusken ◽

Corine GeurtsvanKessel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽

Laboratory Diagnosis ◽

Central Nervous System Infections ◽

Syndromic Approach

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Clinical and laboratory diagnosis of lower extremity infections

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association ◽

10.7547/87507315-79-10-505 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 79 (10) ◽

pp. 505-510

Author(s):

WS Joseph

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Physical Examination ◽

Therapeutic Intervention ◽

Systematic Approach ◽

Laboratory Diagnosis ◽

Infectious Complications ◽

Laboratory Analysis ◽

Patient History ◽

Partial Amputation

By following a systematic approach to the patient history, physical examination, and laboratory analysis in cases of infections, rapid and accurate therapeutic intervention becomes possible. This action can prevent possibly devastating infectious complications, ranging from partial amputation to death. The current litigious climate dictates thorough evaluation and documentation of all infectious diseases of the lower extremity.

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