Varicella Zoster
Varicella Zoster VZV = an alpha herpes virus; 90% of adults have evidence of infection; spread via droplet excreted from the throat of patients with chicken pox OR via contact with vesicle fluid in chicken pox or shingles.
Vibrio infection
OVERVIEW organisms: Vibrio vulnificus and other species CLINICAL FEATURES tropical environments sea water borne cut to skin -> cellulitis -> necrotizing cellulitis profound multi-organ failure RISK FACTORS raw oyster consumption liver disease iron overload INVESTIGATIONS tissue culture blood cultures MANAGEMENT…
Léon Clément Le Fort
Léon Clément Le Fort (1829 – 1893) was a French surgeon. Eponym: Wagstaffe-Le Fort fracture (1886); Le Fort Operation for uterine prolapse; Le Fort amputation; Le Fort Male Catheter; and Le Fort sound. Godfather of FOAM 'Liberté de l'enseignement'
Waterborne Diseases
Waterborne Disease: major killer of the paediatric patient in the developed world
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an environmental global emerging Gram-negative MDRO that is most commonly associated with respiratory infections in humans
Spinal epidural abscess
Spinal epidural abscess is considered a neurosurgical emergency; morbidity and mortality is worse with delayed diagnosis, and the worse the neurological deficit at the time of surgery the worse the outcome
Abdominal X-ray and CT
Abdominal X-ray: AXR; Bowel obstruction; Sigmoid volvulus; Caecal volvulus; Bowel perforation
Arterial blood gas (ABG)
Arterial blood gas (ABG) is used to determine the adequacy of oxygenation and ventilation, assess respiratory function and determine the acid–base balance.
Ascitic Fluid
OVERVIEW classified according to serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) CAUSES High SAAG (“transudate”) cirrhosis, hepatic failure, hepatic venous occlusion, constrictive pericarditis, kwashiorkor, cardiac failure, alcoholic hepatitis, liver metastasis Low SSAG (“exudate”) malignancy, infection (bacterial, fungal, Tb), pancreatitis, nephrotic syndrome, bowel obstruction…
Autoimmune Markers
numerous autoimmune markers will overlap between conditions and varying specificity and sensitivity
Blood Film
Peripheral blood film can provide useful information in diagnosing haematological conditions
Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP): released from ventricular myocytes in response to ventricular distension; role in regulation of salt and water excretion and BP management (ADH antagonist)