GI tract (LAB)

Salmonella can be differentiated from Shigella sp. in the lab by examining cultures inoculated onto XLD agar. The picture above shows Red colonies with  black center which is indicative of Salmonella sp.  In addition to its colony appearance on XLD agar KIA, LIA an UREA tests should also be performed.  KIA should produce alkaline over acid with H2S, LIA is purple over purple with H2S and Urea is negative.

Genital Infections (Lecture)

Did you now that Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrea are the most common STD' in the United States and especially in Alabama.  In 2008 approximately 1.2 million cases of Chlamydia were reported to the CDC 23,005 of which were cases in Alabama.  Alabama is 4th in the nation for both of these diseases and second in the nation for Primary and secondary syphilis. Here ar a few STD statistics for Birmingham that you may find interesting.

 

Birmingham STD Statistics

Sexually transmitted diseases are a growing concern for the entire Birmingham metro region.
STD Statistics for Birmingham, AL:

Sexually Transmitted Disease	2008 Annual Data
Syphilis Cases (Jefferson County)	183
Syphilis Rate (Jefferson County)	27.8
Chlamydia Cases (Jefferson County)	5,814
Chlamydia Rate (Jefferson County)	882.5
Gonorrhea Cases (Jefferson County)	2,604
Gonorrhea Rate (Jefferson County)	395.3
HIV Cases (Alabama)	718
HIV Rate (Alabama)	17.6
Syphilis Cases (Alabama)	1,187
Syphilis Rate (Alabama)	25.6
Gonorrhea Cases (Alabama)	9,740
Gonorrhea Rate (Alabama)	210.5
Chlamydia Cases (Alabama)	24,760
Chlamydia Rate (Alabama)	535.0

Culturing for Strep and Rapid Tests(Lab)

In lab this following week we used throat swabs to culture bacteria onto Sheep Blood Agar.  Hopefully this flow chart will help the next time you suspect an infection with any of the Groups of Streptococcus. We also used a simple rapid test called Quick Vue Dipstick to test for Group A Streptococcal antigen.  This test is a lateral flow immunoassay.  A positive test Shows a pink/purple color on the test line and a blue control line which corresponds to a patient being positive for Group A streptococcal antigen.  A negative test is simply the presence of a blue control line only with no color in the test line. 

THORACENTESIS (lecture)

Thoracentesis is a collection method used to collect pleural fluid from the lungs.  This pleural fluid can be sent to the laboratory to detect and diagnose infections of the lower repiratory tract.  Patients with pneumonia and tuberculosis may need to have this procedure done.  The entire thoracentesis procedure lasts 10 to 15 minutes.  The doctor inserts a needle between the ribs and into the pleural space (located between the lungs and the chest wall) with the assistance of an ultrasound. Ouch!

Urine Cultures (Lab)

Urine cultures are performed when a patient exhibits symptoms of a urinary tract infection.  The presence of a single type of bacteria growing at high colony counts is considered to be a positive urine culture.  If a mid stream clean catch is properly collected cultures with greater than 100,000 CFU/mL usually indicates a urinary tract infection.  For urine specimens collected from a sterile site such as a catheter  results of 1,000 to 100,000 could be significant. To determine the final ID the colony morphology should be examined and the appropriate tests performed. If there is no growth on a urine culture in 24-48 hours then this probably means that the patient is free from infection. 

Urinary Tract Infections (lecture)

Last week in class we discussed Urinary Tract Infections (UTI's).  UTI's are one of the most common bacterial infections and affects both sexes and all age groups. Women, diabetics, and men with enlarged prostates have the highest risk of developing a UTI.  There are several different types of bacteriuria ( bacteria in the urine) that cause UTI's including: Asymptomatic, Pyelonephritis, Urethritis, Cystitis, and Acute urethral syndrome.  I have found a link to http://www.kidney.org/kidneyDisease/uti/index.html that is very helpful and discusses UTI facts, prevention, treatment, symptoms, and diagnosis.  There is even a short quiz that you can take to test your knowledge on the topic.

Nine People Killed from Bacteria in IV Solutions

Nineteen hospitals in Alabama, and 6 hospitals in the Birmingham area, received contaminated Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) from IV Meds Pharmacy in Birmingham.  The bacteria was found to be Serratia marcescens and was linked to the pharmacy by a swab from a water faucet inside the pharmacy.  As a result, 19 patients were affected and 6 patients died. To read more on this topic go to http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/03/31/alabama.hospitals.deaths/