Author Archives: mdjkf
Standard precautions (infection control)- what is included?
What is included as part of Standard Precautions? SP protect healthcare staff and patients from infection transmission via Direct or Indirect contact modes. The assumption is made that all blood/body fluids are potentially infectious and PPE measures should be taken … Continue reading
Posted in Standard precautions
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Cyclospora cayetanensis – practical morphology
Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts are similar to Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts but are approx. twice as large. Both are acid fast and stain pink/red/burgundy with safranin . Cyclospora can be more acid-fast variable and can have a bubbly appearance and be granular. In unstained wet mounts, Cyclospora appear glassy … Continue reading
Antimicrobial resistance: WHY it matters, HOW did it arise and WHAT can we do about it – PNG focus
Global status of AMR with focus on PNG Medical Symposium Sept 2015 Why does AMR matter? Antimicrobial resistance kills- mortality higher for resistant pathogens AMR hampers the control of infectious diseases – prolonged infectivity – eg. MDR-TB AMR increases the … Continue reading
Posted in A/m resistance, A/m stewardship, Infection prev & control, PNG
Tagged Hand hygiene, Tuberculosis
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Case report (from AAC): Community-Acquired Pyelonephritis in Pregnancy Caused by KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae
Abstract (full case report with expert commentary is free) Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) usually infect patients with significant comorbidities and health care exposures. We present a case of a pregnant woman who developed community-acquired pyelonephritis caused by KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. Despite … Continue reading
Posted in Bacteria (GNEG), Cautionary tales, Infectious diseases, Module-Urinary tract infection
Tagged Klebsiella, KPC
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An everyday tragedy: treating asymptomatic bacteruria with antibiotics
Act 1 of a common tragedy that sets the scene for antibiotic resistance – an elderly female resident of a nursing home complains of minor dysuria or perhaps just has urine that appears cloudy or smelly. The nurse collects some urine and … Continue reading
Posted in A/m stewardship, Cautionary tales, Module-Urinary tract infection
Tagged Bacteriuria
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Acute infections that present with a normal or low white cell count (doxycycline deficiency!)
Originally posted on AIMED – Let's talk about antibiotics:
There is a long list that will vary according to your locale. Across Northern NSW, the important ones to consider include: Viral illnesses including influenza, adenovirus, viral hepatitis, parvovirus, EBV…
Lets talk about antibiotics – Australian blog focused on practical stewardship
A I M E D stands for five essential principles relating to optimal use of antimicrobials : This site aims to discuss antimicrobial stewardship issues of local relevance to prescribers, pharmacists and other interested groups. This site is supported by a brains … Continue reading
Room temperature bubble-through water chambers for patient oxygen supply are an infection hazard and do not provide significant humidification!
These commonly used devices are usually contaminated with environmental Gram negative bacteria that like moist environments – eg. Pseudomonas species, Alcaligenes, coliforms and other. These organisms may be multi-resistant. The physics of humidification show that these room temperature devices do NOT … Continue reading
Does completing the course reduce bacterial antibiotic resistance?
The notion that completing the course of an antibiotic reduces the emergence of bacterial resistance is not accepted anymore. From in vitro evidence, we know that prolonged exposure to antibiotic, particularly at low levels (as occurs for instance in the oropharynx … Continue reading
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases postgraduate teaching (PRIDA) 
Infectious diseases 101
Some thoughts to stimulate discussion! Make friends with your enemy (micro-organisms). Know a lot about The most important pathogens. Be systematic and critical about your knowledge and study. Access local research and expertise as much as possible. Contribute to research. … Continue reading →