An outbreak of Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in Kano State, Nigeria, affecting poultry such as layers, ducks, guinea fowls, and turkeys. This highly contagious virus poses a serious threat to poultry farms and, in rare cases, can infect humans through direct contact with sick birds, contaminated environments, […]
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Dec
Dec
Contagion is the process by which infectious diseases spread through populations. It describes the way viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens move from one person to another, often through what looks like minor interactions but have big consequences. Contagion has a ripple effect: a single point of exposure can lead to a very widespread within a […]
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Nov
Nov
Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is a parasitic infection caused by Onchocerca volvulus, a nematode. It is gotten when infected blackflies (Simulium species) bites a person, during a blood meal. These species breed near fast-flowing rivers and streams. As a result, people who live in riverine areas like Rivers, Cross river, Akwaibom states in […]
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Nov
Nov
Diagnosing Onchocerca volvulus, the causative agent of onchocerciasis, requires the combination of clinical presentations and laboratory techniques. Most times, physical signs, such as the presence of microfilariae in the eyes or swollen and hyperpigmented legs serve as initial diagnostic clues. However, Laboratory tests are important for identifying and confirming active infections, assessing the intensity of […]
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Nov
Nov
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat. MRSA can be classified into two main types: healthcare-associated (HA-MRSA) and community-associated (CA-MRSA), each presenting different treatment challenges. Table of Contents1 2 Treatment Options2.1 Antibiotic Therapy3 3.1 Surgical Intervention4 4.1 Topical Treatments5 6 Infection Control […]
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Nov
Nov
Campylobacter jejuni is one of the bacteria that cause diarrhea. Others include Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae and pathogenic Escherichia coli. Laboratory diagnosis of campylobacter jejuni or other species of campylobacter is not complicated especially in a good laboratory. Table of Contents1 Clinical Presentation of campylobacter infection.2 Different Testing Methods for Campylobacter jejuni Diagnosis in […]
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Nov
Nov
Table of Contents1 What is Otitis Media2 The Misidentification of Candida spp. as Staphylococcus spp.2.1 Microscopy2.2 Culture Characteristics3 Candida spp. Resembling Red Blood Cells4 Best Practices for Accurate Identification of Candida in Otitis Media What is Otitis Media Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear – you know the space behind the eardrum. […]
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Nov
Nov
Imagine a blood type so rare that it’s like finding a pin in a haystack. That’s the Bombay blood group for you. Discovered in 1952 in Mumbai, India, this unique blood type turns the world of haematology and blood transfusion upside down. The Bombay blood group is unique, unlike the common A, B, AB, […]
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Nov
Nov
Every year, more than 200,000 deaths are recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa due to Schistosomiasis caused by these trematodes. Different species of this trematode exist, and they include Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni. But today, our focus will be on Schistosoma haematobium. S.haematobium is endemic in 54 countries and is commonly termed a blood […]
Fastidious bacteria are the “high-maintenance” organisms of the microbial world. They demand specific nutrients and environmental conditions to grow. These organisms may need enriched media, particular gases (e.g., CO₂), specific pH, or temperature for optimal growth. This makes their isolation and identification more challenging than those of obligate organisms. Unfortunately, they are not just difficult […]