Congenital toxoplasmosis cerebral calcification chorioretinitis A form of ‘salt and pepper’ chorioretinitis is also seen in congenital rubella but this is not a common feature. Chorioretinitis is found in around 75% of patients with congenital toxoplasmosis. Congenital infections The major …
HIV: immunisation The Department of Health ‘Greenbook’ on immunisation defers to the British HIV Association for guidelines relating to immunisation of HIV-infected adults Vaccines that can be used in all HIV- infected adults Vaccines that can be used if CD4 …
Vaginal discharge Vaginal discharge is a common presenting symptom and is not always pathological Common causes physiological Candida Trichomonas vaginalis bacterial vaginosis Less common causes whilst cervical infections such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea can cause a vaginal discharge this is …
Severe renal failure may cause a false negative test but CKD stage 3 would not. Tuberculosis: screening The Mantoux test is the main technique used to screen for latent tuberculosis. In recent years the interferongamma blood test has also been …
Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a double-stranded DNA virus and is spread through exposure to infected blood or body fluids, including vertical transmission from mother to child. The incubation period is 6-20 weeks. Immunisation against hepatitis B (please see the …
Post-exposure prophylaxis Hepatitis A Human Normal Immunoglobulin (HNIG) or hepatitis A vaccine may be used depending on the clinical situation Hepatitis B HBsAg positive source: if the person exposed is a known responder to HBV vaccine then a booster dose …
Mumps meningitis is associated with a low CSF glucose Mumps meningitis is associated with a low glucose in up to a third of patients Meningitis: CSF analysis The table below summarises the characteristic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings in meningitis: Bacterial …
Most common organism found in central line infections – Staphylococcus epidermidis Staphylococci Staphylococci are a common type of bacteria which are often found normal commensal organisms but may also cause invasive disease. Some basic facts include: Gram-positive cocci facultative anaerobes …
The two main tests used for screening in the UK are the Mantoux (skin) test and the interferon- gamma (blood) test. Whilst the use of the interferon-gamma test is increasing it is still reserved for specific situations, none of which …
The BNF recommends a twice a day dose of rifampicin for two days, based on the patients weight. Meningitis: management Investigations suggested by NICE full blood count CRP coagulation screen blood culture whole-blood PCR blood glucose blood gas Lumbar puncture …