A new method for distinction between bacterial and viral infections

nujatiju submitted, created time 1 year 4 months (www.sciencedirect.com)

This landmark study describes a novel marker of local and systemic bacterial infections designated “clinical infection score (CIS) point”, which incorporates quantitative analysis of CR1 and CR3 on neutrophils and standard clinical laboratory data, CRP and ESR. CIS point varied between 0 and 8, and displayed 98% sensitivity and 97% specificity in distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections. It is well proved that the diagnostic yield of individual infection markers in distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections increases upon combination.

Submit comment | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: Infectious diseases Differential diagnosis Neutrophils Complement receptors CR1(CD35) and CR3(C Bacterial infections Viral infections CRP ESR

Older Antifungal Still a Good Choice Against Tough Infections

annatto submitted, created time 1 year 5 months (www.forbes.com)

A new study shows an older, cheaper medication to treat potentially deadly fungal infections may work just as well as a newer drug in most cases.

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Herpes infection may be symbiotic, help beat back some bacteria

athena submitted, created time 1 year 6 months (www.biologynews.net)

"Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis attributed the surprising finding to changes in the immune system triggered by the long-term presence of a latent herpes virus infection. In latent viral infections, the virus is present for the lifetime of the host in a relatively quiescent form that does not cause overt symptoms. "

Submit comment | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: immune system latent herpes virus viral infections herpes virus bacteria