The roles of clinical microbiologists include the identify- cation of bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic agents that cause human disease, providing diagnostic and therapeutic support for the clinical management of patients, and preventing the transmission of infectious diseases in both the health care system and the community. Developments in sampling: he conventional diagnosis of infectious diseases …
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Alternatives to classic antibiotics and the advantages and disadvantages of their use
The alternatives to classsic antibiotics include using traditional methods, exploiting natural resources and the use of bacteriophages. Honey, plant and invertebrate extracts: Honey is known for its antimicrobial properties – these include low pH, hydrogen peroxide production (in some honeys), high osmolarity, flavonoids and likely undiscovered antimicrobial compounds. The ‘quality’ of the honey varies with …
Skin Infections and their pathogens
The different types of skin infections include bacterial, viral and fungal. Symptoms within this can vary from mild to serious. Mild infections may be treatable with over-the-counter medications and home remedies, whereas other infections may require medical attention. Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It is usually caused by either group A β-hemolyticstreptococciorStaphylococcus aureus. It is most common in …
The drug discovery process
A drug is any chemical taken that has the ability to affect the way the body works; examples include aspirin and nicotine. New drugs are needed as a great deal of medical needs remain unmet. These needs include the emergence of new diseases, the low efficacy of existing drugs and the use of drugs that …
Potential therapeutic use of stem cells in regenerative medicine
The current treatments for many autoimmune diseases include the systemic use of anti-inflammatory drugs and potent immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory agents (i.e., steroids and inhibitor proteins that block the action of inflammatory cytokines). In recent years, researchers have contemplated the use of stem cells to treat autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis and Type 1 …
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Nosocomial infections
Nosocomial infections are contracted because of an infection or toxin that exists in a certain location, such as a hospital. People now use nosocomial infections interchangeably with the terms health-care associated infections (HAIs) and hospital-acquired infections. HAI infections can occur, 48 hours after hospital admission, 3 days after discharge and 30 days after an operation. Examples of nosocomial infections include staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas, …
The consequence of vaccination against specific diseases on global health
Vaccination has made an enormous contribution to global health. Two major infections, smallpox and rinderpest, have been eradicated. Despite these successes, approximately 6.6 million children still die each year and about a half of these deaths are caused by infections, including pneumonia and diarrhoea, which could be prevented by vaccination. Enhanced deployment of recently developed pneumococcal …
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The difference between intracellular and extracellular infections
Infections can manifest themselves through intracellular and extracellular bacteria. Extracellular bacteria do not invade cells. Instead they proliferate in the extracellular environment which is enriched with body fluids. For example, P. aeruginosa is a non-invasive extracellular infection, that rapidly spreads to various tissues extracellular bacteria do not have the capacity to survive the intracellular environment …
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The Pharmacology of Cannabinoids for therapeutic and recreational purpose
Cannabinoids are a diverse class of chemical compounds that occur naturally in the human body (endocannabinoids) and cannabis plants (phytocannabinoids). Interactions with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) trigger the release of neurotransmitters triggering various physiological changes. There are up to 113 different types of Cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC, CBD, THC, CBN and CBDL, all of …
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Antibiotic Resistance Strategies
To survive in the presence of an antibiotic, bacterial organisms must be able to disrupt one or more of the essential steps required for the effective action of the antimicrobial agent. The intended modes of action of antibiotics may be counter-acted by bacterial organisms via several different means. This may involve preventing antibiotic access into …
Pharma and Biotech Advances 