Diagnosing Infection Flashcards
What is the initial screening test for HIV called?
HIV antibody
What is the usual first line test to check for Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C antibody
When there is a presence of ‘Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)’ in the blood, what does this indicate?
An acute hepatitis B infection - if it is present for longer than 6 months this means it is chronic
What is the strongest risk factor for developing infective endocarditis?
A previous episode of IE
What are the 5 most common causative organisms of infective endocarditis?
- Streptococcus viridans group
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Streptociccus bovis
- Streptococcus mitis
What can cause a patient with infective endocarditis to have negative blood cultures?
- Starting Abx prior to blood culture collection
- Fastidious or slow growing organisms
- Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis
What is the criteria we use to assess someones risk for infective endocarditis?
Duke Criteria
Why is a viral PCR of CSF needed in suspected meningitis?
Viral and bacterial meningitis is very hard to distinguish between, therefore this is useful.
Why is it important to collect the aerobic bottle for blood culture first?
Because there will be air in the needle that will enter the bottle, so aerobic is needed to be collected first.
What is the first line investigations needed in someone with suspected bacterial endocarditis?
Blood cultures
