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Latent Tuberculosis
Latent tuberculosis (LTB), also called latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is when a person is infected with ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'', but does not have active tuberculosis. Active tuberculosis can be contagious while latent tuberculosis is not, and it is therefore not possible to get TB from someone with latent tuberculosis. The main risk is that approximately 10% of these people (5% in the first two years after infection and 0.1% per year thereafter) will go on to develop active tuberculosis. This is particularly true, and there is added risk, in particular situations such as medication that suppresses the immune system or advancing age. The identification and treatment of people with latent TB is an important part of controlling this disease. Various treatment regimens are in use for latent tuberculosis. They generally need to be taken for several months. Transmission Latent disease ''"TB Bacteria Are Spread Only from a Person with Active TB Disease ... In people ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Infectious Disease (medical Specialty)
Infectious diseases or ID, also known as infectiology, is a medical specialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of infections. An infectious diseases specialist's practice consists of managing nosocomial ( healthcare-acquired) infections or community-acquired infections and is historically associated with hygiene, epidemiology, clinical microbiology, travel medicine and tropical medicine. Scope Infectious diseases specialists typically serve as consultants to other physicians in cases of complex infections, and often manage patients with HIV/AIDS and other forms of immunodeficiency. Although many common infections are treated by physicians without formal expertise in infectious diseases, specialists may be consulted for cases where an infection is difficult to diagnose or manage. They may also be asked to help determine the cause of a fever of unknown origin. Specialists in infectious diseases can practice both in hospitals (inpatient) and clinics (outpatient). In hospital ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
ESAT-6
ESAT-6 or Early Secreted Antigenic Target 6 kDa, is produced by ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'', it is a secretory protein and potent T cell antigen. It is used in tuberculosis diagnosis by the whole blood interferon γ test QuantiFERON-TB Gold, in conjunction with CFP-10 and TB7.7. ESAT-6 has been shown to directly bind to the TLR2 receptor, inhibiting downstream signal transduction. It has also been studied that the inactivation of ESAT-6 leads to decreased virulence of ''M. Tuberculosis''. Secretion of the ESAT-6 protein is one of the main determining factors in the virulence of the ''M. Tuberculosis.'' ESAT-6 has more commonly become a marker for the TB diagnosis and treatment. There is also the use of the ESAT increase the production of virulent factors that cause for the increase in pathogenicity of TB. ESAT-6 is one of the main proteins that is inhibited in the production of vaccines for ''M. Tuberculosis'' with the combination of the increased antigenic factors agβ5-A a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Interferon-γ Release Assays
Interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) are medical tests used in the diagnosis of some infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release assays rely on the fact that T-lymphocytes will release IFN-γ when exposed to specific antigens. These tests are mostly developed for the field of tuberculosis diagnosis, but in theory, may be used in the diagnosis of other diseases which rely on cell-mediated immunity, e.g. cytomegalovirus and leishmaniasis. For example, in patients with cutaneous adverse drug reactions, challenge of peripheral blood lymphocytes with the drug causing the reaction produced a positive test result for half of the drugs tested. There are currently two IFN-γ release assays available for the diagnosis of tuberculosis: * QuantiFERON-TB Gold (licensed in US, Europe and Japan); and * T-SPOT.TB, a form of ELISpot, the variant of ELISA (licensed in Europe, US, Japan and China). The former test quantitates the amount of IFN-γ produced in response ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Immunosuppressive Drugs
Immunosuppressive drugs, also known as immunosuppressive agents, immunosuppressants and antirejection medications, are medication, drugs that inhibit or prevent activity of the immune system. Classification Immunosuppressive drugs can be classified into five groups: * #Glucocorticoids, glucocorticoids * #Cytostatics, cytostatics * #Antibodies, antibodies * #Drugs acting on immunophilins, drugs acting on immunophilins * #Other drugs, other drugs Glucocorticoids In pharmacologic (supraphysiologic) doses, glucocorticoids, such as prednisone, dexamethasone, and hydrocortisone are used to suppress various allergy, allergic, inflammation, inflammatory, and autoimmune disorders. They are also administered as posttransplantory immunosuppressants to prevent the transplant rejection, acute transplant rejection and graft-versus-host disease. Nevertheless, they do not prevent an infection and also inhibit later tissue reparation, reparative processes. Immunosuppressive mechanism Glucoc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bacille Calmette-Guérin
Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is a vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis (TB). It is named after its inventors Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin. In countries where tuberculosis or leprosy is common, one dose is recommended in healthy babies as soon after birth as possible. In areas where tuberculosis is not common, only children at high risk are typically immunized, while suspected cases of tuberculosis are individually tested for and treated. Adults who do not have tuberculosis and have not been previously immunized, but are frequently exposed, may be immunized, as well. BCG also has some effectiveness against Buruli ulcer infection and other nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. Additionally, it is sometimes used as part of the treatment of bladder cancer. Rates of protection against tuberculosis infection vary widely and protection lasts up to 20 years. Among children, it prevents about 20% from getting infected and among those who do get infected, it ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Interferon Gamma Release Assay
Interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) are medical tests used in the diagnosis of some infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release assays rely on the fact that T-lymphocytes will release IFN-γ when exposed to specific antigens. These tests are mostly developed for the field of tuberculosis diagnosis, but in theory, may be used in the diagnosis of other diseases which rely on cell-mediated immunity, e.g. cytomegalovirus and leishmaniasis. For example, in patients with cutaneous adverse drug reactions, challenge of peripheral blood lymphocytes with the drug causing the reaction produced a positive test result for half of the drugs tested. There are currently two IFN-γ release assays available for the diagnosis of tuberculosis: * QuantiFERON-TB Gold (licensed in US, Europe and Japan); and * T-SPOT.TB, a form of ELISpot, the variant of ELISA (licensed in Europe, US, Japan and China). The former test quantitates the amount of IFN-γ produced in response ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ulcer (dermatology)
An ulcer is a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane, accompanied by the disintegration of tissue. Ulcers can result in complete loss of the epidermis and often portions of the dermis and even subcutaneous fat. Ulcers are most common on the skin of the lower extremities and in the gastrointestinal tract. An ulcer that appears on the skin is often visible as an inflamed tissue with an area of reddened skin. A skin ulcer is often visible in the event of exposure to heat or cold, irritation, or a problem with blood circulation. They can also be caused due to a lack of mobility, which causes prolonged pressure on the tissues. This stress in the blood circulation is transformed to a skin ulcer, commonly known as bedsores or decubitus ulcers. Ulcers often become infected, and pus forms. Signs and symptoms Skin ulcers appear as open craters, often round, with layers of skin that have eroded. The skin around the ulcer may be red, swollen, and tender. Patients may feel pain on the skin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Transverse Plane
The transverse plane (also known as the horizontal plane, axial plane and transaxial plane) is an anatomical plane that divides the body into Anatomical terms of location#Superior and inferior, superior and inferior sections. It is perpendicular to the coronal plane, coronal and sagittal plane, sagittal planes. List of clinically relevant anatomical planes * Transverse ''thoracic plane'' * ''Xiphosternal plane'' (or xiphosternal junction) * ''Transpyloric plane'' * ''Subcostal plane'' * ''Umbilical plane'' (or transumbilical plane) * ''Supracristal plane'' * ''Intertubercular plane'' (or transtubercular plane) * ''Interspinous plane'' Clinically relevant anatomical planes with associated structures * The transverse ''thoracic plane'' ** Plane through T4 & T5 vertebral junction and Sternal angle, sternal angle of Louis. ** Marks the: *** Attachment of costal cartilage of rib 2 at the sternal angle; *** Aortic arch (beginning and end); *** Upper margin of Superior vena cava, SVC ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Erythema
Erythema (from the Greek , meaning red) is redness of the skin or mucous membranes, caused by hyperemia (increased blood flow) in superficial capillaries. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation. Examples of erythema not associated with pathology include nervous blushes. Types * Erythema ab igne * Erythema chronicum migrans * Erythema induratum * Erythema infectiosum (or fifth disease) * Erythema marginatum * Erythema migrans * Erythema multiforme (EM) * Erythema nodosum * Erythema toxicum * Erythema elevatum diutinum * Erythema gyratum repens * Keratolytic winter erythema * Palmar erythema Causes It can be caused by infection, massage, electrical treatment, acne medication, allergies, exercise, solar radiation (sunburn), photosensitization, acute radiation syndrome, mercury toxicity, blister agents, niacin administration, or waxing and tweezing of the hairs—any of which can cause the capillaries to dilate, resulting in redness. Erythema is a common sid ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Induration
A skin condition, also known as cutaneous condition, is any medical condition that affects the integumentary system—the organ system that encloses the body and includes skin, nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function of this system is as a barrier against the external environment. Conditions of the human integumentary system constitute a broad spectrum of diseases, also known as dermatoses, as well as many nonpathologic states (like, in certain circumstances, melanonychia and racquet nails). While only a small number of skin diseases account for most visits to the physician, thousands of skin conditions have been described. Classification of these conditions often presents many nosological challenges, since underlying causes and pathogenetics are often not known. Therefore, most current textbooks present a classification based on location (for example, conditions of the mucous membrane), morphology ( chronic blistering conditions), cause (skin conditions result ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Subcutaneous Injection
Subcutaneous administration is the insertion of medications beneath the skin either by injection or infusion. A subcutaneous injection is administered as a bolus into the subcutis, the layer of skin directly below the dermis and epidermis, collectively referred to as the cutis. The instruments are usually a hypodermic needle and a syringe. Subcutaneous injections are highly effective in administering medications such as insulin, morphine, diacetylmorphine and goserelin. Subcutaneous administration may be abbreviated as SC, SQ, subcu, sub-Q, SubQ, or subcut. Subcut is the preferred abbreviation to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and potential errors. Subcutaneous tissue has few blood vessels and so drugs injected here are for slow, sustained rates of absorption, often with some amount of depot effect. Compared with other routes of administration, it is slower than intramuscular injections but still faster than intradermal injections. Subcutaneous infusion (as opposed ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
