infection Archives

Latest News: MDR Infection in People - Treatment & Prevention

This refers to individuals currently experiencing illness caused by a microorganism that exhibits resistance to multiple antibiotics or antimicrobial agents. This resistance complicates treatment, as standard medications are ineffective in eradicating the infection. For example, a patient with pneumonia caused by a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to carbapenems would fall under this category.

The presence of such infections represents a significant public health challenge. Treatment options are often limited, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Historically, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics have contributed to the rise and spread of these resistant organisms, underscoring the need for improved antimicrobial stewardship and infection control practices.

Infection PET Scans: What Lights Up? Learn Now!

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans are imaging techniques that utilize radiotracers to detect metabolic activity within the body. Certain infections can induce heightened metabolic activity at the site of infection, leading to increased uptake of the radiotracer. This localized increase in tracer concentration can then be visualized on the PET scan as an area of increased signal intensity.

The ability to visualize areas of inflammation and infection offers a significant diagnostic advantage. It assists in identifying the location and extent of infectious processes, which is particularly valuable when standard imaging modalities are inconclusive. Furthermore, it allows for monitoring the response to treatment and distinguishing between active infection and sterile inflammation. While not solely employed for infection diagnosis, it provides critical information alongside other clinical and laboratory findings. Historically, its use in infectious disease was limited, but advancements in radiotracer development and imaging technology have broadened its applications.