Haematology
Febrile Neutropenia
Introduction Definition: Febrile neutropenia is the presence of a fever > 38oC and with an absolute neutrophil count of <1.0x109/L [1] Note that in many hospital policies, patients may be considered to…
Giardia Lamblia
Giardiasis
Introduction Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine (duodenum and jejunum) caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia. It can affect humans and animals. It can cause chronic diarrhoea and malabsorption. Giardia exists…
A gram stain showing both gram positive cocci (staphylococci) and gram negative bacilli (E. coli). This file is taken from wikimedia commons and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Gram Negative Bacteria
Gram Staining Gram staining is a method of staining used to classify bacteria into two main categories; gram-positive and gram-negative. It was developed by the Danish scientist Hans Christian Gram in…
Streptococcus. Image from the wellcome collection. Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) terms and conditions
Gram Positive Bacteria
Gram Staining Gram staining is a method of staining used to classify bacteria into two main categories; gram-positive and gram-negative. It was developed by the Danish scientist Hans Christian Gram in…
Electron micrograph of hepatitis A virions.
Hepatitis A
Aetiology and Epidemiology Hepatitis A is most common hepatitis virus. It is often seen in epidemics (usually in children), and most commonly occurs in the autumn Often found in communities…
Hepatitis B virus - showing the important constituent parts
Hepatitis B
Introduction Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver, caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is the most common cause of hepatitis worldwide, and there are believed to…
Structure of a hepatitis C virus. Image by Guido4 and used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Hepatitis C
Introduction First discovered in 1989, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is blood-borne form of viral hepatitis. The incubation period is 6-9 weeks. Transmission is usually via blood products or vertical…
The hepatitis D virus
Hepatitis D
Overview Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a virus that requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication - and as such it is only possible to contract HDV if you…
Electron microscope image of hepatitis E virions
Hepatitis E
Introduction Hepatits E is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is clinically similar to Hepatitis A. Many cases are asymptomatic. There are…
Herpes Simplex around the mouth. This file is taken from wikimedia commons and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Herpes Simplex
Introduction Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is transmitted by direct skin to skin contact. There are two types of herpes simplex virus: Type I – usually causes oral lesions, but can…