Should we worry about the 'flesh-eating killer bug'?
Conclusion
Unlike in the BBC 4 drama, "Cordon", it's unlikely that the streets will be barricaded because of an outbreak of this deadly infection featured in today's news.
The study behind the headlines looked at genetic changes over time within the emm89 form of group A streptococcus bacteria. It found a new form emerged that has become more common over time, and identified the genetic changes that may have contributed to this rise.
This type of study is useful for researchers to look at how infectious organisms change over time and become more successful. It can help researchers track the spread of different f...
Source: NHS News Feed - July 15, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: QA articles Source Type: news
Surge in new strain of flesh-eating bug across the world
In severe cases, the form of group A streptococcus bacteria can cause necrotising fasciitis - the 'flesh eating' condition which destroys body tissue - pneumonia and blood poisoning. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - July 14, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Does Your “Backup” Method Have Your Back? Controversies Surrounding Backup of Rapid Antigen Detection Methods for Group A
Accurate diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis followed by appropriate antibiotic therapy is important for the prevention and control of group A streptococcus (GAS) infection and its sequelae. Rapid antigen detection methods (RADTs) for detection of GAS antigen are commonly used to speed the diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis; however, reports of false-negative antigen tests are common. In this review, we describe the conflicting strategies that surround GAS testing and reflexive backup testing for samples found to be negative for Streptococcus pyogenes antigen. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - July 8, 2015 Category: Microbiology Authors: Diana R. Hernandez, Donna M. Wolk Source Type: news
Toxic Shock Syndrome: Symptoms, Treatment & Outlook
Toxic shock syndrome is a rare and life-threatening complication of some types of bacterial infections. Often times, toxic shock syndrome results from toxins produced Staphylococcus aureus or, 'staph,' bacteria. The condition might also be caused by toxins produced by group A streptococcus or, 'strep,' bacteria. The syndrome historically has been associated with the use of superabsorbent tampons. (Source: Disabled World)
Source: Disabled World - April 23, 2015 Category: Disability Tags: Health and Disability Source Type: news
Rapid Group A Strep Test Clears FDARapid Group A Strep Test Clears FDA
The Alere i Strep A test (Alere Inc) is the first molecular test that detects group A streptococcus bacteria in throat swab specimens in 8 minutes or less. FDA Approvals (Source: Medscape Infectious Diseases Headlines)
Source: Medscape Infectious Diseases Headlines - April 3, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: Infectious Diseases News Alert Source Type: news
F. necrophorum More Common Than Group A Strep in Young Adults with Pharyngitis (FREE)
By Amy Orciari Herman
Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Jaye Elizabeth Hefner, MD
In young adults presenting with pharyngitis, Fusobacterium necrophorum is twice as common as group A streptococcus, according to a single-center study in … (Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)
Source: Physician's First Watch current issue - February 17, 2015 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
Group A Strep (GAS) Infection
Group A Strep (GAS) (Source: eMedicineHealth.com)
Source: eMedicineHealth.com - January 20, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Source Type: news
Quidel Receives Simultaneous FDA Clearance And CLIA Waiver For Its Sofia® Strep A+ Fluorescent Immunoassay (FIA) Via The FDA's New Dual Submission Program
Quidel Corporation (NASDAQ: QDEL), a provider of rapid diagnostic testing solutions, cell-based virology assays and molecular diagnostic systems, announced today that it has received marketing clearance and CLIA waiver by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Sofia Strep A+ Fluorescent Immunoassay (FIA) for the rapid detection of infections by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. (Source: Medical Design Online News)
Source: Medical Design Online News - December 22, 2014 Category: Medical Equipment Source Type: news
From strep throat to RSV: Winter health cheat sheet
According to this study published in Pediatrics, vapor rub can be effective in decreasing nighttime cough. Please note that some children may experience skin irritation. Vapor rub is not recommended for children under the age of 2.
Keep the nasal passages as clear of excess mucous as you can.
Elevate the head when sleeping to help support comfortable breathing.
Keep a close eye on your child’s breathing.
Notify your pediatric health care providers of any changes in your child’s condition.
You should notify your pediatrician or call 911 immediately if your child displays signs of respiratory distress such as:
rapid br...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 4, 2014 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Meaghan O'Keeffe Tags: All posts Source Type: news
Roche Receives FDA Clearance for Strep A Test on cobas Liat System
Roche today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided 510(k) clearance for the cobas Strep A test for the detection of group A streptococcus bacterial (Strep A) DNA in throat swab specimens. The cobas Strep A test runs on the cobas Liat System, a molecular point of care diagnostic system, which will be launched later this year. With a time to result of just 15 minutes, the cobas Strep A test achieves outstanding sensitivity aiding healthcare professionals to make immediate, informed treatment decisions in a variety of testing locations. (Source: Roche Investor Update)
Source: Roche Investor Update - November 13, 2014 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news
Roche Receives FDA Clearance for Strep A Test on cobas Liat System
Roche today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided 510(k) clearance for the cobas Strep A test for the detection of group A streptococcus bacterial (Strep A) DNA in throat swab specimens. The cobas Strep A test runs on the cobas Liat System, a molecular point of care diagnostic system, which will be launched later this year. With a time to result of just 15 minutes, the cobas Strep A test achieves outstanding sensitivity aiding healthcare professionals to make immediate, informed treatment decisions in a variety of testing locations. (Source: Roche Media News)
Source: Roche Media News - November 13, 2014 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news
Quidel Receives FDA Clearance for Its Hand-Held Molecular Diagnostic Test for Group A Strep
SAN DIEGO, CA--(Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network) - Quidel Corporation (NASDAQ: QDEL), a provider of rapid diagnostic testing solutions, cellular-based virology assays and molecular diagnostic systems, announced today that it has received clearance fro... Diagnostics, FDAQuidel, AmpliVue, Streptococcus (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)
Source: HSMN NewsFeed - July 28, 2014 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news
Featured in NEJM Journal Watch: Invasive Group A Streptococcus Infections Linked to Outpatient Liposuction (FREE)
By the NEJM Journal Watch Editors
An outbreak of invasive group A Streptococcus infection involved 13 … (Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)
Source: Physician's First Watch current issue - July 14, 2014 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
Call to tackle maternal blood infection risk
ConclusionThis comprehensive study highlights several areas where awareness of the risks of sepsis in pregnancy should be increased in both primary and secondary care. These include: If there is clinical suspicion of infection with group A streptococcus, then urgent action should be taken. There should be increased care given to pregnant women and women who have just given birth who have a suspected infection. High-dose intravenous antibiotics should be given within one hour of admission for suspected sepsis. Vigilant infection control measures should be employed during vaginal delivery. Despite antibiotics ...
Source: NHS News Feed - July 9, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pregnancy/child Source Type: news
Key step toward a safer strep vaccine
The genes encoding a molecule that famously defines Group A Streptococcus (strep), a pathogenic bacterial species responsible for more than 700 million infections worldwide each year, has been identified by an international team of scientists. Efforts to develop such a vaccine have been significantly hindered by complexities in how the human immune system reacts to the bacterial pathogen. Specifically, some patients with strep infections produce antibodies that cross-react with their own heart valve tissue, leading to rheumatic fever and heart damage. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - June 11, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news
