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Shigella and E. coli

Shigella and E. coli
by Daniel Keays

It's not unusual to hear about an outbreak of E. coli, often in a restaurant or a food product. But not all strains of E. coli can induce disease. In fact, most do not. We all have E. coli residing in high numbers in our bowel. But we can sometimes encounter a strain of E. coli that can produce severe disease because of a toxin it produces.

Pertussis

Pertussis
by Daniel Keays

Pertussis, commonly called whooping cough, is an upper respiratory inffection caused by a bacterium, as opposed the usual virus. For most of those infected it presents as a bad cold. But infected babies and toddlers often experience severe, sometimes fatal, disease.

Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic Resistance
by Daniel Keays

Infectious bacteria that have developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics are increasing at an alarming rate, threatening the health of millions of people. 

Giardiasis

Giardiasis
by Daniel Keays

The parasite Giardia can cause an upheaval in our intestinal tract for a prolonged period of time, resulting in weight loss and discomfort. But some of those infected feel no discomfort whatsoever. It's a true conundrum: Infection or inconsequential commensal? 

Shingles

Shingles
by Daniel Keays

The herpes family of viruses is intriguing. When most people hear the word herpes, they immediately think of a skin infection, either around the mouth or the genitalia. But the herpes viruses are a broad group with 9 specific members. One of them is known as varicella-zoster, the virus that causes both chickenpox and shingles.

RSV

by Daniel Keays

RSV for most of us is not a major problem. But for those at the very young and some of the old it can be extremely dangerous, even fatal. The interaction of the immune system and the eradication of the virus is profoundly varied in different age populations.

Dengue

Dengue
by Daniel Keays

Infectious diseases once mainly confined to tropical areas are now being seen in wider geographic locations. Illnesses such as Zika, West Nile, malaria, and Dengue are being diagnosed with increasing frequency around the world. Two important reasons are the changes in global temperatures and international travel. Dengue is a particularly worrisome ailment, as it is spread by a mosquito that is significantly expanding its habitat.

Listeriosis

Listeriosis
by Daniel Keays
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that has been implicated in severe food-borne outbreaks. Traditionally associated with contaminated dairy products and perinatal and neonatal infections, many of the diseases noted recently have been found in people with compromised immune systems. Often the food product is not dairy, but fresh produce. The organism has a unique ability to adapt itself from an external environment to one inside an animal cell. 

Typhoid Mary

by Daniel Keays

The science of epidemiology, the study of the spread of diseases, is a vital part of our understanding and control of infectious diseases. A moniker that comes up from time to time, usually in a pejorative sense, is "Typhoid Mary." Many don't realize that she was a real person who had a fascinating history that was a significant contributor to the establishment of the study of epidemics.

Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease
by Daniel Keays

Lyme Disease, caused by a bacterium and spread by a tick, is an ailment seen mostly in the summer months. The interactions between pathogen and the components of the immune system is fascinating. Sadly, accurate diagnosis and successful therapy are often challenging.

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