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This section displays information about clinically important infectious diseases in tabular form. Included in these tables are the Organisms involved in the disease/syndrome listed; Specimens/Diagnostic Tests that are useful in the evaluation; and Comments regarding the tests and diagnoses discussed. Topics are listed by body area/organ system: Central Nervous System, Eye, Ear, Sinus, Upper Airway, Lung, Heart and Vessels, Abdomen, Genitourinary, Bone, Joint, Muscle, Skin, and Blood.
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Thereafter is a short section on emerging and re-emerging pathogens (viral and bacterial) and antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens.
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This column lists organisms that are known to cause the stated illness. Scientific names are abbreviated according to common usage (eg, Streptococcus pneumoniae as S. pneumoniae or pneumococcus) if appropriate. Specific age or risk groups are listed in order of increasing age or frequency (eg, Infant, Child, Adult, HIV).
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When bacteria are listed, Gram stain characteristics follow the organism name in parentheses—eg, "S. pneumoniae (GPDC)." The following abbreviations are used:
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When known, the frequency of the specific organism's involvement in the disease process is also provided in parentheses—eg, "S. pneumoniae (GPDC) (50%)."
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Specimen Collection/Diagnostic Tests
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This column describes the collection of specimens, laboratory processing, useful radiographic procedures, and other diagnostic tests. Culture or test sensitivities with respect to the diagnosis in question are placed in parentheses immediately following the test when known—eg, "Gram stain (60%)." Pertinent serologic tests are also listed. Keep in mind that few infections ...