What is Listeriosis? Listeriosis is a serious bacterial disease caused by the Gram-positive, rod shaped bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes. The bacterium is widely distributed in nature and can be found in soil, water and contaminated food. Animals and food products such as vegetables can become contaminated from these sources. Infection with Listeria usually results in gastroenteritis […]
What is Lice? Lice is an infection of the hair and skin of humans with arthropods (insects) called Pediculus capitis (head lice), Pediculus humanus (body), and Phthiris pubis (pubic lice). Head and body lice have slightly different appearances when viewed under a microscope, and display different behaviour patterns, but are genetically identical. Head lice lay nits on the shaft of hair
What is Leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira species. Leptospira are spirochetes (helically-wound bacteria) that cause infection in animals, and are carried asymptomatically by rodents, especially rats. When humans are infected, clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic or mildly febrile illness (90% of cases) to severe leptospirosis or life-threatening (10% of cases). Complicated leptospirosis is also
What is Legionella? Legionella bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionnaires’ disease. The bacteria can also cause a less serious illness called Pontiac fever. Legionnaires’ disease is recognised worldwide as an important cause of both community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Legionella bacteria are common and can be found naturally in environmental water sources,
What is Lassa Fever? Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness that was first discovered in 1969 when two missionary nurses died from the illness in the Nigerian town of Lassa. The Lassa virus is a zoonotic or animal-borne virus and the animal vector is the “multimammate rat” (Mastomys natalensis). The virus is a single-stranded
What is Klebsiella pneumoniae? Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacteria that is commonly found in the gut of humans and can cause a variety of infections such as skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), meningitis, pneumonia and bloodstream infections in both community and hospital settings (refer to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)). This bacterium can
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What is Rift Valley Fever? Rift Valley fever is a disease which is spread to sheep, cattle and goats by mosquitoes, and it causes abortion and death of the animals. Humans become infected from handling sick animals, carcasses or meat, or less often from mosquito bites. The disease does not spread from one person to
What are hospital infection outbreaks? The definition of a healthcare-acquired-infection (HAI) is clinically-evident infection 48 hours after the admission to the healthcare facility. HAIs are the leading causes of illness and death amongst hospitalised patients. A growing number of patients admitted to acute care hospitals acquire one of more HAIs during their stay. Outbreaks of
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What is HIV? HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus spread through certain body fluids that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, often called T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. These special cells help the immune system
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