Disease Index

What is Congenital rubella syndrome? Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is a major complication of rubella infection. Rubella infection is caused by a togavirus of the genus rubivirus and it is usually a mild viral infection. The disease is characterized by a transient, mild maculopapular rash, conjunctivitis, coryza (running nose), enlarged cervical lymph nodes, low-grade fever and nausea. […]

Code of Ethics for International Trade in Food Including Concessional and Food Aid Transactions (CAC RCP 20-1979) Code of Hygienic Practice for Aseptically Processed and Packaged Low-Acid Foods (CAC RCP 40-1993) Code of Hygienic Practice for Low and Acidified Low Acid Canned Foods (CAC RCP 23-1979) Code of Hygienic Practice for Low-Moisture Foods (CAC RCP

What is a Clostridium difficile infection? Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of nosocomial-associated gastrointestinal illness including self-limited diarrhoeal disease, pseudomembranous colitis and fatal toxic megacolon. C. difficile is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacillus. It produces A (enterotoxin) and B (cytoxoin) toxins that cause disease. The organism is part of the normal flora of the human

What is Cholera? Cholera is a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water. Cholera causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration. Left untreated, cholera can be fatal in a matter of hours, even in previously healthy people. Most people exposed to the cholera bacterium (Vibrio cholerae) don’t become ill and never know they’ve been infected. Yet because

What is Chikungunya? Chikungunya virus, also referred to as chikungunya fever, is a viral disease transmitted to humans through infected mosquitos (mosquito-borne infection). Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections. Symptoms Symptoms have been known to manifest with three to seven days after being bitten

What is Chickenpox? Chickenpox is an airborne and highly contagious infectious disease characterised by fever and a blister-like, itchy rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). A person of any age can contract chickenpox and it is a potentially serious disease when it occurs in babies, adolescents, adults, women are pregnant, and people with compromised immune

What are Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE)?  Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) that contain enzymes called carbapenemases (e.g. NDM, VIM, IMP, OXA-48, KPC and GES). These enzymes break down the antibiotics and prevent them from killing the bacteria. Examples of carbapenem antibiotics are ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem and doripenem and these are sometimes referred to as a last line

What is Carbapenamase Resistant Infection? More information to come.

What is Carbapenem–resistant bacteria? Carbapenem–resistant bacteria are resistant to carbapenem antibiotics. These Gram-negative bacteria are usually from the genera known as Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Escherichia, but other genera also become resistant to carbapenems. Bacteria are highly adaptive organisms. Carbapenem antibiotics are broad-spectrum beta-lactam-type antibiotics that are especially effective against Gram-negative bacteria. Carbapenem antibiotics were introduced in the early

What are Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)?  Carbapenem–resistant Enterobacteriaceae are bacteria that are resistant to the carbapenem group of antibiotics (i.e. ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem and doripenem). These Gram-negative bacteria are usually from the genera called Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia, Shigella, Proteus and Serratia. Other bacteria can also become resistant to carbapenems, for example, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas. Bacteria are highly adaptive organisms.