Evaluation of a Novel Rapid Diagnostic Test for Schistosoma haematobium Based on the Detection of Human Immunoglobulins Bound to Filtered Schistosoma haematobium Eggs

Objectives To determine whether the detection of human IgG bound to Schistosoma haematobium eggs from filtered urine could be used as a rapid diagnostic test (RDT-Sh). Methods We filtered 160 urine samples from children in the Kwale District of Kenya to isolate S.haematobium eggs and used anti-human IgG antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase to bind to the human IgG attached to the eggs. We then added 3,35,5-tetramethylbenzidine base (TMB), which turns blue in the presence of horseradish peroxidase to detect the S.haematobium eggs. The RDT-Sh was compared in a blinded manner to urine microscopy. Results The RDT-Sh was positive in 89% of urine samples containing \u3e1 egg/10ml (58/65 samples) and 97% of urine samples containing \u3e11 eggs/10ml urine (35/36 samples) seen by microscopy. The RDT-Sh was negative 79% of the time when no eggs were seen on urine microscopy, but because up to three times more urine was used for the RDT-Sh, there were likely cases in which eggs were on the RDT-Sh filter but not detected by microscopy. We used latent class analysis incorporating urine microscopy, haematuria, proteinuria and RDT-Sh results to determine an overall 97% sensitivity and 78% specificity for RDT-Sh, 96% and 81% for urine microscopy, 71% and 98% for microscopic haematuria and 46% and 89% for proteinuria, respectively. Conclusions The RDT-Sh is quick, inexpensive and easy to perform in the field for the diagnosis of S.haematobium

Saccharomyces Boulardii and Bismuth Subsalicylate as Low-Cost Interventions to Reduce the Duration and Severity of Cholera

We conducted a randomised single-blinded clinical trial of 100 cholera patients in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to determine if the probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii and the anti-diarrhoeal drug bismuth subsalicylate (BS) were able to reduce the duration and severity of cholera. Subjects received either: S. boulardii 250 mg, S. boulardii 250 mg capsule plus BS 524 mg tablet, BS 524 mg, or two placebo capsules every 6 hours alongside standard treatment for cholera. The length of hospitalisation plus the number and volume of emesis, stool and urine were recorded every 6 hours until the study subject was discharged (n=83), left against medical advice (n=11), or requested removal from the study (n=6). There were no reported deaths or adverse study-related events. There were no statistically significant differences between the study arms and the outcomes of interest

The Role of Purported Mucoprotectants in Dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Functional Diarrhea, and Other Chronic Diarrheal Disorders in Adults

Chronic diarrhea is a frequent presenting symptom, both in primary care medicine and in specialized gastroenterology units. It is estimated that more than 5% of the global population suffers from chronic diarrhea. and that about 40% of these subjects are older than 60 years. The clinician is frequently faced with the need to decide which is the best therapeutic approach for these patients. While the origin of chronic diarrhea is diverse, impairment of intestinal barrier function, dysbiosis. and mucosal micro-inflammation are being increasingly recognized as underlying phenomena characterizing a variety of chronic diarrheal diseases. In addition to current pharmacological therapies, there is growing interest in alternative products such as mucoprotectants, which form a mucoadhesive film over the epithelium to reduce and protect against the development of altered intestinal permeability, dysbiosis, and mucosal micro-inflammation. This manuscript focuses on chronic diarrhea in adults, and we will review recent evidence on the ability of these natural compounds to improve symptoms associated with chronic diarrhea and to exert protective effects for the intestinal barrier

Isolated Proximal Tibiofibular Dislocation during Soccer

Proximal tibiofibular dislocations are rarely encountered in the Emergency Department (ED). We present a case involving a man presenting to the ED with left knee pain after making a sharp left turn on the soccer field. His physical exam was only remarkable for tenderness over the lateral fibular head. His X-rays showed subtle abnormalities of the tibiofibular joint. The dislocation was reduced and the patient was discharged from the ED with orthopedic follow-up

A Tuboovarian Abscess Associated with a Ruptured Spleen

We report the first case of a tuboovarian abscess complicated by a ruptured spleen. Our patient was a 27-year-old female with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who presented to the emergency department (ED) with complaints of urinary symptoms and diarrhea. After being diagnosed with a tuboovarian abscess (TOA), she received antibiotics and was admitted to the gynecology service. Shortly thereafter she developed hemorrhagic shock, necessitating a splenectomy and salpingooophorectomy from a ruptured spleen

A Hiccup in Hiccup Management: Cardiac Arrest from Previously Undiagnosed Congenital Long QT Syndrome

We report the case of a person who went into cardiac arrest after being given chlorpromazine for hiccups and was subsequently diagnosed with congenital Long QT Syndrome. Long QT Syndrome is an uncommon, congenital condition that carries a high risk of sudden cardiac death. Clinicians need to recognize the risk that chlorpromazine may prolong the QTc and prepare to manage potential complications

A Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy Presenting with a Negative Urine Pregnancy Test

A negative urine pregnancy test in the emergency department traditionally excludes the diagnosis of pregnancy. We report a rare case of ruptured ectopic pregnancy in a patient with a negative urine pregnancy test but with a serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) of 10 mIU/mL. The patient developed hemoperitoneum and required laparoscopy by Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/Gyn). This case highlights the fallibility of the urine pregnancy test in diagnosing early pregnancy

Association Between Sexually Transmitted Infections and the Urine Culture

Introduction: Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTI) and some sexually transmitted infections (STI) can have overlapping signs and symptoms or nonspecific findings, such as pyuria on urinalysis. Furthermore, results from the urine culture and the nucleic acid amplification test for an STI may not be available during the clinical encounter. We sought to determine whether gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis are associated with bacteriuria, information that might aid in the differentiation of STIs and UTIs. Methods: We used multinomial logistic regression to analyze 9,650 encounters of female patients whowere aged ≥18 years and who underwent testing for STIs. The ED encounters took place from April 18, 2014–March 7, 2017. We used a multivariable regression analysis to account for patient demographics, urinalysis findings, vaginal wet-mount results, and positive or negative (or no) findings from the urine culture and testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, or Trichomonas vaginalis. Results: In multivariable analysis, infection with T vaginalis, N gonorrhoeae, or C trachomatis was not associated with having a urine culture yielding 10,000 or more colony-forming units per mililiter (CFU/mL) of bacteria compared with a urine culture yielding less than 10,000 CFU/mL or no urine culture obtained. The diagnosis of a UTI in the ED was not associated with having a urine culture yielding 10,000 or more CFU/mL compared with a urine culture yielding less than 10,000 CFU/mL. Conclusion: After adjusting for covariates, no association was observed between urine culture results and testing positive for trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. Our results suggest that having a concurrent STI and bacterial UTI is unlikely