A diagnostic hypothesis for a suspected central nervous system (CNS) infection has two components: an anatomic and a microbiologic or etiologic diagnosis. The anatomic diagnosis localizes the inflammation to a specific part of the CNS. The microbiologic or etiologic diagnosis…
Infectious Arthritis Infectious arthritis is defined as infection of one or more joints. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Acute Bacterial Arthritis Introduction Native joint septic arthritis is an uncommon illness, with a reported incidence in…
Introduction Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are among the most commonly occurring bacterial infections, and their frequency approaches 10% of hospital admissions for infections in the United States. Many factors contribute to the increase in awareness of SSTIs: the…
Introduction Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infectious diseases, both in ambulatory and hospital settings, and is a major cause of antimicrobial use. This is especially relevant in the era of increasing antimicrobial resistance, and in…
Esophagitis Esophagitis is an inflammatory mucosal injury disorder that may be caused by infectious agents and local irritants. The inflammation may present with substernal pain, odynophagia, and occasionally dysphagia. The risk factors for esophageal inflammatory disorders may be iatrogenic (i.e.,…
Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are among the most frequently encountered and difficult to diagnose infectious syndromes. Symptoms of most LRTIs overlap with other clinical conditions, such as congestive heart failure and obstructive lung disease, such asthma and chronic obstructive…
Infections of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) run the gamut from annoying but relatively harmless otitis externa to life-threatening infections of the airway. Despite the broad array of syndromes, most of these share a common set of pathogens and…
Overview Generalized rashes with fever are among the most frequent conditions seen by primary care physicians, and are a common reason for patient visits to the emergency department and dermatologists. The majority of cases do not represent an immediate danger,…
Introduction Fever is a common complaint encountered by primary caregivers, internists, and surgeons. We all experience fever throughout our lives, and although frequently the cause of fever is never explained, few of us experience a true “classic” fever of unknown…
Introduction The serendipitous discovery of penicillin by Sir Alexander Fleming in 1928 was one of the greatest medical advances of the 20th century and marks the beginning of the antibiotic era. The term antibiotic originated with Selman Waksman in 1941,…