Outline investigations for common bacterial infections?

1. Urinary tract infections (UTIs):
- Collect a urine sample for analysis and culture to identify the causative bacteria.
- Perform a physical examination to check for symptoms such as frequent urination, pain or burning during urination, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
- Consider imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT scan to evaluate the urinary tract for any abnormalities.

2. Skin infections (such as cellulitis or impetigo):
- Take a swab of the affected area for bacterial culture and sensitivity testing.
- Perform a physical examination to assess the extent and severity of the infection.
- Consider blood tests to check for signs of systemic infection or underlying conditions that may predispose to skin infections.

3. Respiratory infections (such as pneumonia or bronchitis):
- Collect a sputum sample for analysis and culture to identify the causative bacteria.
- Perform a chest X-ray to evaluate the lungs for signs of infection.
- Consider blood tests to check for signs of systemic infection and to assess the patient's overall health.

4. Gastrointestinal infections (such as food poisoning or gastroenteritis):
- Take a stool sample for analysis and culture to identify the causative bacteria.
- Perform a physical examination to check for symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- Consider imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT scan to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract for any abnormalities.

5. Sexually transmitted infections (such as chlamydia or gonorrhea):
- Collect samples from the affected area (e.g. genital swabs) for analysis and culture to identify the causative bacteria.
- Perform a physical examination to check for symptoms such as genital discharge, pain or burning during urination, and genital sores or ulcers.
- Consider blood tests to check for signs of systemic infection and to assess the patient's overall health.

Common Bacterial Infections and Investigations

Infection | Investigations
---|---|
Pneumonia | Chest X-ray, sputum culture, blood cultures
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) | Urinalysis, urine culture
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (SSTIs) | Gram stain and culture of wound
Meningitis | Lumbar puncture: CSF analysis, Gram stain, culture
Sepsis | Blood cultures, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein (CRP)
Gastroenteritis | Stool culture, stool antigen detection
Ear Infection (Otitis Media) | Otoscopy, tympanocentesis (if indicated)
Sinusitis | Nasal endoscopy, sinus aspirate (if indicated)
Lyme Disease | ELISA test, Western blot confirmation
Tuberculosis (TB) | Chest X-ray, sputum culture, Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) or interferon gamma release assay (IGRA)

Additional Investigations:

- Imaging: To assess extent and severity of infection, such as CT scan or MRI
- Serology: To detect antibodies indicating past or present infection
- Molecular diagnostics: To identify specific pathogens, such as PCR or gene sequencing
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing: To guide antimicrobial treatment choices

Considerations:

- Patient history and clinical signs can help narrow down the likely pathogens.
- The choice of investigations depends on the suspected site and severity of infection.
- Early and appropriate investigations are crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Infection control measures are essential to prevent transmission.