How to Calculate the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)

HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES

See this page from Washington University to see sample values. They also show a method to calculate it which is accurate but I find is not intuitive. See page here: HowtoCalculateANC The following intuitive formula gives an easy way to calculate the ANC. To find out...

Following Nontreponemal test (RPR or VDRL) titers

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

“Nontreponemal test antibody titers might correlate with disease activity and are used to follow treatment response. Results should be reported quantitatively. A fourfold change in titer, equivalent to a change of two dilutions (e.g., from 1:16 to 1:4 or from...

Causes of False-Positive Nontreponemal (RPR or VRDL) tests

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

False-positive nontreponemal test results can be associated with various medical conditions and factors unrelated to syphilis, including: Other infections (e.g., HIV), Autoimmune conditions, Immunizations, Pregnancy, injection-drug use, Older age. Therefore, persons...

STI Screening Recommendations

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

From CDC.gov “All adults and adolescents from ages 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV. Annual chlamydia screening of all sexually active women younger than 25 years, as well as older women with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a...

Sample Bronchiolitis Patient

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

5-week old male, ex 37-week male, with a cough and congestion for 3 days PTA. The patient developed decreased PO and difficulty breathing so was brought to our ED. In the hospital, the patient developed respiratory distress, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, hypoxia. He had...

Direct Observational Therapy (DOT)

INFECTIOUS DISEASES, Pharmacy and Therapeutics

Benefits of DOT are that it has been shown to: Decrease both the acquisition and transmission of drug-resistant tuberculosis, and Increase treatment success in HIV-positive patients     Further Reading Clin Infect Dis. 2016 Oct 1;63(7):e147-e195. Official...