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Ch. 18 - Nervous System Infections
Norman-McKay- Microbiology: Basic and Clinical Principles 2nd Edition
Norman-McKay2nd EditionMicrobiology: Basic and Clinical PrinciplesISBN: 9780137661619Non è quello che usi tu?Cambia libro di testo
Capitolo 14, Problema 1

A patient is admitted who is complaining of headache, disorientation, and numbness in his left arm. He was bitten by a raccoon two days before. The FIRST step taken to help this patient would be
a. retrieving and testing the raccoon’s brain tissues for the rabies virus.
b. collecting a CSF sample from the patient.
c. performing a tissue biopsy on the patient to look for Negri bodies.
d. administering an anti-rabies vaccine as well as anti-rabies antibodies.

Guida verificata passo dopo passo
1
Step 1: Recognize the clinical context and urgency. The patient has symptoms (headache, disorientation, numbness) and a history of a raccoon bite, which raises suspicion for rabies infection, a rapidly progressing and fatal disease if untreated.
Step 2: Understand the incubation period and timing. Since the bite occurred two days ago, the virus may still be in the incubation phase, and immediate intervention is critical to prevent disease progression.
Step 3: Evaluate the options for initial management. Testing the raccoon's brain tissue (option a) or collecting CSF (option b) or performing a biopsy (option c) are diagnostic steps but take time and do not provide immediate protection to the patient.
Step 4: Recall that rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) involves prompt administration of the rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin (antibodies) to neutralize the virus before it reaches the central nervous system.
Step 5: Conclude that the first step should be to administer the anti-rabies vaccine and antibodies (option d) immediately to maximize the chance of preventing the disease, while diagnostic steps can be pursued concurrently or afterward.

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Rabies Virus Transmission and Incubation

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, commonly via bites. The incubation period varies but symptoms like headache and neurological signs appear after the virus reaches the central nervous system. Early intervention after exposure is critical to prevent disease progression.
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Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for Rabies

PEP involves immediate administration of the rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin to neutralize the virus before symptoms develop. This treatment is the first and most effective step after a potential rabies exposure, as once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.
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Diagnostic Methods for Rabies

Definitive rabies diagnosis can involve testing animal brain tissue for the virus, detecting Negri bodies in patient tissue, or analyzing cerebrospinal fluid. However, these tests are not immediate treatments and are typically used for confirmation rather than initial management.
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