Expert review of anti-infective therapy
-
Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther · Feb 2011
ReviewHome versus clinic-based specimen collection for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health concern that must be addressed with innovative screening methods to supplement traditional approaches. Home-based screening with self-collected urine or vaginal specimens is a highly feasible and acceptable method, and shows promise in improving STI screening rates in both men and women. Home collection kits have been offered in a variety of settings, with results ranging from very modest improvements in screening rates to 100-fold increases beyond the rates observed with clinic-based screening. This article describes and evaluates the effectiveness and limitations of various home screening strategies used for the detection of STIs.
-
Necrobacillosis, often used synonymously with Lemierre's syndrome, is a form of abscess infection in the peritonsillar area associated with a thrombophlebitis and caused by the strict anaerobic species Fusobacterium necrophorum. The thrombosis formed affects the internal jugular vein, from which the bacteria are seeded out in the bloodstream and cause bacteremia. Septicemia is a common complication with an often fatal outcome. ⋯ Diagnosis of infections of the necrobacillosis complex seeks to disclose F. necrophorum in swab samples or blood culture. The most commonly used therapy is metronidazole in combination with penicillin or amoxicillin. Clindamycin is also an option, especially in cases of penicillin allergy.