Reference no: EM133283034
Assignment - Microbiology Case Study
Case 1 - A 22-year old female automotive technician presents herself at the doctor's office. She complains of fever and of pain in her left hand. On physical examination, the patient had a deep wound on her left palm that was oozing pus. She had purplish, red streaks running up her left arm. She had enlarged lymph nodes at the elbow and under her arm. The patient's skin was warm and dry.
In her history, the patient had punctured her left palm with sharp metal from the undercarriage of a "real cherry" 1977 Malibu about a week earlier. She said the wound had bled for a few minutes and she thought that she had washed it "real good" with soap and water. She had covered the wound with a large "Band-Aid" and gone back to work. She developed a fever about three days later. For the past couple of days, she "did not feel so good" and had vomiting and diarrhea.
1. What type of infection/illness do you believe the patient has?
2. What Type of treatment would you give the patient?
3. How did you come to that conclusion? According to the symptoms.
4. From the history, which of the information confirmed your choice?
Case 2 - A 25-year old white female presented at the walking clinic of her local physician on August 15. On physical exam, the patient had a fever of 38.5C. She appeared fatigued, had tender joints, and complained of a headache, a stiff neck and a backache. The physician noticed a circular "rash" about 5 inches in diameter, with a bright red leading edge and a dim center in the form of a "bull's eye". The physician noted an irregular heartbeat. The patient complained of lack of ability to concentrate.
The patient gave the following history: She is a graduate student in the wildlife program at the university in town. She was in the field for three weeks in Wisconsin during the months of May and June. She tracks small mammals in the field and studies their behavior. lt had been a warm, wet spring and she complained of a large number of biting flies, mosquitoes and ticks in the area.
She felt well until about 2 weeks after returning to her home. Since that time, many of her symptoms had progressed. She finally found that she could take it no more.
1. What type of infection/illness do you believe the patient has?
2. What Type of treatment would you give the patient?
3. How did you come to that conclusion? According to the symptoms.
4. From the history, which of the information confirmed your choice?