10 Questions
What type of testing was done on the patient's stool?
Multiplex stool pathogen testing
What does the nucleic acid amplification test assess for?
Many enteropathogens
Can the nucleic acid amplification test distinguish between symptomatic infection and asymptomatic carriage?
No
What makes Giardia duodenalis the most likely active pathogen in this case?
Chronic diarrhea that is noninflammatory
What type of parasite is Giardia duodenalis?
Noninvasive
Why is Giardia duodenalis considered the most likely active pathogen in this case?
The patient has weight loss and chronic diarrhea that is noninflammatory.
What is the limitation of the nucleic acid amplification test used in this case?
It does not distinguish between organisms causing symptomatic infection versus asymptomatic carriage.
Why is the patient's chronic diarrhea described as noninflammatory?
There is no fecal leukocytes present.
What kind of infection does Giardia duodenalis typically cause?
Subacute infection.
Describe the characteristics of Giardia duodenalis as a pathogen.
Giardia duodenalis is a noninvasive parasite.
Study Notes
Patient's Condition
- Patient is experiencing loose stools and weight loss
- Chronic diarrhea, but non-inflammatory (non-bloody, no fecal leukocytes)
Multiplex Stool Pathogen Testing
- Detects multiple enteropathogens with high sensitivity
- Unable to distinguish between symptomatic infection and asymptomatic carriage
Giardia duodenalis (G duodenalis)
- A non-invasive parasite
- Typically causes subacute (medium-term) illness
- Most likely active pathogen in this patient due to symptoms
Nontyphoidal Salmonella
- Detected in the patient's stool sample
- Not considered the primary pathogen due to the patient's symptoms
Learn about a patient with loose stools who underwent multiplex stool pathogen testing revealing nontyphoidal Salmonella and Giardia duodenalis. Understand the challenges of this nucleic acid amplification test in differentiating between symptomatic infection and asymptomatic carriage.
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