T103. Case Presentations in Pediatric Infectious Diseases: Focus on Bacterial Agents Causing Invasive Infections
Date: October 20, 2010
Speaker: Mario Marcon

Summary of Session: This session will utilize the case presentation format to review the microbiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, and laboratory diagnosis of select bacterial agents causing invasive infectious diseases in pediatric patients. Invasive bacterial infections by their very nature involve deep organ systems rather than superficial cutaneous or mucosal sites. They often disrupt normal organ system physiology at the site of infection and may be associated with systemic manifestations due to dissemination of the organism via the blood stream or lymphatics or by the release of toxins or other products. Such infections are often associated with high morbidity and mortality. Thus rapid specific diagnosis is important for appropriate management and antimicrobial therapy.

Objectives: Upon completion of this Teleconference, participants should be able to:

• List important variables relating to specimen collection, transport and initial processing which may increase diagnostic yield for the infectious agents discussed.
• Define the anatomy of the primary organ system and mechanism of disease involved in the infections discussed.
• Describe the epidemiology, microbiology, and taxonomy of the organisms discussed.
• Understand the various laboratory tests available for rapid and specific diagnosis as well as their limitations for the infectious agents discussed.

Intended Audience: This teleconference is intended for Clinical and public health laboratory directors, supervisors, and technologists; Division C.

CME Disclosures: The Presenter has nothing to disclose.

Termination of CME Credit: This program will not be eligible for CME credit after October 20, 2011