Category Abdomen/GIT
Faecal microbiota transplantation for C. difficile infection – real life efficacy and cost effectiveness from John Hunter Hospital
Guest posting: Dr Tom Goodsall, Gastroenterologist, Hunter New England Local Health District Presentation with case reports: Dec 2024 Goodsall FMT at John Hunter Hospital Take home messages FMT is an effective and safe treatment for recurrent or refractory diarrhoea / colitis due to C. difficile FMT is delivered at John Hunter Hospital as a TGA-approved […]
IV amoxycillin+clavulanate available – uses in intra-abdominal infection – new guideline
We’ve previously counselled against augmentin overuse in a number of conditions which did not, however, include intra-abdominal infection where the new availability of an IV preparation offers us a way of reducing the use of the workhorse antibiotic piperacillin+tazobactam. Here is our freshly minted guideline which also provides more explicit advice about short or no […]
Blastocystis- commensal or culprit? Do I really care?
Guest posting from Dr Hema Varadhan, Clinical Microbiologist, Pathology North. This parasite intrigues me every time I validate a faecal PCR result. Why do we see these bugs more often than the others? Do we care? Do we need to treat? The RCPA recently provided relevant guidance concerning Blastocystis and Dientamoeba which is also useful […]
Appendicitis and antibiotics unpacked
Guest posting: Dr Celia Cooper, Paediatric Infectious Diseases & Microbiology, South Australia Pathology, Adelaide Dr Cooper’s recent presentation to the Australian New Zealand Paediatric Infectious Diseases Interest Group in November is provided with her permission. Her presentation highlights important messages: Post-operative antibiotics for patients with non-perforated appendicitis who have acute surgery are unnecessary (refer to IDSA Guidelines […]
Let’s stop using antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis
Guest posting : Dr Daniel Isacson, local GP (ex Swedish researcher) The evidence is out and there is no proven benefit in recovery or complication rates in treating these patients with or without antibiotics, but still many GPs and surgeons prefer to use antibiotics. How do we get the word across?
AIMED - Let's talk about antibiotics 