Describe the etiology, epidemiology, signs and symptoms, and complications of streptococcal infections
Explain when rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis typically follow streptococcal infections
Describe how streptococcal infections activate the immune system and what are the immunological effects of the activation.
Explain the serological results that are evident when an individual is diagnosed with rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis.
Describe the basic process for diagnosis streptococcal pharyngitis from initial throat specimen to when serology would be important.
Briefly introduce the infectious agent and the disease signs and symptoms related to the assigned topic and explain why serology is used for diagnosis in comparison to other available testing methods. Identify one serological based assay that is useful in the diagnosis of the disease and explain the basics of the method (how it works, not a step by step procedure), the limitations and the interpretation as well as the clinical relevance (is it diagnostic of the disease or a screening test).
a) Glomerulonephritis
b) Rheumatic fever
Sample Solution