Here at Fleet Street Clinic, we have had many stool samples come through our laboratory. One recent clinical case using our in-house Full Gastrointestinal PCR Panel, presented unprecedented results.

Patient overview:

• 51-year-old patient
• Travelled to and from Pakistan for a trekking trip
• The patient presented with a history of severe diarrhoea
• Symptoms recorded: erratic bowel movement and weight loss.

Test results:

The PCR result came back quicky as positive for four pathogens:

• Cyclospora cayetanensis,
• Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC),
• Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)/Shigella,
• and Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)

This is highly unusual and it is little wonder why our patient was feeling so unwell with severe symptoms.

Our Biomedical Scientist, Jenny Reyes commented; “This is my first time in all of my time as a Biomedical Scientist to encounter such a result with four pathogens presenting all at once.”

Without our GI PCR test, this patient may have undergone many tests to identify the cause and may not have identified that the symptoms were the result of four simultaneous pathogens causing a mixed infection.

The advantage of a panel PCR test is its ability to identify the exact cause, enabling targeted treatment.

In this case, the clinician overseeing this patient’s care was able to tailor treatment to address all four identified pathogens simultaneously with precision.

Without this technology, diagnosing a mixed infection could have taken significantly longer, requiring multiple different tests to pinpoint each cause.

This would have increased the risk that only one pathogen would have been identified, leaving the symptoms caused by the others untreated even after addressing the diagnosed cause.

We encourage all patients with unexplainable gastrointestinal symptoms to consider the GI PCR Panel. It really does offer faster, more targeted care and can identify mixed infection with ease!

More information on our GI Panel:

Our Gastrointestinal Panel Test delivers accurate and reliable results quickly, often within a matter of hours.

It is capable of detecting any of the 23 commonest pathogens that cause diarrhoea – such as E. coli, campylobacter, norovirus salmonella, shigella and giardia, from a single stool sample – all that’s needed is a simple swab.

This supports our rapid diagnostic process, clinical management and educated treatment decisions which improve overall patient outcomes.

Learn more and book today

Boating in the Bahamas

The best way to see the Bahamas is by boat. As an archipelago of over 700 islands and cays all strung together like pearls over a turquoise sea, the majority of visitors choose to cruise to see the many delights that this country has to offer. Whether you only visit the Bahamas or take an all-encompassing Caribbean cruise, it is important to remember those travel vaccinations and travel health advice are essential if you are to enjoy a happy healthy holiday.

Here are our top travel tips for staying healthy in the Bahamas…

Vaccinations

All travellers should be in date with diphtheria, tetanus polio and Hepatitis A. There is no risk of the Yellow Fever virus in the Bahamas, however, if your cruise takes you to an area that does have a risk of the virus (such as South America), you will need to provide evidence of vaccination in the form of a valid Yellow Fever certificate. Cruise ships are confined spaces with a high volume of passengers which makes you more susceptible to infections. If you plan on travelling during the winter months, it is sensible to consider a flu vaccination as respiratory viruses can spread easily.

Sun

The Bahamas lie in the tropical Caribbean seas making the sun, sea and sand the major attraction.  Remember to be sun safe. Wear a high factor sun cream throughout your holiday. The sun’s rays are particularly strong between 11am-3pm so it’s best to avoid direct exposure during this time. Slap on a hat, slip on a shirt and slop on some sunscreen.

Insects

The Bahamas have a risk of dengue fever, chikungunya and the Zika virus. These illness are spread via the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Whilst causing mild illness in many, they can cause more serious complications and are best avoided. Zika virus is associated with a serious complication during pregnancy and those who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon after the trip are advised against travel to the area. There are no specific vaccinations against these mosquito-borne viruses so bite prevention is the only defence. Cover up exposed skin and wear an insect repellent containing at least 50% DEET.

See our Ultimate Bug Kit.

Gastro Kit

The majority of Bahamian cuisine comes straight out of the sea. Whilst seafood and fish are delicious, ensure that any food consumed is cooked thoroughly and served fresh to you. The Bahamas has an abundance of fresh tropical fruit but it is wise to adhere to the ‘cook it, boil it, peel it or forget it’ saying to avoid the dreaded traveller’s diarrhoea. We advise travellers to take a gastro kit with them which can help prevent and treat the commonest gastrointestinal symptoms that occur when travelling.

Cruise Health

If you do plan to see the Bahamas by boat, ensure you follow some sensible precautions to avoid getting sick from fellow passengers. Wash your hands regularly, make use of the alcohol-based sanitizers stations on board, carry a small alcohol-based hand sanitiser to keep your hands clean when off the ship. Ensure you stay hydrated, but make sure you drink water from a safe source (bottled, boiled or purified).

Book your travel appointment today

By Anna Chapman |  Travel Nurse | March 2019