Blood Eosinophils as a Switch for Inhaled Steroids in Indian COPD Clinics COPD clinics in India still hand out inhaled corticosteroids by habit. Many patients leave with a triple inhaler after one noisy chest. Blood eosinophils offer a cheaper way to decide who actually needs the steroid. The test is a cell count, not a […]
Tag: Pharmacology
Diphtheria Resurgence and Gaps in Vaccination Diphtheria is a toxin-mediated bacterial disease. *Corynebacterium diphtheriae* usually causes it. The germ can inflame the throat and release a powerful toxin. That toxin can damage the heart, nerves, and kidneys. A grey membrane in the throat can also block breathing. The disease is preventable. Vaccination remains the main […]
Bacterial Toxins: How Exotoxins and Endotoxins Cause Tissue Damage and Disease Bacteria produce toxins that harm the host. These toxins fall into two main groups: exotoxins and endotoxins. Both play a major role in tissue damage and disease. Exotoxins are proteins that living bacteria release into their surroundings. Many of them act with high specificity. […]
Clostridioides difficile infection, or CDI, is a serious cause of diarrhoea. It mainly affects people whose gut bacteria have been disturbed. Antibiotics form the strongest risk factor. These drugs kill many helpful bacteria in the intestine. As a result, C. difficile can grow and produce toxins. Broad-spectrum antibiotics such as clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins carry […]
Mesothelioma remains difficult to detect at an early stage. Doctors therefore explore blood and fluid-based biomarkers. Three proteins receive special attention. These are mesothelin, fibulin-3 and osteopontin. Each offers useful information for diagnosis and monitoring. Mesothelin appears in high amounts on mesothelioma cell surfaces. The body releases a soluble form into the blood. This form […]
Liquid biopsy analyzes body fluids for cancer-related markers. Researchers apply this method to track mesothelioma progression. The approach avoids repeated invasive tissue biopsies. Therefore, it offers a safer option for patients. Mesothelioma often develops in the lining of the lungs or abdomen. Traditional monitoring relies on imaging and tissue samples. However, these methods have limitations. […]