University of Twente Student Theses
The incremental cost-effectiveness of introducing PCR for early detection of E. coli infections associated with acute diarrhea compared to conventional microbiological methods
Alphenaar, J.M.C (2015) The incremental cost-effectiveness of introducing PCR for early detection of E. coli infections associated with acute diarrhea compared to conventional microbiological methods.
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| Abstract: | Infectious gastro-enteritis (GE) is one of the most common diarrheal diseases worldwide and a frequent reason for consulting the general practitioner (GP). The estimated incidence is 35 per 1000 persons per year. The Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a harmless bacterium that colonizes the gastrointestinal tract. However, toxin producing E. coli such as enteroheamorrahagic E. coli (EHEC) and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) are an important cause of GE. Moreover, infectious GE can lead to the life-threatening complication hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Transmission of E. coli to humans occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route when contaminated foods are consumed or via direct contact from person-to-person. The conventional microbiological methods (CMM) are able to detect one serotype of pathogenic toxin producing E. coli. However, EHEC/STEC can be caused by a wide variety of serotypes, which are not detected by CMM. A molecular diagnostic technique such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is suitable for the detection of several different serotypes of toxin producing E. coli. An accurate diagnosis of toxin producing E. coli leads to proper treatment, which can minimize the risk of HUS. Before applying PCR as a general diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of EHEC/STEC a cost-effectiveness analysis is required. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 02 science and culture in general, 42 biology, 44 medicine |
| Programme: | Health Sciences MSc (66851) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/68454 |
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