Coral researchers and reef managers will be able to identify coral infections using a new method that allows them to classify specific diseases based on the presence of microbes.

This could lead to more effective action to reduce the impact of disease on the world’s imperilled coral reefs.

“Current classification of coral diseases is mostly based on a description of how the coral has deteriorated, such as the pattern of tissue loss and abnormal colours,” says Joseph Pollock, a PhD student at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. “This is an ineffective way to identify coral diseases because different diseases can often look very similar. for instance, in the Caribbean alone, more than six “white” diseases show the same characteristics of tissue loss exposing white coral skeletons.

Coral diseases can be caused by a number of different microbes, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. Knowing exactly which toxic organism leads to a particular disease is therefore important for accurate diagnosis – and for planning how to manage or control its impact.

One of Pollock’s supervisors, David Bourne from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, says that the recent worldwide decline of coral reefs has been accompanied by increased disease, creating an urgent need for a deeper understanding of the various diseases, including what harmful bacteria and viruses contribute to different coral diseases, what triggers them and how they spread.

“Instead of relying on appearances to tell us what disease the corals have, we need to determine what’s happening to them before the symptoms show. this will help us to control, or reduce the impacts.”

“The technology is called quantitative-PCR (qPCR) and is often used in human medical research. qPCR works as a genetic fingerprinting technique that both detects and quantifies a specific DNA molecule in a sample. It can detect pathogens at even very low levels – as few as a couple of bacteria in a cup of seawater,” mr Pollock says.

Apart from testing corals for the presence of pathogens, researchers can also use the technology on water samples to gauge the general health of the wider coral reef environment, mr Pollock says.

“This technology is sure to have many applications in the future”, he says, “as marine environments are put under pressure by multiple impacts from rapid coastal development, declining water quality, and climate change”.

More information: The group’s paper The urgent need for robust coral diseases diagnostics by F Joseph Pollock, Pamela J Morries, Bette L Willis and David G Bourne was published in PLoS Pathogens on 20 October 2011.

Provided by ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies

Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the lung.[1] Frequently, it is described as lung parenchyma/alveolar inflammation and abnormal alveolar filling with fluid. (The alveoli are microscopic air-filled sacs in the lungs responsible for absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere.) Pneumonia can result from a variety of causes, including infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, and chemical or physical injury to the lungs.

There are many kinds of pneumonia ranging in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. Pneumonia acquired while in the hospital can be particularly virulent and deadly. Although signs and symptoms vary, many cases of pneumonia develop suddenly, with chest pain, fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath. Infection often follows a cold or the flu, but it can also be associated with other illnesses or occur on its own.

What causes pneumonia?Germs called bacteria or viruses usually cause pneumonia.Pneumonia usually starts when you breathe the germs into your lungs. You may be more likely to get the disease after having a cold or the flu. These illnesses make it hard for your lungs to fight infection, so it is easier to get pneumonia. Having a long-term, or chronic, disease like asthma, heart disease, cancer, or diabetes also makes you more likely to get pneumonia.

Bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia. However, pneumonia can also be caused by viruses, fungi, and other agents. it is often impossible to identify the specific culprit.Your body has many mechanisms in place to fight off infection. if fact, you are frequently exposed to organisms that can cause pneumonia, but your body normally protects against them through its various defense mechanisms.

Symptoms of PneumoniaGeneral flu-like symptoms often occur first. they may include fatigue, fever, weakness, headache, nasal discharge, sore throat, earache, and stomach and intestinal distress.Vague pain under and around the breastbone may occur, but the severe chest pain associated with typical bacterial pneumonia is uncommon.Fungi. certain types of fungus also can cause pneumonia, although these types of pneumonia are much less common. most people experience few if any symptoms after inhaling these fungi, but some develop symptoms of acute pneumonia, and still others may develop a chronic pneumonia that persists for months.

Treatment of PneumoniaIf your child’s doctor has prescribed antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia, give the medicine on schedule for as long as the doctor directs. this will help your child recover faster and will decrease the chance that infection will spread to other household members.Drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids to stay hydrated. this helps your body fight the pneumonia. Anti-fever medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) may also help you feel better.Viral pneumonia does not respond to antibiotic treatment. this type of pneumonia usually resolves over time. if the lungs become infected with a secondary bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe an appropriate antibiotic to eliminate the bacterial infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION: how soon do symptoms of throat chlamydia show up and what are they?I havent been active for nearly a year. I had a pap-smear done and i was shocked when it came back positive for chlamydia. a guy performed oral sex on me the day before i got the results. what are the chances that he contracted it? how soon do symptoms of throat chlamydia show up?

   • ANSWER: There is a chance that he has contracted chlamydia of the throat, although it is unlikely because chlamydia of the throat is rare because the bacteria find it hard to grow in the conditions of the throat. out of all chlamydia cases, only about 5% are found in the throat. because chlamydia of the throat is so rare, most clinics do not offer a throat swab for it. usually there would be no symptoms, although some people experience a long-term sore throat. Chlamydia in the throat itself would not cause any problems, however the problem occurs if he performed oral sex on a person and passed it on to their vagina, which would then cause problems. the best thing to do is tell him you’ve had the infection and tell him to go to the clinic for advice. Good Luck x

2. QUESTION: if you have ever had chlamydia in your throat, please answer and describe your symptoms?how did your throat look and feel and how did you feel in general, how did it first come on? Was it like a cold? Dod you have pus? Thanks and God bless you.

   • ANSWER: the main symptoms a person infected with Chlamydia in the throat would expect to experience are a sore throat or a throat infection.

     Though Chlamydia is among the most common sexually transmitted diseases, Chlamydia of the throat is relatively rare because the bacteria has a hard time breeding there.

     It is important to note that many cases of Chlamydia of the throat will exhibit no symptoms at any time during infection. Just because you show no signs doesn’t mean that you don’t have it

3. QUESTION: what are the symptoms of gonorrhea of the throat?And the symptoms of chlamydia of the throat?

   • ANSWER: Oral Gonorrhea doesn’t have any real obvious symptoms; it just feels like any old sore throat. but it can also infect your ass, which results in anal discharge and/or bloody bowel movements. Sexy! but just because you have a sore throat or bloody as discharge, it doesn’t mean you’ve got Gonorrhea. because its symptoms often resemble those of other common sicknesses, Gonorrhea is nicknamed the “Great Imitator.” That’s why it is important to tell your doc or clinician if you’ve had oral or anal sex recently, otherwise they might not think to check you for Gonorrhea infection.

     If you have symptoms, they often show up 2-10 days after being exposed. they include:

     A creamy or yellow discharge from your penis, if you have it there (urethritis)Itching or burning in the opening of your penis when you come or urinateA sore throat, if you have it in the throat (pharyngitis), but this form is usually asymptomaticA discharge and an itch when you shit, or possibly blood and/or mucus in your stool, burning rectal pain, pain during bowel movements, and a false alarm urge to shit, if you have it in the ass (proctitis)Even if the symptoms clear up, the infection may still be there.