Staphylococcus
A group of bacteria that cause a multitude of diseases. Under a microscope, staphylococcus bacteria are round and bunched together. They can cause illness directly by infection or indirectly through products they make, such as the toxins responsible for food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome. The best-known member of the staphylococcus family is Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococci are the main culprits in hospital-acquired infections, and they cause thousands of deaths every year. Also known as staph.
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A form of staphylococcus bacteria that is unaffected by certain antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus is a growing problem, particularly in hospitals, where staph infections can run rampant. Treatment involves using ‘super-antibiotics’ when possible, although this type of infection can prove to be untreatable and deadly.
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An hereditary eye disease that is one of the most frequent causes of macular degeneration in childhood. (The macula is the part of the retina that is responsible for central vision.)
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Southern tick-associated rash illness.
- Startle disease
A genetic disorder also known as hyperexplexia in which babies have an exaggerated startle reflex (reaction). This disorder was not recognized until 1962 when it was described by Drs. Kok and Bruyn as a disease with the onset at birth of hypertonia (stiffness), exaggerated startle response, strong brain-stem reflexes (especially head-retraction reflex) and, in some […]
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A reflex seen in normal infants in response to a loud noise. The infant makes a sudden body movement, bringing the legs and arms toward the chest.