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stefoodie
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Posted: Oct 12 2006 at 6:39am | IP Logged Quote stefoodie
help with interpreting lab results and giving more info, please? I'm not looking for a substitute to medical advice, just wanting to make sure I'm asking the right questions when I talk to hubby's doctor and that I understand enough.

They said they ruled out MRSA, but the lab report does say resistant to penicillin (though susceptible to oxacillin), and they've prescribed augmentin/amoxicillin for him, which is derived from penicillin.

I'm seeking a second or even a third opinion today, but I guess I'm wondering if I'm being too control-freaky about this whole thing, and if anyone can offer help interpreting lab results so I can understand it better -- in layman's terms preferably -- I'd appreciate it.

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MacBeth
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Posted: Oct 12 2006 at 9:53am | IP Logged Quote MacBeth
Stef, I am not a doctor, but I have done some work with microbial resistance. I am not sure what you are asking, so if this is not the right answer, please let me know.

Basically, the medications penicillin and amoxycillin are similar, function in the same way, but have enough differences that the bacteria in question does not recognize one as the other. The medications are like two similar keys...one works and one does not, though they might be a very close match.

Methicillin resistance is a sort of catch all phrase for 'cillin resistant Staph. MRSA is very serious, so if they have ruled that out, your dh is ahead of the game. What the lab tests determined is that the bacteria in question is resistant to penicillin, but is killed by another 'cillin. Amoxycillin is the commonly prescribed "next best bet" when fighting bacterial infections. Augmentin also has an additive, clavulanate potassium, which prevents it from being destroyed by certain resistant bacteria, thus "augmenting" the efficacy of the amoxycillin. Whew. Hope that helps! And praying for your dh!!

(spell checker just had a fit over this post )

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