Question

Alarmingly high number of people describing similar acute symptoms. An investigation team composed of medical professionals and scientists was assigned to determine the root of the problem. 30 patients from different parts of the town exhibited similar symptoms at various hospitals in town.

Symptoms include vomiting, liver damage, abdominal pain and edema.
Aside from the symptoms reported, patients appear intact, that is no cuts or skin bruises.

Thorough analysis of blood, urine and stool for microbial pathogens did not identify any known pathogens. All patients do not recall specific trauma leading to these symptoms, nor visiting an exotic place in the months before the outbreak. Patient’s ages range from 10-55 with a clear trend of increased severity of the symptoms amongst young patients (under 16).

Patient’s ethnicity is diverse.

Below is an initial list of questions to guide you in solving the case. Note, it is an initial list and you are expected to come up with further ideas at the workshop.

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-. Question (Answer)

1. What body system is affected? (Digestive system is affected.)
2. What may cause the signs and symptoms? (Acute Hepatitis virus, commonly caused by Type A followed by type B. A is often transmitted by consuming food or water contaminated by feces of a infected person)
3. What may be the causative agent? (Acute Hepatitis A via contaminated food/drink)
4. How does this agent cause the disease? (The pathogn attacked on liver causing inflammation [edema] to liver and the result may be vomiting pain and swelling on the body [edema].)
5. What tests could be carried out? What would these tests show? (1.Bilirubin test for jaundice. 2.TLC - DLC test for observing level of WBCs especially eosinophil count. 3.Hb test to indicate level of damage. 4.Heptitus blood test. 5. Liver biposy but only if absolutly necessary.)
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6. What other information you may need from the patients to identify the source of the problem? (

Answer 1