What is Digg?171 Comments
- TheWorm, on 10/11/2007, -12/+96Somehow when i saw those first two comments with -10 diggs, I knew one of them would be a "pics or it didn't happen". Am I psychic, or are Digg comments getting way to predictable? In Soviet Russia eyes eat holes in bacteria.
- EnjoyTheFact, on 10/11/2007, -2/+67Add "eye eating bacteria" to the reasons I'm never going to Africa.
- diggdong, on 10/11/2007, -0/+49I heard people have gotten pseudomonas aeruginosa from raccoons. Here is a pic of what they affliction looks like: http://dailycal.org/images/art/11.10.tears.jpg
Sad story. - afx1, on 10/11/2007, -16/+64a little visine should clear it all up
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -3/+39Tomorrow on Digg. Crazy leg infection grows 8 limbed monster and kills 30 people.
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/834/crazyinfectionwh9.jpg - Alex76, on 10/11/2007, -4/+38It could happen, but it happened somewhere between Kenya and Zanzibar, and it happened because her defenses were down and because she spread the infection by rubbing her eyes. An isolated incident not an outbreak of blindness happening all over Africa.
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -1/+31Ummm...Pseudomonas is not an 'African Bacteria'. It is a common waterborne bacteria that can be found in the US and around the world. We see this kind of infection in patients who wear contact lenses. It also infects many other things.
- miles01110, on 10/11/2007, -63/+90She didn't "see" this one coming, I guess.
- satx, on 10/11/2007, -8/+33IM IN UR THIRD WORLD COUNTRIEZ EATING UR CORNEAZ
- rcar, on 10/11/2007, -1/+22Yeah, pseudomonas is a problem in a lot of US hospitals as well, and definitely can cause blindness: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1713287
- Br0wn, on 10/11/2007, -1/+19Looks like it got Storm and isaac Mendez.
- reddevil3, on 10/11/2007, -0/+17That's how Google ads work...
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -2/+19You don't even have to go to Africa to see that. Just go to Detroit...
- Nick22, on 10/11/2007, -0/+17I think you mean to say "Coincidence? I think not". "Ironic, I think not" doesnt make a whole lot of sense
- Hegemony, on 10/11/2007, -0/+14She's damn lucky though. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is downright nasty. It can grow in a wide variety of conditions due to its ability to get carbon from many different sources, including many antibiotics.
- sirlancelot88, on 10/11/2007, -5/+18Africa is a dangerous place. It is one of the most undeveloped regions on the planet, and it's unique climate and ecosystem give rise to EXTREMELY agressive forms of life from ALL five biological kingdoms. So if you take a trip there, make sure to get ALL your shots and be very very aware of going off by yourself.
- ratpH1nk, on 10/11/2007, -2/+15Pseudomas isn't just in Africa, or hospitals. Pseudomas is all over.
http://textbookofbacteriology.net/pseudomonas.html
Endocarditis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infects heart valves of IV drug users and prosthetic heart valves. The organism establishes itself on the endocardium by direct invasion from the blood stream.
Respiratory infections. Respiratory infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa occur almost exclusively in individuals with a compromised lower respiratory tract or a compromised systemic defense mechanism. Primary pneumonia occurs in patients with chronic lung disease and congestive heart failure. Bacteremic pneumonia commonly occurs in neutropenic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Lower respiratory tract colonization of cystic fibrosis patients by mucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is common and difficult, if not impossible, to treat.
Bacteremia and Septicemia. Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes bacteremia primarily in immunocompromised patients. Predisposing conditions include hematologic malignancies, immunodeficiency relating to AIDS, neutropenia, diabetes mellitus, and severe burns. Most Pseudomonas bacteremia is acquired in hospitals and nursing homes. Pseudomonas accounts for about 25 percent of all hospital acquired Gram-negative bacteremias.
Central Nervous System infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes meningitis and brain abscesses. The organism invades the CNS from a contiguous structure such as the inner ear or paranasal sinus, or is inoculated directly by means of head trauma, surgery or invasive diagnostic procedures, or spreads from a distant site of infection such as the urinary tract.
Ear infections including external otitis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the predominant bacterial pathogen in some cases of external otitis including "swimmer's ear". The bacterium is infrequently found in the normal ear, but often inhabits the external auditory canal in association with injury, maceration, inflammation, or simply wet and humid conditions.
Eye infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause devastating infections in the human eye. It is one of the most common causes of bacterial keratitis, and has been isolated as the etiologic agent of neonatal ophthalmia. Pseudomonas can colonize the ocular epithelium by means of a fimbrial attachment to sialic acid receptors. If the defenses of the environment are compromised in any way the bacterium can proliferate rapidly and, through the production of enzymes such as elastase, alkaline protease and exotoxin A, cause a rapidly destructive infection that can lead to loss of the entire eye.
Bone and joint infections. Pseudomonas infections of bones and joints result from direct inoculation of the bacteria or the hematogenous spread of the bacteria from other primary sites of infection. Blood-borne infections are most often seen in IV drug users, and in conjunction with urinary tract or pelvic infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has a particular tropism for fibrocartilagenous joints of the axial skeleton. Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes chronic contiguous osteomyelitis, usually resulting from direct inoculation of bone, and is the most common pathogen implicated in osteochondritis after puncture wounds of the foot.
Urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are usually hospital-acquired and related to urinary tract catheterization, instrumentation or surgery. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the third leading cause of hospital-acquired UTIs, accounting for about 12 percent of all infections of this type. The bacterium appears to be among the most adherent of common urinary pathogens to the bladder uroepithelium. As in the case of E. coli urinary tract infection can occur via an ascending or descending route. In addition, Pseudomonas can invade the bloodstream from the urinary tract, and this is the source of nearly 40 percent of Pseudomonas bacteremias.
Gastrointestinal infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa can produce disease in any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the oropharynx to the rectum. As in other forms of Pseudomonas disease, those involving the GI tract occur primarily in immunocompromised individuals. The organism has been implicated in perirectal infections, pediatric diarrhea, typical gastroenteritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. The GI tract is also an important portal of entry in Pseudomonas septicemia.
Skin and soft tissue infections, including wound infections, pyoderma and dermatitis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause a variety of skin infections, both localized and diffuse. The common predisposing factors are breakdown of the integument which may result from burns, trauma or dermatitis; high moisture conditions such as those found in the ear of swimmers and the toe webs of athletes and combat troops, in the perineal region and under diapers of infants, and on the skin of whirlpool and hot tub users. Individuals with AIDS are easily infected. Pseudomonas has also been implicated in folliculitis and unmanageable forms of acne vulgaris. - waterboy1628, on 10/11/2007, -2/+14She obviously didn't see what was wrong with her.
- TekeeTakShak, on 10/11/2007, -7/+18Woulda made insta-top 10 if we got pics.
- fortressgame, on 10/11/2007, -4/+15"Africa is a dangerous place."
What an ignorant comment. An entire _continent_, dangerous? That's just irresponsible hyperbole. Yes there's danger in Africa, just like everywhere. It's unique to your (I'm guessing) anglo eyes, but come on, you can't write off an entire continent that way. Did you even realize there were modern cities in Africa? Is your worldview so small?
I've been to various countries in Africa. I was there nearly a month and did not being to scratch the surface. It's incredible and you owe it to yourself to get off the couch and see for yourself. - catalysis, on 10/11/2007, -0/+10I culture and work with huge beakers full of pseudomonas every day at my job and I don't really take any extraordinary precautions. It is not really dangerous to healthy people. I get it on my skin all the time and just wash it off. Yes, I'm an internet badass.
- AriaStar, on 10/11/2007, -1/+11I wish that the pic had something to tell us what was what. The iris and pupil seemed all but gone, and it's hard to identify what else was inside.
No, not curious because of being a freak (like the idiots who say "Pics or it didn't happen"), but out of genuine medical curiosity. - mrASSMAN, on 10/11/2007, -0/+9Ebola?
- herrshuster, on 10/11/2007, -1/+10@xxMarka
it's called the reply button o.o - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -3/+12TIA
(for those who have seen Blood Diamond) - orxor, on 10/11/2007, -2/+10@darkciti I agree India is probably one of the most interesting places in the world. One day once I save up enough money I'll go for a 6 month long trip through India.
- teknikz, on 10/11/2007, -2/+10Thats kind of scary , if she hadn't been Canadian. She would of went blind , stories like this just highlite the plight of the African populace and their lack of doctors
- shadows88, on 10/11/2007, -0/+8They were talking about this on the CBC news channel today and were showing some pictures. Pretty nasty stuff, her pupils ended up turning a lime-green color.
Here's a link with a picture; you don't see much but its her.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/05/18/kelowna-zanzibar.html - Snarfy, on 10/11/2007, -0/+7Well, it also says she had successful cornea transplants. The bugs ate her eyes but medical science put them back together.
I'd imagine her vision will improve greatly with time, but never be what it once was. The reason it will improve greatly is because the brain will retrain itself. Eyes are pretty crappy instruments. Your brain does a lot of magic to make an image from fleshy blobs of goo. - elvisshock, on 10/11/2007, -3/+10Stupid heading.
Since when did bacteria get a nationality?? An African bacteria?? The bacteria was not African, it happened to be in Africa. Could have very well have been in America, Canada, UK or any other country.
The guy who created this story is either extremely ignorant, or an absolute moron. - mrASSMAN, on 10/11/2007, -2/+9Yes, Africa as a whole IS the most undeveloped 'region' on the planet. But there's also some places like South Africa which are quite developed.
- idonthack, on 10/11/2007, -0/+7@Nick22
Ironically, it does when you are talking about this situation, because it's not. - anonym41414, on 10/11/2007, -0/+7@ratpH1nk
Right, right, and props to your mad copy-and-paste skillz. But the important fact you missed is that pseudomonas is an opportunistic infection. What that means is that it's everywhere, but the immune system of a healthy person can handle it just fine. The world positively teems with bacteria like pseudomonas, but you never notice it because that's why you have an immune system.
Pseudomonas is not some kind of mutant killer death bug. It's just an ordinary, commonplace bacterium that can make already sick people much sicker. - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -3/+10Are you kidding? India has some amazingly gorgeous countryside, incredible work ethics and fascinating people.
I could do without the spicy foods and corresponding body odour, but it's an amazing place to visit. - raada, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8I like when the doctors advice is: get out of here quickly, you're sick...
- resplence, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6I was already grossed enough out by the title but after reading the girl saying "I felt like someone had glass and was scraping away my eyes" I read the rest of the article with my eyes watering the whole time.
- SultanTravi, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6I believe they said they did a cornea transplant and now she can blurrily see.
- betasheets, on 10/11/2007, -1/+7"dream trip to africa"...those whacky canadians.
btw, pseudomonas aeruginosa is not an "african" bacteria. it's commonly found here in the US as well. - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5pic of the girl: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/photo/18052007/3/photo/canada-african-adventure-blinds-kelowna-teen-image.html
- bbear, on 10/11/2007, -3/+8Ah South Africa, highest rate of rape and murder in the world. The place where 33% of women report being victims of rape in 1999. Doesn't sound like a nice place to vacation to me.
- anonym41414, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5Bacterial and fungal infections are two different things.
I'm also gonna go on record here and say that fungal infections are the most horrifyingly disturbing things I have ever seen in my entire life, hands down, bar none, end of story.
You don't even know disgusting until you've seen chromoblastomycosis or kerion. - pavvy, on 10/11/2007, -1/+6why must the bacteria be african? must race always be involved?
/sarcasm - alecsputnik, on 10/11/2007, -1/+6duh! that's why we don't go to africa! that's like taking a vacation to iraq and complaining when you lose a limb.
- sannm, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5My father actually had an infection of amebic keratitis which is similar to (in the same category?) as a pseudomona bacteria. It had very similar symptoms starting with blurred vision and pain in the eyes, luckily he sought treatment soon but fought the infection in both eyes for nearly six months in which it was very painful and he had to constantly wear sunglasses because bright light made the infection even more painful. He ended up doing weekly trips to the University of Chicago and as others have stated, it is very had to kill, they tried multitudes of treatment on my father, and it is purely opportunistic and attacks weakened defenses. Apparently its very common but only spreads when someones defenses are weak, it came from our tap water.
- Nocterminus, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5@jkays I agree with you, in the fact that, if those people who posted blaming this tragedy on Africa had of read all the other postings here, they would learned that this bacteria is everywhere.
Like many have posted already, this can happen from unsanitary use of contact lenses.
If being in Africa had any factor at all, it would be because she went alone to a remote place that took her 5 days to get back to her native health care system. She may have received better initial care, had she not been alone, blinded and no doubt couldn't speak the language too well, if at all. - openyoureyes17, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5i had to google them...why did i have to google them....
chromoblastomycosis: http://www.mycology.adelaide.edu.au/gallery/photos/chromo1.gif
kerion: http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hardin/md/pictures22/kingsbury/183.jpg
you know it says kerion is ring worm, but i had ring worm when i was a kid and it never looked like THAT, it was just a red circle on my eye brow and my eye brow hair fell out. - orxor, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Interesting fact that a lot of people don't realize is that they can get herpes infections on the cornea which over time can scar the eye and cause the person to lose eye sight and most people have HSV-1 infections.
- anonym41414, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4That's kind of a mystery. Pseudomonas is an opportunistic bacterium, meaning it doesn't normally attack people with healthy immune systems. The article neglects to explain how this poor girl got infected in the first place, when her body should have been able to shrug this bacterium off just like it does most others. I wonder if there was some underlying factor that made her susceptible to this infection.
And yes, if you were wondering, I do watch entirely too much "House." - guice, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4@anonym41414
That makes sense, but there's still one thing that make me wonder -- why did this girl get it? Obviously, if she was going backpacking, she must have been in pretty good health. Why didn't her immune system kick in and fight back?
Either this bacteria isn't as common as you suggest or this infection was different. - RedViper1999, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4That's because you know nothing about eyes. Your corneas can be damaged and have holes in them yet still see, because your retina is what is sending the images to your brain. And according to the article its her corneas that were damaged not the retina.
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