Your urinary tract and renal system are delicate structures which are crucial in your body’s ability to dispose of its waste products. Without this system, one dies. With a damaged system, one suffers. Ideally, the product of this system, urine, should be “sterile” (that is, contain no bacteria). Some bacteria are capable of damaging the lining of the urinary tract and the very delicate filter in the kidney. Damage to the filtration system of the kidney may lead to permanent kidney disease.
Hepatitis
The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes inflammation and destruction of the cells of the liver. Approximately 20% of those who become infected with HBV continue to carry the virus for their lifetime. These people are called “chronic carriers”. Chronic carriers of HBV ultimately have high rates of death due to cirrhosis (liver cell destruction) and cancer of the liver.
Syphilis
Fortunately, syphilis is rather uncommon in the U.S. However, it is a potentially devastating disease for a fetus or newborn if not diagnosed and treated properly. Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It is spread from one person to another through sexual intercourse.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-cell protozoan (a class of organisms separate from bacteria and viruses). It is commonly found in soil. It is also found in the feces of infected animals, and has a well-deserved reputation for being in the feces of cats who roam outdoors. Meat is also a source of the organism.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
CMV is a virus. In children and adults, it may cause symptoms similar to a cold or mild flu. If a developing fetus becomes infected, the problems can be severe (deafness, eye problems and blindness, mental retardation and death).
Group B beta-Strep
Group B Strep (Strepococcus agalactiae, group B) is a common bacteria. In older children and adults, colonization of the bacteria rarely results in infection. That means one may carry the bacteria, but never show signs of disease. In fact, as many as 10-30% of the female population are carriers of the bacteria. The bacteria can be detected by a culture of the vagina and rectum.
Toxemia – Pre-eclampsia and Hypertension in Pregnancy
For generations, the “toxemias of pregnancy” have perplexed physicans. The problem still does. We now know a lot more about the disease process than we did a 100 years ago…..but still have little clue of what causes it or how to prevent it. As recently as the early 1980’s, a reputable journal of obstetrics was reporting that a small, blood-borne worm was the cause.