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The BIOFIRE System and Your Immune System

The BIOFIRE System offers syndromic testing for infectious illnesses, allowing healthcare professionals to select the appropriate test the first time. Patients benefit from faster diagnosis and more targeted treatment. Clinicians benefit from improved antibiotic stewardship. Labs gain efficiency and cost savings.

The BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia plus panel (PN panel) examines native sputum, endotracheal aspirate, and bronchoalveolar specimens (including mini-BAL) for 33 pathogens with clinical relevance and antimicrobial resistance genes with semiquantitative results in about an hour.

Respiratory

The burning of biomass, including wood, plants and other organic materials, produces gaseous pollutants and fine particulates that negatively affect the respiratory system. Climate change may increase the negative effects of forest fires to the health of humans.

In the United States, wildfire smoke has been linked to respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD and lung cancer. Furthermore, hanging bioethanol fireplace of air pollution is an underlying risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and is a significant contributor to the burden of disease in the most vulnerable populations that include those who are of lower socioeconomic status (SES).

Wildfires caused unhealthy levels of air pollutants in several communities during the COVID-19 epidemic. The response to public health has been limited to a communications campaign on the management of symptoms. This gap in knowledge is concerning considering the evidence of potential health risks resulting from the continual exposure to smoke and other sources of poor air quality.

Researchers are now evaluating the best ways to protect public health during future events similar to this. NIH funds research on this critical public health issue through the BLUE CORAL and FIRE CORAL studies.

For the first time the study is a prospective cohort study that will assess long-term outcomes from exposure to smoke from wildfires and other sources. FIRE CORAL enrolls adults who are admitted to hospital for COVID-19 index episodes and who speak English or Spanish but aren’t pregnant. The protocol for Fire Coral includes a series of in-person assessments that objectively measure pulmonary function testing, lung imaging and functional assessment.

Smoke and other particles can cause or worsen respiratory problems like emphysema COPD, and pneumonia. A number of steps can be taken to prevent or minimize the negative health effects from short-term exposures to smoke, including abstaining from outdoor activities when it is feasible and wearing the EPA’s “N95” mask, which is designed to trap fine particles.

Smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to the throat and eyes and lead to an irritated nose. To help reduce symptoms, drink plenty of water and take medicines that help reduce inflammation, such as corticosteroids.

Bloodstream

Bloodstream is the first line of defense against germs that invade your system. Dendritic cells, which are special cells, are like your fire department’s call centre; they gather antigens (molecules that trigger an immune response) from invading germs and release proteins that signal other white blood cells to come fight them. The total white blood cells, differentials, and band cells grew after firefighters’ firefighting tasks, compared to levels after intense exercise without firefighting.

Skin

Dermatologists were concerned that the smoke and ash from the California wildfires could have an adverse effect on the skin of those exposed to them. Maria Wei, a graduate student at University of California, Irvine, is studying how extreme fire pollution affects skin. Her research was published on April 22, 2012 in Scientific Reports.

The study of Wei shows that the temperature changes of the skin according to the length of time the body is exposed. It can take as long as two hours for the skin of someone to reach their “flash point”–the moment at which it starts to burn and turn ashy. That’s why it’s important to stay away from the campfire or a fire, and why you must wear protective clothing when you go outside in the midst of a forest fire or even on the heat of the day.

Forest fires will continue to occur, despite the measures implemented to reduce the risk of fires from causing pollution. Wei is predicting that the number of people suffering from the effects of wildfires will grow as climate change causes more and more forests to burn. This means that more people will need to wear caps and long sleeves and also thick moisturizers.

Air pollution from wildfires can cause atopic dermatitis to the skin, which causes itchy skin in a lot of people. The reason for this is due to the particles in smoke can clog pores, making the condition worse.

Atopic dermatitis can also make people more sensitive towards UV light. This can be exacerbated by smoke from wildfires. This could lead to people seeking out tanning salons and apply a tan with less protection.

A treatment using ice and fire may help reduce atopic skin symptoms of dermatitis however it is not recommended for anyone with an open wound or rash. This treatment is not recommended for those with active acne or if you are pregnant or nursing. The IS Clinical Fire & Ice Facial at Novuskin, Las Vegas’ top membership MedSpa, is an intensive result-driven facial that bridges the gap between a light facial and a peel without requiring any downtime. It’s designed to rejuvenate the skin, improve rosacea symptoms, decrease acne scarring, diminish lines and wrinkles, and stimulate cellular renewal. It’s an incredible treatment to give yourself an energizing glow.

Infections

The human body is a complicated system of organs and tissues that work to guard us against infection. Infections can be caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites which infect healthy cells, causing them to multiply uncontrollably. Your immune system can react by displaying symptoms of illness. These symptoms can include anything from a stuffy or runny nose to stomach upset and can include a fever that is high, swollen glands, and an eruption. Your symptoms can be affected by the nature of the disease, its location, and even your temperature.

Infections can spread through a variety of ways, but the most common is through airborne droplets that remain after a sniff or cough. Bacterial diseases such as tuberculosis and strep throat meningococcal disease and Legionnaires disease spread through this method, along with some viral infections, such as the common cold and influenza. Some bacterial infections such as skin infections or sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea are transmitted through direct contact with affected mucous or tissue surfaces, or indirectly through surfaces that are contaminated. Certain bacterial infections are carried by bugs like ticks, mosquitoes or fleas. They can be spread when these bugs bite you.

The parasites, viruses, and other microorganisms are small enough to enter your bloodstream and infect your cells. This can lead to serious illnesses such as the common cold or AIDS. Fungi can cause skin problems such as ringworm and athlete’s foot, while others infect the respiratory tract and nervous system.

The BioFire Panel uses our innovative FilmArray Technology to test sputum and bronchoalveolar fluid samples to determine a comprehensive list of pathogens that are involved in upper respiratory infections. The kit includes a reagent bag that contains all the chemistry needed to perform reverse transcription as well as nested multiplex PCR detection in a single machine. It’s a simple solution to aid clinicians in identifying and treat patients with a variety of respiratory symptoms. This test has been issued an Emergency Use Authorization. It’s available in bioMerieux CLIA medium and high complexity laboratories.