Physicians at the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) report a cluster of 5 cases of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in illegal immigrants from East Africa, which surprisingly turned out to be consistent with New World Leishmaniasis, although all 5 had come from an area endemic for Old World Leishmaniasis. How did this occur?
Bacterial meningitis is a feared medical illness that has a high morbidity and mortality rate. Meningitis can present in any age group, although the predominant pathogenic organisms do vary by age.
A few years ago, vitamin E was deemed to be an extremely important nutrient required to maintain health, prevent or delay several disorders, and prolong life. However, many clinical trials involving intervention with supplemental administration of vitamin E failed to establish or confirm these benefits. A similar prominence is being afforded at present to vitamin D because of relationships being documented between vitamin D deficiency and multiple outcomes, including several disorders and mortality.
Screening for lung cancer by means of chest X-ray (CXR) does not reduce mortality, even with the addition of sputum cytology.
The use of aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease remains controversial.
Interpret the rhythm strip shown above. Does it represent complete (3rd degree) AV Block? How would you proceed clinically?
A randomized, controlled trial of persons with new onset common cold showed modest effects of placebo on duration and severity of the cold symptoms, but greater effects among the patients who believe in the benefits of echinacea, whether receiving the supplement or placebo.
The FDA has approved a second three-drug fixed combination for the treatment of HIV-1 infections. This combination contains two nucleoside analog HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors (emtricitabine and tenofovir) and a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI; rilpivirine).
Adding gabapentin to valacyclovir early in the treatment of acute herpes zoster may reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia.
