Authors
Latest:
Plague: What You Need to Know NowPlague is caused by Yersiniapestis, a gram-negative, nonmotile,nonsporulating bacillus.It is a zoonotic disease, and rodentsare the primary reservoir.Plague can present as bubonic,pneumonic, or primary septicemic disease.Y pestis is usually transmitted tohumans via the bites of infected fleas,causing the bubonic form of the disease.Primary septicemic and secondarypneumonic disease are muchless common. Primary pneumonicdisease results from aerosol exposureto an infected animal or human withplague pneumonia; however, it too hasbecome uncommon as a natural event.Nonetheless, primary pneumonicplague, or a similar illness, is the mostlikely manifestation following a bioterroristattack.1,2 Despite the substantialinvestment by the former Soviet Unionin this agent as a potential weapon,there is little experience from whichto predict the clinical consequencesof intentional aerosolization of thisorganism.
Latest:
AAPA: Chronic Insomniacs Rarely Seek Help From A DoctorPHILADELPHIA -- Seven out of 10 patients with chronic insomnia never talk with their doctors about it. Instead, they self-medicate with over-the-counter medicines or alcohol.
Latest:
Adding Pounds in Adulthood Ups Major Health RisksStudy: each gain of 5 kg was linked to a 17% drop in odds of healthy aging. A powerful message for young patients.
Latest:
New Advances in Antiretroviral TherapyIt is estimated that approximately 33.2 million persons worldwide were living with HIV infection in 2007.1 With the development of effective antiretroviral treatment strategies, HIV infection has now become a manageable chronic disease.2 Despite advances in treatment, drug resistance, long-term adverse effects, and high adherence requirements represent ongoing challenges to durable viral suppression.
Latest:
Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease: An easy-to-overlook diagnosisAbstract: Patients who have aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) usually experience upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms about 1Z|x to 2 hours after taking aspirin or another NSAID that inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase-1. In addition to symptoms such as nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, paroxysmal sneezing, periorbital edema, laryngospasm, and intense flushing, patients may have severe--often life-threatening--exacerbations of asthma. AERD occurs in about 10% to 20% of patients with asthma and in about 30% of asthmatic patients with nasal polyposis. However, AERD also occurs in patients who do not have any of these predispos- ing conditions. In patients with AERD, aspirin desensitization can improve asthma control, reduce the need for corticosteroids, and reduce the need for sinus surgery. (J Respir Dis. 2006;27(7):282-290)
Latest:
Oral HSV and HPV Disease: A Photo EssayMore than 100 types of HPV inhabit the oral region. The HPV-16 type is highly associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Latest:
A Comparison of the Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Treatments for Moderate to Severe PsoriasisThis study investigated the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of treatments for moderate to severe psoriasis from a managed health care systems perspective. An analysis was conducted of randomized clinical trials evaluating biologic and oral systemic medications and phototherapy for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.
Latest:
Case In Point: Man With Tender Furunculoid LesionsA 37-year-old man presents for evaluationof 3 reddish, tender, 2-cm, elevatedlesions on his right ankle that havefailed to respond to oral amoxicillin/clavulanate prescribed by anotherphysician. The lesions have beenpresent for 8 weeks. Each lesion has acentral opening and watery yellow drainage (Figure 1). The patient recentlyreturned from a trip to CentralAmerica, where he had sustained multiplemosquito bites.
Latest:
Evidence-Based Perspective on Metabolic Syndrome and Use of AntipsychoticsSchizophrenia, a devastating mental illness that affects nearly 2.2 million Americans, is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality.1 Persons with schizophrenia have a 20% shorter life expectancy than the general population.1,2 Furthermore, among persons with schizophrenia, there is an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome characterized by a constellation of risk factors, including insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension,3
Latest:
Renal Artery Stenosis Complicating Essential HypertensionA 73-year-old man who had a history of long-standing essential hypertension, congestive heart failure, mild renal insufficiency, atrial fibrillation, and a mitral valve replacement presented with refractory hypertension. His medications included labetalol, irbesartan, and furosemide.
Latest:
Case In Point: Acute eosinophilic pneumonia in a 19-year-old manThe authors describe a case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) that occurred in a previously healthy young man. The presentation was similar to that of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and the diagnosis was established by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The authors note that it is important to recognize the subset of patients with AEP who present with an ARDS-like picture, especially since corticosteroids are very effective in this setting.
Latest:
No Benefit for Nasogastric Tube in Uppper GI BleedingNew study data suggest that routine placement of such a tube is not helpful in patients with upper GI bleeding.
Latest:
What caused arm numbness and epistaxis in this man?A 38-year-old man presented to the emergency department after experiencing the sudden onset of right upper extremity numbness, heaviness, and loss of coordination, which resolved after 20 minutes. He had 2 similar episodes 19 years and 11 years earlier. Diagnostic evaluation (including MRI of the brain, carotid Doppler ultrasonography, and echocardiography) at the time of the second episode was unrevealing.
Latest:
Editorial - LaurenceA recent editorial in The New York Times heralded the conclusion, from 2 large sub-Saharan African studies, that male circumcision dramatically suppresses HIV acquisition rates as the "most important development in AIDS research since the debut of antiretroviral drugs."1 The editorial went on to state that while a "real [AIDS] vaccine is years away . . . we know its near equivalent [now] exists."1But Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease, was more circumspect. "These results could be negated by a small decrease in condom use or the addition of more sexual partners," he cautioned.2
Latest:
Hair Staining as a Sign of Clandestine SmokingA 78-year-old woman requests evaluation of worsening dyspnea. A long-time smoker, she quit when chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) developed. At each of the last several visits, her hair had been uniformly white.
Latest:
Behçet's DiseaseThis is a multisystem disorder characterized by oral and genital aphthae. Other symptoms include a myriad of cutaneous findings; variable systemic features include uveitis, synovitis, meningoencephalitis, and large- and smaller-vessel vascular disease.
Latest:
Low Back Pain, Part 1: OverviewLow back pain is a widespread and costly complaint that affects virtually all Americans at some point in their lives. After the common cold, it is the second most frequent cause of work absence in the United States.
Latest:
Breast Abscess in an InfantA 15-day-old boy is brought for evaluation after his mother noted a "lump" in his left breast that morning. There is no history of illness or trauma. The infant's appetite and activities are normal, and he has no constitutional symptoms. He was delivered vaginally at full term and did not require a prolonged nursery stay or antibiotic therapy. Results of standard maternal screens were negative.
Latest:
Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis: A Marker of Underlying MalignancyA 62-year-old man presents with a violaceous, nonpruritic eruption that arose 2 weeks earlier on the hands and feet, including the palms and soles, and spread to the arms and legs (Figure 1). Over the past 3 to 4 weeks, he has had malaise, nonproductive cough, and a decline in mental status but no fever, headache, nausea, light-headedness, hemoptysis, or melena.
Latest:
Allergy immunotherapy: Indications, efficacy, and safetyAlthough many effective pharmacological therapiesare available for patients with allergies, only allergen-specificimmunotherapy has been shown to have significant and longlastingtherapeutic and immunomodulatory effects in the managementof allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, and venom hypersensitivity.Standard allergen immunotherapy consists of subcutaneousinjections of relevant allergens. It requires a buildupphase during which the dose of the vaccine is increased until atherapeutic (maintenance) level is achieved. This maintenancedose is usually continued for 3 to 5 years, and most patientscontinue to do well after injections are discontinued. Most patientstolerate immunotherapy well, but local reactions are notuncommon. Immunotherapy should be administered only in aphysician's office, because some patients may experience systemicanaphylactic reactions requiring immediate therapy.Even with newer therapies on the horizon, allergen immunotherapywill continue to have an important role in the treatmentof allergic diseases. (J Respir Dis. 2008;29(3):136-141)
Latest:
Arthropod Bites--Real and Imagined Fire Ant Stings Scabies FormicationRed imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) were introduced into the United States in the 1930s by ships from South America that docked in Mobile, Ala. Fire ants are now active throughout the southeast Sunbelt states. Colonies are also found in California; one of the largest is in Orange County.
Latest:
Five Tips to Help Your Patients Prepare for Anesthesia and SurgeryOne in four people may cancel or delay surgery because the whole idea of general anesthesia is frightening. Offer good counsel to help keep things on track.
Latest:
Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Tipranavir Boosted With RitonavirCritical ViewsinInfectiousDiseaseMedicine A
Latest:
New Advances in Antiretroviral TherapyIt is estimated that approximately 33.2 million persons worldwide were living with HIV infection in 2007.1 With the development of effective antiretroviral treatment strategies, HIV infection has now become a manageable chronic disease.2 Despite advances in treatment, drug resistance, long-term adverse effects, and high adherence requirements represent ongoing challenges to durable viral suppression.
Latest:
Matters of the Heart: Pericardial TamponadeA 70-year-old woman with no previousmedical problems had had progressivedyspnea and generalized weaknessfor the past several days. She washypotensive (73/31 mm Hg), tachycardic(120 beats per minute), andtachypneic (28 breaths per minute);oxygen saturation (room air) via pulseoximetry was 84%.
Latest:
Medical Problems of the Athlete:As the world of sport has embraced the participation of women and girls, the incidence of health problems that pertain specifically to premenopausal female athletes has increased significantly. One of these is the female athlete triad, which consists of 3 interrelated medical conditions associated with athletic training
Latest:
Berloque DermatitisAn 8-year-old boy was taken to his physician because of a rash around his mouth. After spending the day at the beach with his family, his lips had become red, itchy, and swollen. His sister had a similar, although milder, condition. Both children had been sucking on limes while at the beach. One week later, the boy experienced the chapped lips, patchy perioral erythema, swelling, and blisters.
Latest:
An Intriguing DiagnosisA 16-year-old Somali girl presents witha 3-day history of bilateral arm swellingand painful vesicular eruptions; hersymptoms are worsening. She reportsthat 5 days earlier, she and her friendshad used henna and black hair dyeto “tattoo” their skin. The others havenot experienced similar signs or symptoms.This patient has used henna(which is dark red) since childhoodfor decorative purposes. However, outliningan intricate design with hairdye is new for her.
Latest:
Intussusception in the Adult Patient: Rare, OminousMost adult intussusceptions are caused by structural lesions, lead points for many of which are malignant neoplasms.
