Der Internist
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Confusion reigns about omega‑3 fatty acids and their effects. Scientific investigations did not appear to clarify the issue. Guidelines and regulatory authorities contradict each other. ⋯ All humans have levels of EPA+DHA that if methodologically correctly assessed in erythrocytes, are optimal between 8% and 11%. Deficits can cause serious health issues that can be prevented by optimal levels.
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A 35-year-old patient with a previous history of persistent episodic fever, sore throat, myalgia, and cephalgia presented for evaluation of pancytopenia. He had no recent travel history, except for a stay in Italy 1 year prior to admission and in Spain several years in the past. ⋯ VL is a clinically pleiotropic, severe disease with fatal outcome if left untreated. It often presents with distinct similarities to hematologic malignancies. Exacerbation can occasionally occur as fulminant macrophage activation syndrome. Disease incidence is globally increasing and has not peaked as yet. A complex interplay between pathogen and the immune system is the key pathophysiological mechanism.
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There are six human pathogenic coronaviruses (CoV), which mainly cause infections of the respiratory system. In everyday clinical practice, it is helpful to know the relevance and characteristics of these pathogens. ⋯ All six human CoVs can be diagnosed using RT-PCR on respiratory specimens but this is rarely necessary for the four endemic strains. In current clinical practice SARS-CoV has no importance as it has not been detected in humans for 15 years; however, a possible MERS-CoV infection should be taken into account in patients with typical symptoms and travel history to endemic regions. In this case, rapid diagnostic and general hygiene practices are important to prevent further transmission.