Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Jul 2020
Diagnostic performance between CT and initial real-time RT-PCR for clinically suspected 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients outside Wuhan, China.
Chest CT is thought to be sensitive but less specific in diagnosing the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The diagnostic value of CT is unclear. We aimed to compare the performance of CT and initial RT-PCR for clinically suspected COVID-19 patients outside the epicentre-Wuhan, China. ⋯ Initial RT-PCR and chest CT had comparable diagnostic performance in identification of suspected COVID-19 patients outside the epidemic center. To compensate potential risk of false-negative PCR, chest CT should be applied for clinically suspected patients with negative initial RT-PCR.
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Respiratory medicine · Jul 2020
ReviewFocus on the pulmonary involvement and genetic patterns in Birt-Hogg-Dubè syndrome: Literature review.
Brit-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD) is a rare disorder that is estimated to affects about 600 families in the World. The disease-causing mutations is on FLCN gene which codes for folliculin. This protein has a role in different organs as skin, kidney and lung, thanks to the interaction with type I and II cadherins, RhoA activity and the regulation of AMPK, mTORC1 pathways and cell adhesion. The aim of our study is to focus on the manifestation of the syndrome, especially the pulmonary involvement, then on genetical analysis and on the available treatments. ⋯ BHD syndrome is rare and usually the first manifestations appear in early age. In patients with these clinical and radiological characteristics we suggest taking a careful medical history, though the diagnosis of BHD syndrome should be confirmed with the analysis of FLCN gene.
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Respiratory medicine · Jul 2020
ReviewSevere respiratory SARS-CoV2 infection: Does ACE2 receptor matter?
SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus of the Coronaviridiae family that represents a major global health issue. Mechanisms implicated in virus/host cells interaction are central for cell infection and replication that in turn lead to disease onset and local damage. ⋯ Molecular mechanisms that promote interaction between SARS-CoV-2 virus and host with particular focus on virus cell entry receptor ACE2 are described. We further explore the impact of underlying medical conditions and therapies including renin-angiotensin inhibitors on modulating ACE 2, which is the major SARS-CoV-2 cell entry receptor.