Journal of clinical pathology
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A perspective on the various definitions of myalgic encephalomyelitis and the process of discovering its aetiology is presented. The importance of clinical guidelines is emphasised to encourage clinicians to provide clear descriptions of their individual patients required for proper clinical activity; diagnosis, estimation of severity of effect, prognosis, treatment and rehabilitation. This individual knowledge is informed by general and (hopefully) publicly confirmed knowledge resulting from scientific research during the second-person interaction which lies at the core of the clinical encounter. Both types of knowledge are essential.
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It has been 3 years since the Chief Medical Officer reported on chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and the time has come for a thorough investigation by an All Party Group drawn from the House of Commons and the House of Lords. We have received many written submissions and are engaged in taking oral evidence in 2-h sessions, which we open to the public as well as interested groups. The group has received a fantastic response to its requests for written evidence over the past few months. Questions that arise for a government response are the lack of provision and support for patients with CFS/ME, the issue of the clinical definition of CFS/ME, the need for a diagnostic test for CFS/ME, effectiveness of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines, and criteria used to decide which treatments are best for patients with CFS or myalgic encephalomyelitis.
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In contrast with adults, children infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus (SARS-CoV) develop milder clinical symptoms. Because of this, it is speculated that children vaccinated with various childhood vaccines might develop cross immunity against SARS-CoV. Antisera and T cells from mice immunised with various vaccines were used to determine whether they developed cross reactivity against SARS-CoV. The results showed no marked cross reactivity against SARS-CoV, which implies that the reduced symptoms among children infected by SARS-CoV may be caused by other factors.
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Acid secretion is intimately associated with most upper gastrointestinal diseases. Helicobacter pylori infection is a major environmental factor modifying acid secretion. ⋯ Combination of body gastritis, body atrophy, age and serum pepsinogen I can be used as predictors of acid-secretory state in populations infected with H pylori.
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To report the description of a rare benign osseous lesion affecting the ribs entitled post-traumatic fibro-osseous lesion (PTFOL). ⋯ This is the second largest series of PTFOLs, which is considered to be a dysplastic healing process after trauma. It may be symptomatic or shown by imaging studies realised for unrelated reason. PTFOL is regularly misdiagnosed with other more common lesions of the ribs, such as fibro-osseous dysplasia, osteoma osteoid and benign fibrous histiocytoma. Its recognition is of importance because no follow-up is needed after resection.