Acta Medica Port
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Strongyloides stercoralis is a parasite capable of surviving for decades in a single host, due to its ability of auto-infection. Strongyloidiasis usually presents a chronic and asymptomatic evolution, and isolated eosinophilia, cutaneous or gastrointestinal abnormalities are the most frequent findings. Between the 1910s and 1980s, several cases of autochthonous strongyloidiasis in Portugal have been described. ⋯ The diagnosis of strongyloidiasis was confirmed by immunoenzymatic positivity of the antibody to Strongyloides stercoralis. Since the patient lived in a region where several cases of strongyloidiasis were diagnosed in the past, and given the absence of previous trips abroad, this is the first case identified in recent decades of autochthonous strongyloidiasis in Portugal. The authors point out the possibility of chronic infection acquired in regions previously considered foci of great endemicity.
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The aim of this study is to explore the validation of the Resilience Scale in its long and brief versions (25 items and 14 items). This instrument assesses the individual's ability to withstand stressors, thrive and make sense of vital challenges. ⋯ This is the first validation study of this scale in a group of physicians. Its results are very satisfactory, and its use in this specific group is recommended.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought dramatic worldwide consequences affecting social, economic and healthcare systems. Considering that the number of infected patients requiring admission to intensive care units far exceeded the available resources, healthcare professionals have had to face challenging decisions concerning who should benefit from the limited resources and who should not. In this context, after a careful ethical reflection, we propose some principles to be adopted when dealing with allocation resource decisions, based on core ethical values. Ideally, these strategies should be established and integrated into institutional policies before a crisis scenario, in order to anticipate a potential new public health emergency and prevent possible tragic consequences.
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Review
Hypersensitivity Reactions to Vaccines: Current Evidence and Standards for SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines.
The first reports of hypersensitivity reactions following the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination programs have raised public concern. Given the recent availability and novel mechanisms of COVID-19 vaccines, there is limited data on possible hypersensitivity reactions. ⋯ Adequate risk assessment, recognition, classification, and management of hypersensitivity reactions is crucial to ensure safe immunization and avoid misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. In this review, we present an overview of the types of hypersensitivity reactions that can potentially occur due to vaccination and the possible allergenic components of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as a suggestion for causality and risk assessment for the BNT162b2, mRNA-1273 and AZD1222 vaccines.