Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jul 2020
Brucellosis: Evaluation of Two Hundred and Ten Cases with Different Clinical Features.
Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease and a major cause of morbidity worldwide presenting with varying clinical manifestations. We aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and complications of brucellosis at the Van Training and Research Hospital from January 2018 to December 2018. ⋯ It should be kept in mind that brucellosis may occur in patients presenting with fever, sweating, arthralgia and leukopenia, especially in endemic areas where dairy livestock is prevalent. People living in these areas should be educated about proper animal care and the handling of dairy products.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jul 2020
Characteristics and Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients with Respiratory Failure Admitted to a "Pandemic Ready" Intensive Care Unit - Lessons from Singapore.
Singapore was one of the first countries affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic but has been able to prevent its healthcare system and intensive care units (ICU) from being overwhelmed. We describe the clinical features, management and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure admitted to our ICU. ⋯ Low COVID-19 ICU mortality was observed in our "pandemic-ready" ICU. This was achieved by having adequate surge capacity to facilitate early ICU admission and IMV, lung protective ventilation, and slow weaning. Being able to maintain clinical standards and evidence-based practices without having to resort to rationing contributed to better outcomes.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jul 2020
Case ReportsChest Radiography in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Correlation with Clinical Course.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020. A definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 is made after a positive result is obtained on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. In Singapore, rigorous contact tracing was practised to contain the spread of the virus. ⋯ In this case series, we described the temporal evolution of COVID-19 in patients with an initial "normal" CXR. Since CXR has limited sensitivity and specificity in COVID-19, it is not suitable as a first-line diagnostic tool. However, when CXR changes become unequivocally abnormal, close monitoring is recommended to manage potentially severe COVID-19 pneumonia.