Isr Med Assoc J
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Outbreaks of syphilis have been described among men who have sex with men (MSM) in many western urban communities in the last few years. ⋯ This syphilis outbreak included MSM who were co-infected with HIV and were characterized by risky sexual behavior including multiple partners, unprotected anal intercourse and substance use. Future targeted interventions should focus on HIV-infected MSM for secondary prevention.
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The phenomenon of hair pulling has been recognized for centuries, yet the true prevalence of trichotillomania (TTM) is largely unknown and the topic has been sparsely studied. TTM is classified as an impulse-control disorder despite much debate about its etiology. ⋯ Treatment with anti-addiction drugs seems relevant. Further research is needed to increase our knowledge regarding the etiology of TTM.
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Food allergy is an increasingly prevalent disease in western countries, but an effective form of therapy has not yet been found. A specific active treatment for immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy is currently under study in human clinical trials. Allergen-specific approaches include oral, sublingual and epicutaneous immunotherapy. ⋯ The occurrence of adverse events or reactions during OIT is quite frequent and has been reported in all published studies. Therefore, before this treatment can be used in clinical practice additional studies are needed. Currently, immunotherapy for cow's milk or egg allergies is a novel approach that expands the possibility of an active treatment to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.