J Formos Med Assoc
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Letter Case Reports
Familial cluster of pneumonia and asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan.
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To date, molecular typing studies on Mycoplasma pneumoniae are limited. We evaluated the molecular types of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in pediatric patients in Taiwan in 2016. ⋯ Macrolide resistance was relatively low (24%) in this age group in 2016 in Taiwan, and A2063G was the dominant point mutation. MLVA 4-5-7-2 was associated with macrolide resistance.
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The purpose of this study was to determine the pathogens and to estimate the incidence of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Taiwan. ⋯ CAP related pathogens have changed after increased conjugated pneumococcal vaccination rates. This study described the latest incidences and trends of CAP pathogens, which are crucial for prompt delivery of appropriate therapy.
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Long-term nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy has been shown to improve the survival in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and factors associated with survival in HBV-related cirrhotic patients receiving long-term NA treatment. ⋯ Antiviral therapy improves liver function of HBV-related cirrhotic patients and provides a better chance of curative treatment in those with HCC development. Decompensated cirrhosis is a risk factor for liver-related mortality in this special clinical setting.
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Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a novel treatment option for cancer therapy, which help direct the immune system to recognize and target cancer cells. ICIs have been shown to provide significant mortality benefits for cancer patients, but they are also associated with immune-mediated toxicity. ⋯ The present review summarizes the current understanding of ICI-associated cardiotoxicities, examining the epidemiology and timing of onset, as well as their clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, pathophysiology, clinical management and outcomes. Although the literature describing ICI-associated cardiotoxicity remains limited to case reports, case series and early clinical trials, strategies for the surveillance, diagnosis and management of this potentially fatal cardiovascular complication of cancer therapy have been proposed.