Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnętrznej
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Pol. Arch. Med. Wewn. · Aug 2017
ReviewUsing β-lactam antibiotics in patients with a history of β-lactam allergy: current concepts.
β-lactams are the most widely used antibiotic family, but they are also the most common cause of drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions. The estimated prevalence of reported penicillin allergy ranges between 9% and 12%, although a high percentage of patients with a history of penicillin allergy have no subsequent reactions on reexposure to β-lactams. ⋯ In addition to a thorough clinical history, diagnostic methods include skin tests, in vitro tests, and drug-challenge tests. In this review, the diagnosis and management of patients with self-reported penicillin allergy is discussed, including the recently introduced antimicrobial stewardship strategy.
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Pol. Arch. Med. Wewn. · Aug 2017
Observational StudyEffect of long-term physical activity on PCSK9, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) levels: a prospective observational trial
INTRODUCTION Since proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors were introduced to the market, the interest in PCSK9 metabolism has increased dramatically. OBJECTIVES We investigated prospectively the influence of long-term physical activity on PCSK9, highand low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C, respectively), and lipoprotein(a) levels [Lp(a)]. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 109 participants were recruited and instructed to increase their sport pensum by 75 min/wk of vigorous-intensity or 150 min/wk of moderate-intensity endurance training (or a mixture) within the calculated training pulse for 8 months. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS Our study showed a decrease in LDL-C levels induced by a long-term physical activity with a simultaneous increase in PCSK9 levels. PCSK9 is essential in lipid metabolism and should not be basically considered as harmful. It is possible that a certain amount of PCSK9 is beneficial to ensure an adequate lipid supply.