Clinical medicine (London, England)
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Leptospirosis is one of the most important zoonotic bacterial diseases worldwide, commonly affecting resource-poor populations and resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of human leptospirosis.
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In the context of an ageing population, many healthcare professionals have limited experience and confidence in having necessary advance care planning (ACP) conversations. ⋯ Multidisciplinary simulation training is an effective way to teach ACP to doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals. The simulation was shown to improve participant understanding, confidence and reduce barriers to discussions, both immediately and 3 months later.
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Dengue is an arboviral infection that is hyperendemic in tropical and subtropical climates. Clinical manifestations of dengue can range from asymptomatic infection to severe infection with multi-organ failure. Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a subcategory in dengue infection with a hallmark of plasma leak (ie critical phase). ⋯ In addition, dengue fever may present with extended and unusual manifestations affecting any organ, including the heart, liver, kidney and brain. Studies on vaccine development and vector control are ongoing to prevent this infection of global importance. In this article, the clinicopathological features and management aspects of dengue are discussed.
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A large majority of neurological infections remain undiagnosed worldwide. Emerging and re-emerging infections are likely to be responsible for a significant proportion of these. ⋯ Large outbreaks caused by re-emerging pathogens such as Chikungunya virus, Zika virus and Ebola virus have led to better delineation of their neurological manifestations. Recognition of the pandemic potential of emerging pathogens and an improved understanding of their host-vector-environment interactions would help us be better prepared to meet these emerging threats.