Clinical medicine (London, England)
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The value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting outcomes in patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains debated. This study evaluated whether NLR independently predicts clinical outcomes and enhances the predictive performance of the CURB-65 score in patients with CAP. ⋯ NLR independently predicts adverse outcomes in patients hospitalised with CAP but does not improve the predictive performance of the CURB-65 score.
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Malaria remains a major global health problem. Transmission occurs in 84 countries across five continents, with almost 250 million cases and over 600,000 deaths each year. ⋯ With emerging resistance, climate change and the roll-out of the first malaria vaccines, the landscape of malaria is changing. Here we discuss the past, present and future of malaria.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest health threats facing humanity and is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, with a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups of patients. The WHO set out its global action plan in 2015 and most countries have their own national plans, which take a whole system One Health approach that includes infection prevention and optimising the use of antimicrobials through stewardship programmes and diagnostics. ⋯ AMS is effective and has proven benefits such as improved outcomes and reduced spread of resistance in hospitals. This paper highlights key principles for antimicrobial prescribing and highlights recent evidence, some of which has been practice changing.