Pathogens and disease
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Pathogens and disease · Jun 2020
ReviewSARS, MERS and COVID-19: clinical manifestations and organ-system complications: a mini review.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are caused by three distinct coronaviruses belonging to the same genus. COVID-19 and its two predecessors share many important features in their clinical presentations, and in their propensity for progression to severe disease which is marked by high rates of morbidity and mortality. ⋯ This narrative review delineates the pulmonary, cardiac, renal, gastrointestinal, hepatic, neurological and hematologic complications associated with these three respiratory coronaviruses. It further describes the mechanisms of immune hyperactivation-particularly cytokine release syndrome-implicated in the multi-organ system injury seen in severe cases of MERS, SARS and COVID-19.
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Candida auris is a new fungal species that has puzzlingly and simultaneously emerged on five continents. Since its identification in 2009, the scientific community has witnessed an exponential emergence of infection episodes and outbreaks in healthcare facilities world-wide. Candida auris exhibits several concerning features compared to other related Candida species, including persistent colonization of skin and nosocomial surfaces, ability to resist common disinfectants and to spread rapidly among patients. ⋯ Nevertheless, a robust response involving rapid diagnostics, prompt interventions and implementation of precautions, are paramount in curtailing the spread of infections by this fungal species. Importantly, there is a pressing need for the development of new antifungal drugs. In this article, we present a brief overview highlighting some of the important aspects of C. auris epidemiology, pathogenesis and its puzzling global emergence.