Articles: disease.
-
The use of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) for autoimmune diseases has become the first indication for transplant in nonmalignant disease. Mucormycosis is a rare invasive infection with increasing incidence in patients treated with AHSCT. We report the first case of pulmonary mucormycosis following AHSCT for systemic sclerosis (SSc). ⋯ With the progressively increasing use of AHSCT and other stem cell therapy for treatment of severe SSc and other autoimmune diseases, the potential onset of rare post-transplant fungal infections, such as mucormycosis, requires careful patient monitoring and better awareness of early initiation of adequate therapy.
-
The potential role for serological tests in the current COVID-19 pandemic has generated very considerable recent interest across many sectors worldwide, inter alia pathologists seeking additional weapons for their armoury of diagnostic tests; epidemiologists seeking tools to gain seroprevalence data that will inform improved models of the spread of disease; research scientists seeking tools to study the natural history of COVID-19 disease; vaccine developers seeking tools to assess vaccine efficacy in clinical trials; and companies and governments seeking tools to aid return-to-work decision-making. However, much of the local debate to date has centred on questions surrounding whether regulatory approval processes are limiting access to serological tests, and has not paused to consider the intrinsically limiting impact of underlying fundamental biology and immunology on where and how different COVID-19 serological tests can usefully be deployed in the response to the current pandemic. ⋯ We interpret this scientific evidence in terms of mooted clinical applications for current COVID-19 antibody tests in identifying acute infections, in confirming recent or past infections at the individual and population level, and in detecting re-infection and protective immunity. We conclude with guidance on where current COVID-19 antibody tests can make a genuine impact in the pandemic.
-
Case Reports
Mechanical thrombectomy for a 12-year-old boy with acute ischemic stroke: A case report.
Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is one of the most severe diseases that endanger human health. It is very common among middle-aged and elderly people, but it is rare in children. The treatment varies among children and adults, since the cause for AIS in children differs from that in adults. In adults with AIS, endovascular therapy has been recommended, but guidelines for endovascular therapy in children with AIS have not been established yet. In China, few relevant evidence is present so far in clinical research of mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment for children with AIS. ⋯ Mechanical thrombectomy can be performed safely for children with AIS, but needs a further research with large samples.
-
The global prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) ranged from 5% to 50%, accompanied by the yearly increasing trend and younger onset. To date artificial tear serves as a mainstay therapy for DED management. It is noteworthy that, acupuncture has been accepted for treating DED with a time-honored history in China. However, no systematic review has been updated till now, which is focusing on comparing acupuncture vs. artificial tears for DED management. ⋯ 10.17605/OSF.IO/Z28M6.
-
The novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) has spread to >200 countries and regions. There is no effective antiviral drug for COVID-19. Traditional Chinese medicine, such as Lianhua Qingwen, has achieved some curative effect in many countries, but its effect is not clear. We aim to assess the efficacy and safety of Lianhua Qingwen combined with Conventional antiviral Western Medicine in Clinical treatment of COVID-19 or asymptomatic infection. ⋯ INPLASY202060067.