Articles: disease.
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The incidence of airborne respiratory infections fell as a result of the protective measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and rose again when these were stopped. In 2022, there was a notable rise in invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections in many countries, including Germany. This rise was also reflected in the data of the university otorhinolaryngology department in Ulm, Germany. ⋯ The reduced confrontation of the immune system with pathogens during the pandemic, along with the increased incidence of viral airway infections immediately after it, apparently accounted for the exceptionally high post-pandemic rise in iGAS infections and the increase in invasive pulmonary diseases in Europe. Consistent vaccination programs against coincident respiratory viruses could reduce the burden of iGAS infections. The further extension of multinational surveillance programs with obligatory participation could aid in the detection of factors affecting the course of disease and the spread of new bacterial strains.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes persistent symptoms, including brain fog. Based on limited research on the long-term consequences of mild COVID-19, which has yielded inconsistent results, we investigated which cognitive functions were most affected by COVID-19 in non-hospitalized Asian patients with long-term COVID and subjective cognitive complaints. ⋯ Nearly 70% of patients with subjective cognitive complaints and long COVID had objective cognitive impairments. A comprehensive evaluation is essential for patients with long COVID and brain fog, including those with mild symptoms.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Critically ill patients with COPD exacerbations may require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) commonly occurs in the intensive care unit (ICU) and is usually associated with high mortality. Current studies on the relationship between COPD and VAP are limited. This work compares the etiology and clinical outcomes of VAP between patients with and without COPD in Taiwan. ⋯ Our study revealed that COPD was not associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with VAP. No significant differences in bacterial etiology were observed between the two groups.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Oct 2024
Case Reports[Emergence of a multidrug-resistant tuberculosis through inadequate treatment of isoniazid monoresistance].
We admitted a 65-year-old patient with suspected reactivation of a pulmonary tuberculosis for further diagnosis. ⋯ Treating tuberculosis, considering drug resistances is crucial. To avoid ineffective therapy, molecular diagnostic methods are recommended, however, cultural testing remains essential. Diagnostic latency, rising rates of drug resistances and lengthy treatment courses contribute to the complexity of treatment. In Germany, specialized outpatient clinics are available since 2014 for diagnosis and treatment of patients with tuberculosis or non-tuberculous mycobacterial diseases, even in the event of mere suspicion.