Infectious Diseases
- To prophylax or not to prophylax for endocarditis: Still a question
Give prophylactic antibiotics before invasive dental procedures? On the surface, it may seem sensible. But we have more to learn about the successful clearance of bacteria from the bloodstream and why protective mechanisms occasionally fail.
- ‘Kissing tonsils’ and splenic infarction from infectious mononucleosis
A 36-year-old male presented with severe pain in the left upper quadrant after 10 days of cough, sore throat, and fever.
- Getting to the root of the problem: Should my patient receive antibiotics before dental procedures to prevent infective endocarditis?
Individual risk depends on inherent patient and procedural risk factors. The authors offer practical points to aid decision-making.
- Asymptomatic oral plaques and erosion
A 45-year-old man presented with a 4-week history of plaques and erosion on the left buccal mucosa and lower lip.
- Should urine antigen testing for Legionella pneumophila be ordered for all hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia?
Testing is recommended if the pneumonia is severe, if there has been recent travel, and if there is currently an outbreak of legionnaires disease.
- The perfect storm: An unseasonably early RSV annual epidemic, a severe annual flu epidemic, and a smoldering COVID-19 pandemic
The author presents scenarios illustrating the overlapping clinical manifestations of respiratory viral infections that challenge clinical diagnosis.
- Brodie abscess in an 87-year-old man
Though Brodie abscess is rare in older adults, timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent exacerbation of the abscess and avoid the need for additional surgical treatment, shortening the duration of hospitalization and preventing long-term complications.
- Diagnosis and management of ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatorenal syndrome
A review of recommendations from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
How does climate change impact our patients?Comprehensive patient health and well-being will benefit from an understanding of the effects of climate change on health.
- Viruses change; we can, too
As we learn more about the mpox (formerly monkeypox) virus, Sossai et al in this issue of the Journal discuss how our understanding of its link to variola has led to therapeutic and prophylactic vaccination options.