HIVAC (HIV-associated cardiomyopathy): An overlooked complication of HIV in developing countries.

Key Clinical Message: Early initiation of anti-retroviral treatment and prompt management of heart failure in a AIDS patient is crucial. If resources available endomyocardial biopsy can guide the future management. Abstract: HIV-associated cardiomyopathy (HIVAC) is a serious complication of HIV with poorly understood pathology. Systolic dysfunction was a common characteristic of HIVAC which is now replaced as diastolic dysfunction due to the availability of ART. There are various etiologies of HIVAC depending on the degree of viral replication, immune response, availability of ART, and also the disparity between high and low-income countries. We present the case report of a 65-year-old male with a past medical history of untreated HIV who came to the hospital with hemodynamic instability and was diagnosed with HIVAC with pulmonary TB, where the cause of HIVAC was poor immune response and opportunistic infection. Therefore, early cardiac monitoring is essential in HIV patients to prevent its advancement.

Hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy with heart failure: A rare Case report.

Hypocalcemia is one of the rarest causes of reversible cardiomyopathy. Patients with refractory heart failure need to be explored for hypocalcemia and need prompt correction. Abstract: Hypocalcemia is a rare cause of reversible dilated cardiomyopathy. Correction of calcium is crucial to recover left ventricular function and structure. We presented the case of a 55-year-old female who was admitted to the hospital with refractory heart failure due to hypocalcemia induced by primary hypoparathyroidism and complicated by vitamin D deficiency. The patient's cardiac symptoms improved dramatically upon correction of hypocalcemia, and vitamin D. Therefore, the key clinical message of this case report is, that hypocalcemia, although rare, should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses when heart failure is refractory and early diagnosis and treatment is necessary as it is the cause of reversible cardiomyopathy and could reduce morbidity and mortality.

Use of lecanemab for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: The US Food and Drug Administration authorized lecanemab for the therapeutic use of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in January 2023. To assess the effectiveness and safety of lecanemab in treating AD, we thoroughly examined the studies that are currently accessible. METHOD: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis recommendations were followed. In order to find relevant studies on lecanemab, we carried out a thorough literature search utilizing the electronic databases MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and Scopus. Excluding any research using experimental animals, we looked at lecanemab's effectiveness and side effects in treating AD in human clinical trials. Three randomized controlled studies were included. FINDINGS: According to studies, lecanemab lessens clinical deterioration and reduces brain amyloid-beta plaques (difference,.45; 95% confidence interval,.67 to.23; p < .001). Participants who received lecanemab saw a greater frequency of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA)-H (17.3% vs. 9.0%) and ARIA-E (12.6% vs. 1.7%), which is a significant adverse outcome. CONCLUSION: Lecanemab has been shown to have an impact on the two primary pathophysiologic indicators of AD (Aß and tau). There are still a lot of unresolved issues related to lecanemab. Future research on the effectiveness and safety of lecanemab is advised in order to determine that the advantages of this medication exceed the disadvantages.

Concurrent Occurrence of Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Sarcoidosis: A Case Report.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and sarcoidosis are both complex autoimmune disorders with varying clinical manifestations. The incidence of SLE is as low as 4.91 per 100,000 population, and that of sarcoidosis is 0.85 per 100,000 population. The prevalence of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) ranges from 17.6% to 44.5%. The concurrent occurrence of NPSLE and sarcoidosis, although rare, presents diagnostic and management challenges. The clinical picture resulting from the coexistence of NPSLE and sarcoidosis, which share a common immunological picture, is not well defined. This case report discusses a patient with coexisting NPSLE and sarcoidosis, highlighting the intricate interplay between these conditions.

Post-COVID-19 Illness Trend in a Local Community in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: An infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) might show a wide range of symptoms. Many individuals still experience symptoms after a prolonged period of initial COVID-19. OBJECTIVES: The objective is to find out the prolonged consequences of COVID-19 with their associations. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Two hundred and eighty-six COVID-19 cases were the subject of this cross-sectional investigation, which was carried out in basic and secondary healthcare facilities in Bangladesh. COVID-19-positive participants with consent were interviewed in person about their sociodemographic traits, the nature of their COVID-19 infection, risk factors, present manifestations, etc. We carried out our statistical exploration by use of IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22 (Released 2013; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). To evaluate differences, we utilized the chi-square (χ2) test as well as the unpaired t-test. Our significance threshold level was 0.05. RESULT: In this study, 18.5% of participants reported having post-COVID-19 symptoms. The four main symptom categories were anorexia (26.4%), myalgia (34.8%), fatigue (41.5%), and palpitations (25.5%). The majority of post-COVID-19 syndrome patients (e.g., 40.0%) were over 50 years old. Severe disease (81.8%) was more likely to develop post-COVID-19 illness. CONCLUSION: Fifty-three out of 286 participants (or 18.5%) reported having post-COVID-19 symptoms. The main symptom categories included fatigue, myalgia, anorexia, and palpitations. In order to determine the risk variables our data supports, additional investigation is required.

Effectiveness and Safety of Pembrolizumab in Recurrent and Relapsed Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Systematic Review.

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) has achieved high cure rates as a result of recent advancements in treatment. However, recurring or relapsed illness still poses a therapeutic challenge. Immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab, which targets PD-1, is now being commonly used as part of immunotherapy for recurrent and relapsed cHL. We found eight appropriate articles through systematic search and conducted in-depth analysis to find insights into the effectiveness and safety profiles of pembrolizumab by analyzing clinical trial data in patients with recurrent and relapsed cHL. Analysis of the studies shows that response rates, progression-free survival, and patient-reported quality of life have all significantly improved. However, immune-related consequences are among the adverse outcomes. The necessity for continued study is highlighted by the variation in reported adverse events and follow-up times. Clinicians, researchers, and other healthcare professionals can use this study as a resource to provide knowledgeable and individualized patient care in cHL.

Pituitary apoplexy associated with bacterial meningitis: Diagnostic dilemma.

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare entity, which is characterized by severe neurological, ophthalmological, and endocrinological complications, with acute adrenal crisis being a major concern. The diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy is challenging, particularly in cases where it coexists with bacterial meningitis, leading to a diagnostic dilemma and delay in treatment. We report a case of a 23-year-old female diagnosed with pituitary apoplexy with concurrent bacterial meningitis.

Prevalence of Electrolyte Imbalance in Patients With Acute Stroke: A Systematic Review.

Electrolyte abnormalities are common in acute stroke patients and have a substantial impact on the course and prognosis of the disease. Electrolyte imbalances such as hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and phosphate abnormalities are frequently seen in this patient population. The incidence, root causes, and medical ramifications of electrolyte abnormalities in acute stroke patients are investigated in this comprehensive study. According to our research, hyponatremia is the most prevalent electrolyte imbalance. The most common reason for hyponatremia in stroke patients is the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Higher mortality rates, longer hospital admissions, and less favorable functional outcomes are all linked to hyponatremia. Acute stroke patients also typically experience hypokalemia, which affects the severity of the stroke and the recovery of functional abilities. The review furthermore emphasizes the incidence and clinical consequences of hypercalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia, and hypocalcemia in patients with acute stroke. The results highlight the significance of early electrolyte imbalance detection and treatment in acute stroke patients. To better comprehend therapeutic approaches, evaluate their influence on stroke outcomes, and analyze prognostic implications, more research is required.

The Safety and Efficacy of Cryotherapy in the Prevention of Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathy: A Systematic Review.

The chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel has significantly enhanced the treatment of various types of cancer. However, the quality of life of cancer patients is often impacted by the painful and dose-restrictive paclitaxel side effect known as paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN). A non-pharmacological method called cryotherapy has shown promise in alleviating PIPN-related symptoms. In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of cryotherapy in preventing PIPN. The review analyzed four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving individuals treated with paclitaxel for breast and gynecological cancer. Cryotherapy showed success in lowering PIPN symptoms in several studies, as judged by various outcome measures, although the findings varied. The safety profile of cryotherapy was typically good, with minimal side effects. However, methodological variations and small sample sizes in the studies analyzed limit drawing definitive conclusions from them. To obtain conclusive evidence, studies with standardized techniques and larger sample sizes are required. Further research is necessary to understand cryotherapy's potential mechanisms and long-term effects. This review highlights the potential of cryotherapy in the management of PIPN, explains how it works, and suggests future research topics to improve its application.