ABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The opioid epidemic has been responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the USA and worldwide. As a result, it is essential to recognize the threat these potent drugs can cause when illicitly used. Specifically, introducing fentanyl as a drug adulterant has been shown to impact overdose rates drastically. In this regard, the Drug Enforcement Agency recently released a public safety alert announcing the new threat of a new adulterant called xylazine. Xylazine is a powerful animal sedative with a different mechanism of action when compared to illicit opioids such as heroin and fentanyl. Xylazine is typically injected intravenously via a syringe, often in combination with multiple other drugs. One of the most common drugs, xylazine, is taken in combination with fentanyl, with users of this drug combination describing xylazine as prolonging the euphoric sensation produced by fentanyl. RECENT FINDINGS: Xylazine may cause adverse effects such as bradycardia, brief hypertension followed by hypotension, premature ventricular contractions, ataxia, slurred speech, sedation, and respiratory depression. Much of the recent literature on xylazine use in humans comes from case reports and review articles. Related to widespread use in veterinary medicine and increasing circulation in illicit drug markets, there is a critical need for public awareness and additional clinical-based studies to further increase understanding of mediated or modulated pharmacological effects of xylazine in humans. Further research is urgently needed to more clearly understand the implications of unregulated xylazine in the illicit drug market, to formulate public health interventions, and to implement harm reduction strategies.
ABSTRACT
Hansen disease, known as Leprosy, is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The disease was once thought to be highly contiguous, and patients with leprosy were treated poorly and had to face discrimination due to the gruesome disease's complications. Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium causative of leprosy, can generally be found in the nine-banded armadillo. The bacterium is transmitted via aerosol droplets and broken skin-to-skin contact. Once M. leprae enters the body, it will target peripheral nerves and the lining mucosa of the skin and eyes, thus causing inflammation and tenderness of the affected area. Over time, this will lead to peripheral neuropathy and weakness of the affected body parts. Treatment of leprosy involves multi-drug combinations such as dapsone, rifampin, and clofazimine. Even though leprosy is curable, early detection and treatment are crucial to preventing irreversible damage and disabilities. Prevention measures include early detection, treatment regimen adherence, close contact prophylaxis, contact tracing, and community awareness. This review aims to provide the latest diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for leprosy. It outlines the epidemiology, microbiology, clinical treatment, and immunological methods used to detect leprosy.
