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Causes and Symptoms of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common cause of gastrointestinal emergencies in newborns. It is manifested by ischemia and inflammation of the intestinal mucosa.

28 Feb 2017

Diagnosis and Treatment of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), the most common infantile gastrointestinal emergency, is one of the most challenging conditions encountered by pediatric surgeons. It occurs in up to 3 in every 1000 live births, and manifests as intestinal ischemia and inflammation

28 Feb 2017

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Overview

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening condition that manifests as inflammation of the intestines. This devastating disease affects mostly premature babies, who account for up to 8 out of every 10 cases. In NEC, bacteria invade the intestinal wall. The resulting local infection and inflammation lead to the destruction of the intestinal lining, even through its entire thickness.

28 Feb 2017

Pathogenesis and Clinical Presentation of Babesiosis

Babesiosis is an illness similar to malaria, that is caused by the intraerythrocytic parasitic species from the genus Babesia, transmitted by ticks. In the last fifty years the epidemiology of babesiosis in humans has shifted from a handful of isolated cases to the established endemic disease in Europe and northeastern and midwestern United States.

28 Feb 2017

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Treatment and Prevention

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a respiratory virus that was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

28 Feb 2017

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Epidemiology

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) represents a novel human coronavirus that was initially reported from Saudi Arabia in 2012.

28 Feb 2017

Teaching old drugs new tricks – drug repurposing for rare diseases

Innovation is something of a buzz-word in modern medicine and rightly so. In order to deliver the best care and treatment to patients it is crucial that we are open to new ideas and encourage scientific advancement.

28 Feb 2017

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Diagnosis

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a novel coronavirus that was discovered in 2012. Since then, sporadic cases, as well as cases caused by transmission in the families, and major outbreaks within healthcare settings, have been described or epidemiologically linked to the Arabian Peninsula.

28 Feb 2017

Treatment and Prevention of Babesiosis

Human babesiosis is an emerging tick-transmitted infection caused by protozoal hematotropic parasites that belong to the genus Babesia. Although this condition is rare, fatal outcomes have been described. For this reason, timely detection, adequate treatment, and prevention efforts are essential tools to control babesiosis.

27 Feb 2017

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Symptoms

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic virus that is transmitted from animals (most likely camels) to humans and is associated with severe acute respiratory illness, with potential multiorgan failure and death. This virus has stayed on the radar of public health authorities around the world not only due to recurrent hospital and community outbreaks, but also due to its high mortality rates.

27 Feb 2017

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Overview

In recent history, we have witnessed the emergence of several different life-threatening viruses. In addition to causing serious public health concerns around the globe, they have been responsible for significant human morbidity and mortality. Modern life that entails uncurtailed travel of humans and goods means that initially localized outbreaks may pose a risk of transmission anywhere in the world.

26 Feb 2017

Mumps Prognosis

Mumps, a notifiable disease in many countries, is a condition caused by a contagious paramyxovirus and occurs predominantly in the pediatric population. It is easily spread from one person to another via the respiratory route and has an incubation period between 12 – 25 days. Persons are not contagious early in the incubation period, but are infectious right before the classical symptoms appear, and remain communicable for at least a few more days after becoming symptomatic.

26 Feb 2017

Research on Allergies

Allergies are exaggerated immune responses to substances that would otherwise be seen as harmless. Allergies rank high on the list among the world’s most common health conditions. They begin when an allergen, the substance responsible for the reaction, causes the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which coat mast cells. On subsequent re-exposure to the allergen, IgE reacts and causes the release of histamine and other inflammatory products from mast cells. These released substances lead to several of the signs and symptoms associated with allergies.

26 Feb 2017

Pediatric Allergies

Allergies may be suspected in children who develop frequent rashes, or cough or sneeze often, or complain about upset tummies after consuming particular foods. Allergy, or hypersensitivity, is an exaggerated immune response to a substance that would otherwise not elicit an immune reaction.

26 Feb 2017

What Causes Babesiosis?

Babesiosis is a parasitic enzootic disease that is triggered by the infection of vertebrate erythrocytes with the protozoan Babesia species. Babesiosis is considered one of the most significant tick-borne infectious diseases in both domestic and wild mammals, and when it infects humans, it still poses substantial diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This condition shares a plethora of clinical features with malaria (one of the most important parasitic diseases) and can be fatal – especially in the immunocompromised and the elderly.

26 Feb 2017

What is Babesiosis?

Notwithstanding notable progress in medicine and biomedical science, parasitic diseases still represent a burden and a threat to human health. Among a myriad of parasitic diseases, those transmitted by vectors (mainly arthropods) play a significant role. Furthermore, such diseases are very prevalent in the poorest countries of the world, affecting an extensive portion of the human population, as well as posing a health hazard in developed countries.

26 Feb 2017

Managing Symptoms of Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy, characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, is a disorder believed to be caused by a deficiency in certain neuropeptides called orexins. It is often seen in children, adolescents, and young adults. Narcolepsy may be easily confused with other childhood disorders, such as depression and insomnia, because its symptoms are often nonspecific. Girls and boys are affected in equal numbers, and some studies show that up to 30% of patients are diagnosed before the age of 15 years.

23 Feb 2017

What is an Oomphalocele?

An omphalocele, which is also referred to as exomphalos, is a rare congenital defect of the abdominal wall.

23 Feb 2017

Mumps in Pregnancy

Seen mostly as a mild disease of childhood, mumps is caused by a paramyxovirus and is highly contagious. It spreads relatively quickly via the respiratory route (e.g. sneezing and coughing) and through skin-to-mucosal contact with contaminated material.

23 Feb 2017

Narcolepsy in Children

Narcolepsy is classified as a neurological disorder which is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. In children, narcolepsy with its recurring episodes of ‘sleep attacks’ can lead to social as well as academic dysfunction.

23 Feb 2017