Corona viruses: reaching far beyond the common cold

Background: Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are one of the most common causes of the \u201ccommon cold\u201d. Some HCoV strains, however, can cause fatal respiratory disease. Some examples of these diseases are severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19). This article will review the etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of HCoVs. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using the terms \u201chuman coronaviruses\u201d, \u201cMERS-CoV\u201d, \u201cSARSCoV\u201d, \u201cSARS-CoV2\u201d, \u201cCOVID-19\u201d, and \u201ccommon cold\u201d in OVID MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Findings: Most HCoVs cause mild upper respiratory infections which resolve with supportive care and no sequelae. In recent decades, however, there have been outbreaks of novel HCoVs that cause more severe disease. This is largely due to HCoVs having large genomes which undergo frequent recombination events, leading to the emergence of novel and more virulent strains of the virus. These severe respiratory illnesses can lead to acute respiratory distress requiring invasive intervention, such as mechanical ventilation. These severe infections can lead to long-lasting sequelae in patients. Scientists continue to investigate potential treatments for these viruses, though supportive care remains the gold standard. Scientists have succeeded in developing numerous vaccines for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and ongoing data collection and analysis will shed even more light on the next steps in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Due to the frequency of recombination events and the subsequent emergence of novel strains, HCoVs are becoming more prevalent, making them a global health concern as they can lead to epidemics and pandemics. Understanding the epidemiology, etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of HCoVs is important, especially during this worldwide pandemic

Mycobacteria infection in an immunocompetent patient with no risk factors: evaluation and management of non-healing majocchi granuloma-type nodule

Atypical mycobacterial infections are more commonly described among immunocompromised patients, although there has been an increasing incidence in recent years of infections in immunocompetent hosts. Normally preceding trauma is a risk factor for infection. We describe a case of Mycobacteria chelonae infection in a healthy individual with no risk factors

Future prospects in 3-dimensional (3D) technology and Mohs micrographic surgery

The advancement of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has allowed for changes within the field of dermatology. Skin bioprinting is a transformative technology used to fabricate biomimetic scaffold architectures which mimic human skin. This paper briefly discusses three major types of biological printing: inkjet-based bioprinting, laser-assisted bioprinting and pressure-assisted bioprinting in regard to skin bioprinting for Mohs application. This manuscript reviews the basic principles of 3D printing (inkjet-based bioprinting, laser-assisted bioprinting and pressure-assisted bioprinting), current 3D skin bioprinting applications and methods, and perspectives on using 3D printing for Mohs surgery

Mycobacteria infection in an immunocompetent patient with no risk factors: evaluation and management of non-healing majocchi granuloma-type nodule

Atypical mycobacterial infections are more commonly described among immunocompromised patients, although there has been an increasing incidence in recent years of infections in immunocompetent hosts. Normally preceding trauma is a risk factor for infection. We describe a case of Mycobacteria chelonae infection in a healthy individual with no risk factors

Ashy dermatosis: a review

Ashy dermatosis is characterized by asymptomatic, symmetrically-distributed, gray-colored macules located on the trunk, neck, face, and upper extremities. The condition occurs most commonly in patients with Fitzpatrick phototype III-V skin. The etiology is unknown, but drug ingestion, infection, and genetic factors have been suggested to elicit ashy dermatosis. No gold standard treatments have been established yet. The most successful treatment to date has been clofazimine, although topical tacrolimus, oral dapsone, narrowband ultraviolet light B phototherapy, and isotretinoin have shown treatment success. Ashy dermatosis is primarily a cosmetic concern, but can be a very distressing condition, especially for dark skinned individuals. Therefore, an increase in clinician awareness and more studies are needed to further understand the etiology and treatment options for this disease. This review serves as a single source for clinicians to stay up-to-date regarding the history, clinical presentation, histology, pathogenesis, differential diagnosis, and management options for ashy dermatosis. It also suggests an alternative name that more appropriately encompasses the clinical and histopathologic features, while acknowledging our lack of understanding of its etiology: macular hyperpigmentation of indeterminate etiology