Rapid Fire : Top papers in HIV - Injectables (CAB/RPV): Atlas & Flair

Here, we present on ATLAS and FLAIR trial on injectables long acting anti-retroviral therapy

Detection of herpes simplex virus-1 by direct immunofluorescence and viral isolation from cerebrospinal fluid

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the human herpesvirus that leads to herpes simplex encephalitis or meningoencephalitis and is frequently lethal if not treated properly. Here, we described a case of a 21-year-old man who presented with acute confusion and abnormal behaviour and was later diagnosed with HSV-1 meningoencephalitis based on immunofluorescence and viral isolation from cerebrospinal fluid

Acute pyelonephritis with candidemia caused by fluconazole resistant candida albicans

An increasing number of azole-resistant Candida albicans strains have arisen due to the evolution of acquired resistance and an epidemiological shift toward less vulnerable species. Here we highlight a case of acute pyelonephritis with candidemia caused by fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans in a patient with no previous exposure to antifungal

A sinister Vibrio fluvialis bacteremia in an elderly gentleman

Vibrio sp. causes gastroenteritis, wound infection, and bacteremia in humans after exposure to seawater or contaminated seafood. Human infections caused by V. fluvialis are mostly gastroenteritis. Here, we described a sinister case of V. fluvialis bacteremia in an elderly gentleman

Burkholderia pseudomallei: a rare cause of parotid abscess

Burkholderia pseudomallei causing an isolated parotid abscess uncommon with very few reported cases. Meliodotic abscesses in the cervicofacial, head, and neck region may well be confused with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a tuberculosis-endemic country like Malaysia. Here we present a case of left-sided parotid abscess caused by B. pseudomallei

Unmasking a hidden culprit: a case of 'diphtheritic' colitis

Pseudomembranous colitis, originally referred to as "diphtheritic colitis" by Finney in the late 1800s, has transformed from a fatal postoperative complication to a prevalent complication of antibiotic use that can lead to severe morbidity. This case report presents a complicated situation of a 71-year-old female patient diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma who developed pseudomembranous colitis after undergoing multiple rounds of antibiotics and chemotherapy. Despite treatment for acute infectious gastroenteritis, she exhibited no improvement. She was later diagnosed with pseudomembranous colitis after a colonoscopy revealing yellow raised lesions on edematous and erythematous mucosa. The patient was successfully treated with a 10-day oral vancomycin course without further relapse. Risk factors for pseudomembranous colitis include previous antibiotic use, treatment with proton pump inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and chemotherapy. Management of nosocomial diarrhea requires various diagnostic tests to determine the best course of action as Clostridium difficile infection, a common cause of pseudomembranous colitis, can cause a range of symptoms

Rebound COVID-19 after Paxlovid in 2 related family members

On May 24, 2022, the CDC issued a healthcare advisory after reports of COVID-19 symptoms returning (COVID-19 rebound) in certain patients two to eight days after treatment with Paxlovid (Ritonavir-Boosted Nirmatrevir). We described two patients who experienced a rebound of COVID-19 after receiving Paxlovid treatment

Vibrio Cholerae O1 Ogawa bacteremia with Extraintestinal manifestation

O1 Ogawa Vibrio cholerae is rarely reported causing extraintestinal manifestation. Here, we report a case of O1 Ogawa Vibrio cholerae bacteremia with bullous cellulitis of the left leg. The patient acquired the infection through a small skin prick on her leg from contaminated soil that served as an environmental reservoir for Vibrio cholerae

Health-related quality of life among Hepatitis C patients in Pahang state, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Background: Measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among hepatitis C patients is crucial in assisting health care providers to understand the complex psychosocial impact of disease on patients, thus facilitating a more patient-centred care. This study aims to measure the HRQOL among hepatitis C patients attending a tertiary hospital in Pahang, Malaysia. Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 195 hepatitis C patients attending Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), the main public tertiary hospital in Pahang. HRQOL was assessed using the 36-item short-form survey (SF-36v2). Results: Respondents had lower scores in physical and mental health components of HRQOL than normal population. Those who completed treatment had higher scores in both physical and mental health component, compared to those who was not treated or on treatment. There was no significant association between HRQOL and gender, age, marital status, employment status and education level. Conclusion: Our findings showed that patients with hepatitis C, in general, have poor HRQOL in both physical and mental health components. Disease management should take into account patients’ quality of life as part of the inter-disciplinary approach. Acknowledgement: The authors would like to thank all staff of gastroenterology and internal medicine department Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan. The study was approved by the National Medical Research Register (NMRR), Malaysia Research Ethics Committee (MREC) and the Clinical Research Centre (CRC) of HTAA (Ethics No: NMRR-18-3536-42688