Utility of the FebriDx point-of-care assay in supporting a triage algorithm for medical admissions with possible COVID-19: an observational cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate a triage algorithm used to identify and isolate patients with suspected COVID-19 among medical patients needing admission to hospital using simple clinical criteria and the FebriDx assay.

Design: Retrospective observational cohort.

Setting: Large acute National Health Service hospital in London, UK.

False-negative RT-PCR for COVID-19 and a diagnostic risk score: a retrospective cohort study among patients admitted to hospital.

Objective: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 and false-negative SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), and develop and internally validate a diagnostic risk score to predict risk of COVID-19 (including RT-PCR-negative COVID-19) among medical admissions.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Two hospitals within an acute NHS Trust in London, UK.

Pre-hospital National Early Warning Score (NEWS) is associated with in-hospital mortality and critical care unit admission: A cohort study.

Background: National Early Warning Score (NEWS) is increasingly used in UK hospitals. However, there is only limited evidence to support the use of pre-hospital early warning scores. We hypothesised that pre-hospital NEWS was associated with death or critical care escalation within the first 48 h of hospital stay.

A single-centre cohort study of National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and near patient testing in acute medical admissions.

Introduction: The utility of an early warning score may be improved when used with near patient testing. However, this has not yet been investigated for National Early Warning Score (NEWS). We hypothesised that the combination of NEWS and blood gas variables (lactate, glucose or base-excess) was more strongly associated with clinical outcome compared to NEWS alone.

A single-centre observational cohort study of admission National Early Warning Score (NEWS).

Introduction: Early warning scores are commonly used in hospitals to identify patients at risk of deterioration. The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) has recently been introduced to UK practice. However, it is not yet widely implemented.

Post-exposure prophylaxis in resource-poor settings: review and recommendations for pre-departure risk assessment and planning for expatriate healthcare workers.

It is estimated that more than 3 million healthcare workers worldwide suffer needlestick and splash injuries whilst at work resulting in the potential transmission of blood-borne pathogens via exposure to bodily fluids. Under-reporting and the subsequent management of occupational injuries is a problem both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Many expatriate health care workers will work in low resource settings where the risk of transmission is greatest but in contrast to wealthier countries such as the United Kingdom, there is often a lack of effective systems for its safe management.

Temporal trends in severe malaria in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Background: Epidemiological data on malaria in Bangladesh are sparse, particularly on severe and fatal malaria. This hampers the allocation of healthcare provision in this resource-poor setting. Over 85% of the estimated 150,000-250,000 annual malaria cases in Bangladesh occur in Chittagong Division with 80% in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

Epilepsy, poverty and early under-nutrition in rural Ethiopia.

Purpose: The incidence of epilepsy in Ethiopia is high compared with industrialised countries, but in most cases the cause of epilepsy is unknown. Childhood malnutrition remains widespread. We performed a case-control study to determine whether epilepsy is associated with poverty and markers of early under-nutrition.

A case of haemophagocytic syndrome in HIV-associated disseminated histoplasmosis.

Disseminated histoplasmosis is an opportunistic infection which is commonly associated with HIV. Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has been described as a secondary phenomenon to infection, collagen-vascular disorders and malignancies. In patients with HIV, cases of reactive haemophagocytic syndrome associated with disseminated histoplasmosis have been reported with CD4 counts of less than 50 cells/µl (450-1660 cells/µl).

Perspectives: The significance of measuring non-HDL-cholesterol.

The third Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program has recently issued revised guidelines for the treatment of cholesterol in adults. Increased attention to the metabolic syndrome and diabetes, including the inaccuracy of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) measurement in these patients because of elevated triglycerides is highlighted. To overcome the inaccuracy of the Friedewald equation in calculating LDL-C when the triglycerides are elevated, measuring non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL-C) may provide a better means to follow these patients toward their treatment goals.