Probiotics and Synbiotics Administered to Young Infants: Perceptions and Acceptability Amongst Carers and Healthcare Workers in Western Kenya.

Background/objectives: A contributory factor to childhood undernutrition is poor gut health occurring within the first 6-12 weeks of life despite exclusive breastfeeding. Pro/synbiotic administration may protect gut health. A qualitative study was conducted amongst mothers/carers and healthcare workers (HCWs) to explore their perceptions and the acceptability of pro/synbiotics administration in early life.

Optimizing outcomes in infective endocarditis: A comprehensive literature review.

Background: Despite being rare, infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease with poor prognosis. New diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are emerging; however, predisposing factors and microbiology of the disease are also changing with time. Because of this, there has been a lack of reduction in the disease's incidence and new challenges for clinicians have arisen such as an increasingly aging population and growing antimicrobial resistance.

COVID-19 and Multiorgan Response.

Since the outbreak and rapid spread of COVID-19 starting late December 2019, it has been apparent that disease prognosis has largely been influenced by multiorgan involvement. Comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases have been the most common risk factors for severity and mortality. The hyperinflammatory response of the body, coupled with the plausible direct effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome on body-wide organs via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, has been associated with complications of the disease.

At the heart of COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) first presented in Wuhan, Hubei province, China in December 2019. Since then, it has rapidly spread across the world, and is now formally considered a pandemic. The disease does not discriminate but increasing age and the presence of comorbidities are associated with severe form of the disease and poor outcomes.