Internal and emergency medicine
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Septic arthritis (SA) is commonly associated with Staphylococcal or Streptococcal infections. Overtime, there has been a global increase in the distribution of antimicrobial resistance within both Gram-positive bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Gram-negative bacteria such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positive Enterobacteriacea. The aim of this study was to determine whether this change in epidemiology similarly affected the distribution of resistant pathogens causing SA. ⋯ Over a 15-year study period, no significant increase in resistant pathogens causing SA was observed. In the era of antibiotic stewardship, these results strengthen our practice of administering narrow-spectrum antimicrobials empirically for SA. However, our findings cannot be generalized to regions with higher rates of MRSA in the community.
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Anaemia is a highly prevalent condition, which negatively impacts on patients' cardiovascular performance and quality of life. Anaemia is mainly caused by disturbances of iron homeostasis. ⋯ Various mechanistic links between iron homeostasis, anaemia, and pulmonary hypertension have been described and current treatment guidelines suggest regular iron status assessment and the implementation of iron supplementation strategies in these patients. The pathophysiology, diagnostic assessment as well as current and future treatment options concerning iron deficiency with or without anaemia in individuals suffering from pulmonary hypertension are discussed within this review.