Der Internist
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new β‑Coronavirus that was first detected in 2019 in Wuhan, China. In the ensuing months it has been transmitted worldwide. Here the authors present the current knowledge on the epidemiology of this virus. ⋯ Nosocomial and infections in medical personnel have been reported. Drastic reductions in social contact have been implemented in many countries with outbreaks of SARS-CoV‑2, leading to rapid reductions in R. Which of the measures have been effective is still unknown.
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The pandemic triggered by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has put intensive care medicine into the focus of public attention. The mortality of patients with the disease escalates, particularly at the moment when the treatment possibilities of intensive medical care end. ⋯ For these severe courses there is still only little evidence available as to which interventions are the most effective. In addition to the knowledge that can be gained from the rapid performance of clinical trials, the treatment is therefore based on analogies to other syndromes, such as sepsis and macrophage activation syndrome.
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The term neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) encompasses a molecularly and biologically very heterogeneous group of tumors, which have in common their origin in neuroendocrine cells. The also very heterogeneous subgroup of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NEN) is the best classified and investigated group. ⋯ In order to achieve a better overview, it was consciously decided not to use an approach based on the primary localization. Instead, a thematic organization according to classification, clinical phenotype, diagnostics and treatment was chosen.
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The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has far reaching effects on society, the economy and medical treatment. It is all the more important to understand the characteristics of the virus and to utilize them diagnostically, therapeutically and epidemiologically. This article firstly elucidates the medical importance of coronaviruses in general. ⋯ Thanks to modern techniques thousands of SARS-CoV‑2 sequences are already available, which show a genomic variability. The D614G mutation in the S spikes seems to cause a higher infectiosity. Mutations can impair the diagnostics and treatment, which makes monitoring necessary.
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Case Reports
[Proximal myopathy and fulminant heart failure in a 57 year-old female patient with lupus erythematosus].
A case report is presented of fulminant hydroxychloroquine-induced cardiomyopathy in a 57 year-old female patient with a long history of systemic lupus erythematosus. Diagnosis was established based on clinical findings, imaging (echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging) as well as endomyocardial biopsy. Despite immediate discontinuation of the medication, the patient died from heart failure within a few days. Since the rare adverse effect described here might be reversible, early diagnosis and discontinuation of hydroxychloroquine are crucial for the prognosis of these patients.