Brit J Hosp Med
-
COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented pandemic and medical emergency that has changed routine care pathways. This article discusses the extent of aerosolisation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as a result of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy. ⋯ As it is a highly infectious disease, clinicians treating patients with COVID-19 require effective personal protective equipment. The main routes of infection are direct contact and droplets in the air and on surfaces. Aerosolisation carries a substantial risk of infection, so any aerosol-producing procedure, such as endoscopy, should be performed wearing personal protective equipment and with extra caution to protect the endoscopist, staff and patients from cross-infection via the respiratory system.
-
Review Case Reports
Novel treatments for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a rare demyelinating disorder of the CNS, caused by John Cunningham virus, that occurs in those with impaired immune systems. Existing treatment options are ineffective or unproven. This article reviews research into novel therapies: immune checkpoint-blocking antibodies (nivolumab and pembrolizumab), allogenic BK virus-specific T cell treatment and filgrastim. Results for these therapies in small clinical trials are promising, but further research is required to assess efficacy fully.