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Accelerated muscle aging, known as sarcopenia, is a geriatric condition that poses significant health risks both for individuals and society. Hospitalization can trigger a sudden deterioration of sarcopenia, making it imperative to find effective interventions targeting this acute sarcopenia. Drug repurposing, which involves utilizing 'old' medications for new indications, could be a cost-effective and faster solution as the safety of these drugs has already been established in the old population. The authors propose that short-term use of low-dose statins may be a promising option for preventing and treating acute sarcopenia. This hypothesis is based on the mechanisms of action of statins, which demonstrate hormesis-like effects with no direct muscle-toxic effects at low doses, as well as muscle-beneficial indirect effects through other body systems such as the immune-endothelial system and the gut microbiota at low doses. Additionally, supportive observational studies suggest beneficial muscle effects in inflammatory subgroups of older people, with a safe track record of statins in older people at short-term low doses. Therefore, it is hypothesized that statins may be of potential benefit in combating acute sarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chlamydia psittaci is a gram-negative, obligate intracellular organism. Birds are the main reservoir, but also non-avian domestic animals and humans can be infected. In humans it mostly causes respiratory infections due to occupational exposure with varying severity. Sensitive and specific diagnostic tests are needed to define psittacosis in humans as these tests also allow rapid tracing of the animal source. However, diagnosis in humans is often based on time-consuming culture techniques and antibody detection assays as in many countries, the existing molecular diagnostic tests for psittacosis are not reimbursed by the public health insurance. Case presentation An 82-year old female was referred to the hospital with a non-productive cough since four weeks and since one week fever up to 39 °C, myalgia, generalized skin rash, acral edema and generalized weakness under treatment with moxifloxacin. Blood analysis showed signs of inflammation with mild eosinophilia. Chest CT showed multiple peripheral ground glass opacities with consolidation in both lungs. Pulmonary function testing only showed a mild decrease in diffusion capacity. Viral and bacterial serology were negative. As the patient kept a pet parakeet for over ten years, a nested PCR for C. psittaci was performed on a nasopharyngeal swab of the patient and on feces of the parakeet. Both returned positive for the same genotype. Genotyping was performed by a genotype-specific real-time PCR. The patient fully recovered after a ten-day course of azithromycin. Conclusion Due to non-specific signs during psittacosis, early detection of the infection and differentiation from hypersensitivity pneumonitis can be challenging. Culture and antibody titers for C. psittaci have a lower sensitivity than PCR-testing due to several factors. We present a case of human psittacosis (presenting as pneumonia) with diagnosis based on clinical findings confirmed by means of nested PCR. This case suggests the added value of PCR in suspect cases despite negative serology. Our current paper underlines the need for a broader implementation of PCR for early diagnosis of human psittacosis and thus early initiation of correct antibiotic treatment with reduction of morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]