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Syphilis is an old disease that remains to be a major threat in the modern world. In the last decade, we have seen an exponential rise in the number of new cases. While this surge is universal, some places appear to be more affected than others, such as the southern and midwestern states in the United States. In Missouri, the syphilis epidemic strikes almost everywhere, from rural to metropolitan areas, affecting various age groups and subpopulations. We conducted this narrative review focusing on published data regarding syphilis in Missouri, and discussing contemporary risk factors for such an unprecedented spread, and treatment and prevention options. While rurality, social stigma, and medication shortage play a role in this disease spread, new plans are being adopted in the state for mitigation of its burden., Competing Interests: Disclosure: DD received research support funding from Viiv and Gilead for different projects. No funding has been received for this project. Remaining authors have no disclosures. Artificial intelligence was not used in the study, research, preparation, or writing of this manuscript., (Copyright 2024 by the Missouri State Medical Association.)

High patient volume in fellowship programs can affect learning, wellness, and patient outcomes. Training programs must find ways to mitigate high consultation volume to protect the learning environment. This survey describes average new consults and average censuses for infectious diseases training programs and strategies implemented to mitigate high volume., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. All authors: No reported conflicts., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Diagnostic tests for the coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) are critical for prompt diagnosis, treatment and isolation to break the cycle of transmission. A positive real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in conjunction with clinical and epidemiologic data, is the current standard for diagnosis, but several challenges still exist. Serological assays help to understand epidemiology better and to evaluate vaccine responses but they are unreliable for diagnosis in the acute phase of illness or assuming protective immunity. Serology is gaining attention, mainly because of convalescent plasma gaining importance as treatment for clinically worsening COVID-19 patients. We provide a narrative review of peer-reviewed research studies on RT-PCR, serology and antigen immune-assays for COVID-19, briefly describe their lab methods and discuss their limitations for clinical practice., (Copyright 2020 by the Missouri State Medical Association.)

Background: There is lack of specific data on imported infections in the mid-west United States (U.S.)., Methods: Retrospective data on demographic and geographic data of imported infections seen by the infectious diseases clinics and consultation service from 2001-2018 was collected., Results: Of the 64 infections, tuberculosis(TB) was most common [20(31.3%); pulmonary(11,55%), lymphadenopathy(8,40%), gastrointestinal(4,20%), disseminated(2,10%), and 1(5%) each of genitourinary and vertebral spine infection, 4 Human immune-deficiency virus infection and 1 echinococcosis)] followed by malaria(11,17.2%). Other infections: Cysticercosis [7,10.9%], giardiasis (4,6.3%), 3 each (4.7%) Human T-lymphotrophic Virus infection and schistosomiasis, 2 each (3.1%) leprosy, strongyloidiasis, and typhoid fever, one each (1.6%) of ascariasis, brucellosis, Chagas disease, Chikungunya virus, hepatitis A virus, echinococcosis, Japanese encephalitis virus, loiasis, paratyphoid fever, Q fever, and unspecified parasitosis. Geographic origins: Africa(26,40.6%), Asia(16,25%), Central America(11,17.2%), Europe(2,3.1%), Oceania(2,3.1%), South America(2,3.1%), and Unknown(5). More cases were seen after 2015., Conclusions: With increasing tourism, it is important to educate rural mid-west healthcare professionals on travel medicine. The current COVID-19 pandemic illustrates the importance of this type of education and data accumulation now and in the future., (Copyright 2020 by the Missouri State Medical Association.)

On December 13, 2017, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) was notified of a suspected case of Chagas disease in a Missouri woman. The patient had donated blood, and laboratory screening revealed antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. Evaluation by physicians found no clinical symptoms consistent with Chagas disease. The patient had no travel history that would have suggested a significant risk for Chagas disease risk and had no occupational exposure to the disease agent. She had never received a blood transfusion or organ transplant. Confirmatory testing of the patient's serum at CDC for T. cruzi antibody was consistent with infection. These findings raise the possibility that the exposure to T. cruzi occurred locally (autochthonously) in Missouri. Although the insect vector for the parasite T. cruzi, triatomines (commonly known as "kissing bugs"), has been identified previously in Missouri, no locally acquired human cases of Chagas disease have been identified in the state. Health care providers and public health professionals should be aware of the possibility of locally acquired Chagas disease in the southern United States., Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

The use of blood cultures as a diagnostic tool has increased over the years along with improvements in techniques and results. The diagnostic dilemma arises when blood cultures are positive and there is possibility of contamination. Hence obtaining blood cultures in the appropriate setting and the interpretation of blood cultures by the hospitalist is imperative to the management of the hospitalized patient.

Primary Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is often not suspected as a cause of fever of unknown origin (FUO) in immune-competent adults. We present a case-series of symptomatic primary CMV infection in immunocompetent adults presenting as fever of unknown origin (FUO). All patients with CMV serology tested between November 2008 and June 2016 underwent chart review. Cases were defined as those between 18 and 65 years of age with documented fever and elevated serum anti-CMV IgM. Exclusion criteria were organ specific CMV disease, positive serum anti-EBV IgM, or presence of any immunocompromising condition. Sixteen patients (69% male, mean age 42.2 ± 11.7 years) met criteria. Mean duration of illness was 4.6 ± 3.3 weeks. Common symptoms other than fever included fatigue (94%), night sweats (81%), malaise (75%), myalgias (63%), and headache (56%). Eleven patients (68.8%) had contact with young children; six (35.3%) patients had children in daycare. Twelve (75%) patients had extensive testing and multiple visits or hospitalizations prior to consulting with an infectious disease specialist. Peripheral smear was done in twelve (75%) patients and all had atypical lymphocytes. Five patients (31.3%) had a leukocytosis. Peak serum transaminases were: AST 115.25 ± 50.5 IU/L and ALT 168.38 ± 92.0 IU/L. One patient had splenic infarcts. In addition, two cases of hydrops fetalis were attributed to primary CMV infection. In summary, primary CMV infection can present as FUO in immunocompetent adults. Contact with young children in daycare may be a risk factor. Heightened clinical suspicion will promote earlier diagnosis and avoid unnecessary testing.

Background: In endemic regions, histoplasmosis is often seen in hosts with defective cell mediated immunity. We report a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), a disorder mainly characterized by B cell defects., Case: A 35 year old male with CVID developed fever, headache, dyspnea and pancytopenia within few weeks of swimming in the Tennessee River. After a non-revealing initial evaluation he was transferred to a tertiary facility for fever of unknown origin, where massive splenomegaly was noted. Clinical course was complicated by hypoxia from extensive bilateral lung infiltrates requiring non-invasive ventilation. Urine and serum Histoplasma antigens were positive. He was treated with liposomal amphotericin B followed by itraconazole after clinical improvement within 48 h and discharged home by day 6. Fungal blood cultures sent on day 1 grew Histoplasma capsulatum on day 19. After 5 months splenomegaly completely resolved and he successfully completed one year of treatment with itraconazole., Conclusions: Our case highlights the significance of T cell defects in CVID. More research focusing on T cell defects in CVID is required to understand the extent of vulnerability to such intracellular pathogens in CVID.

Ehrlichiosis in lung transplant (LT) recipients is associated with severe outcomes. Ehrlichia ewingii is a less frequent cause of symptomatic ehrlichiosis, characterized by cytoplasmic inclusions (morulae) within circulating neutrophils. We report a case of E. ewingii infection in an LT recipient diagnosed promptly by blood smear exam and confirmed with molecular studies., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Human rabies is a fatal disease, transmitted by saliva of infected animals, and the diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Very few cases are reported annually in the United States. We present a case of human rabies without a clear exposure history that masqueraded as serotonin syndrome., (© The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.)