Medical science, drawn into focus.

Cushing's Disease

Overview Cushing's disease is a ACTH dependent syndrome characterised by excess corticosteroid production from the adrenal glands. It is ACTH dependent because it is triggered by an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumour. Cushing's syndrome is an over arching term to describe hypercortisolaemia dependent of independent of ACTH. Adrenal Cushing's syndrome is different because it is hypercortisolaemia independent…

VEXAS Syndrome

Overview VEXAS syndrome is a late-onset, adult autoinflammatory disease caused by acquired somatic mutations in the UBA1 gene, leading to dysregulated innate immunity, systemic inflammation, and overlapping haematologic and rheumatologic manifestations.  VEXAS stands for Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic. It predominantly affects older males due to its X-linked nature and typically presents with refractory…

Goodpasture Syndrome (Anti-GBM disease)

Overview Goodpasture syndrome, now more precisely termed anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease , is a rare autoimmune small-vessel vasculitis affecting lungs and kidneys, typically manifesting with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.  Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) has an estimated incidence of approximately 0.5 to 1.8 cases per million per year. It demonstrates a bimodal age…

Community Acquired Pneumonia

Overview Community acquired pneumonia occur in individuals who are not in hospital (or have been in hospital in the past 48 hours) and who are not significantly immunocompromised. The World Health Organization estimates that lower respiratory tract infection is the most common infectious cause of death in the world. Choice of antibiotics are usually empirical…

Takayasu Arteritis 

Overview Takayasu arteritis is a rare, chronic large-vessel vasculitis primarily affecting the aorta and its major branches, leading to stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysm formation. It most commonly affects young women (<40 years), particularly of Asian descent. The global incidence is estimated at 1–2 per million per year, with a female predominance (F:M ~9:1). It is…

Asthma (Adults)

Clinical features of asthma such as dyspnoea, chest tightness and wheezing can mimic other respiratory conditions. It is important to take a careful history and examination and ideally demonstrate reversible airflow obstruction. Other clinical features of asthma arise during periods of bronchoconstriction (ie. exercise, smoking, stress, cold air). Exacerbation of asthma confounds the breathing difficulty, cough and wheeze in patients.

Chagas Disease

Authors Megan Miner  Armando Faigl  Overview Chagas disease is caused by the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and is potentially life-threatening. These parasites often live within triatomine bugs. Following a bite to the skin, these bugs, also known as “kissing bugs”, deposit fecal matter near the site of the bite. Their bite, unfortunately, causes…

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