Disseminated Gonococcal Infection With Dermatitis-Arthritis Syndrome

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by gram-negative diplococci, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Disseminated gonorrhea is diagnosed infrequently, partly due to low suspicion at the time of presentation, and at times, due to overlapping symptoms associated with non-infectious conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this article, we present a 42-year-old sexually active female with knee pain and swelling, fever, and rash. Knee aspirate showed the presence of monosodium urate crystals, and the synovial culture grew gram-negative diplococci, requiring multiple joint washouts. The urine nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) was indeterminate. She was treated with high-dose intravenous ceftriaxone for one week post-joint washout with rapid improvement in her condition and resolution of the rash.

Recent advances in the diagnosis of COVID-19: a bird's eye view

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic is still escalating and has shaped an extraordinary and pressing need for rapid diagnostics with high sensitivity and specificity. Prompt diagnosis is the key to mitigate this situation. As several diagnostic tools for COVID-19 are already available and others are still under development, mandating a comprehensive review of the efficacy of existing tools and evaluate the potential of others.

AREAS COVERED

Currently explored platforms for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics and surveillance centered on qRT-PCR, RT-PCR, CRISPR, microarray, LAMP, lateral flow immunoassays, proteomics-based approaches, and radiological scans are overviewed and summarized in this review along with their advantages and downsides. A narrative literature review was carried out by accessing the freely available online databases to encapsulate the developments in medical diagnostics.

EXPERT OPINION

An ideal detection method should be sensitive, specific, rapid, cost-effective, and should allow early diagnosis of the infection as near as possible to the point of care that could alter the current situation for the better. Medical diagnostics is a highly dynamic field as no diagnostic method available for SARS-CoV-2 detection offers a perfect solution and requires more attention and continuous R&D to challenge the present-day pandemic situation.

Impact of Chlamydia trachomatis in the reproductive setting: British Fertility Society Guidelines for practice

Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the genital tract is the most common sexually transmitted infection and has a world-wide distribution. The consequences of infection have an adverse effect on the reproductive health of women and are a common cause of infertility. Recent evidence also suggests an adverse effect on male reproduction. There is a need to standardise the approach in managing the impact of C. trachomatis infection on reproductive health. We have surveyed current UK practice towards screening and management of Chlamydia infections in the fertility setting. We found that at least 90% of clinicians surveyed offered screening. The literature on this topic was examined and revealed a paucity of solid evidence for estimating the risks of long-term reproductive sequelae following lower genital tract infection with C. trachomatis. The mechanism for the damage that occurs after Chlamydial infections is uncertain. However, instrumentation of the uterus in women with C. trachomatis infection is associated with a high risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, which can be prevented by appropriate antibiotic treatment and may prevent infected women from being at increased risk of the adverse sequelae, such as ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility. Recommendations for practice have been proposed and the need for further studies is identified.