Gonorrhea
is one of the earliest known human diseases with biblical references dating back to the Old Testament.1,2 The Greek physician Galen (130–200 AD) first used the term gonorrhoeae to describe an “unwanted excretion of semen.”2 The slang phrase “the clap” originated in 1378, derived from Les Clapiers, a district in Paris where prostitutes lived.1 The causative organism Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a Gram-negative diplococcus with a marked tropism for human mucosal surfaces.1,3 To date, it continues to be a common cause of urethritis in men and cervicitis in women, which can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease as well as...
Source: Disease a Month - April 19, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Mackenzie K. Morgan, Catherine F. Decker Source Type: research
Non-gonococcal urethritis
With over 200,000 cases in the U.S. each year, urethritis represents a common condition seen by both primary care providers and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinics. Urethritis is urethral inflammation and historically, the term urethritis was reserved for patients with urethral discharge. However, other symptoms can occur in men without discharge such as penile itching and/or dysuria. A diagnosis can be made if at least one of the following is present: a discharge, a positive leukocyte esterase test on first void urine, or at least 10 white blood cells per high power filed in urine sediment. (Source: Disease a Month)
Source: Disease a Month - April 19, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Matthew J. Perkins, Catherine F. Decker Source Type: research
Pelvic inflammatory disease
(PID) is a polymicrobial infection-induced inflammation that involves the upper female genital tract, including the endometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and peritoneum, that primarily affects young sexually active women.1,2 PID is a major concern because it can lead to such complications as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. These complications can occur at high rates, and despite a clinical response to appropriate antimicrobial therapy, long-term outcome of treatment is still suboptimal and reproductive complications are frequent. (Source: Disease a Month)
Source: Disease a Month - April 19, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Gavin W. Ford, Catherine F. Decker Source Type: research
Other sexually transmitted diseases chancroid and donovanosis
Chancroid and donovanosis (or granuloma inguinale) are two genital ulcer diseases (GUD) rarely encountered sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the United States (US). Not only can these diseases cause significant morbidity in and of themselves (donovanosis in particular can cause severe scarring and destruction of involved areas), but GUD has also been associated with increased transmission of HIV, especially in heterosexual populations.1 Chancroid is caused by the fastidious bacteria Haemophilus ducreyi and donovanosis is caused by the intracellular bacteria Klebsiella granulomatis. (Source: Disease a Month)
Source: Disease a Month - April 19, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Nathanial K. Copeland, Catherine F. Decker Source Type: research
Chlamydia trachomatis infections
For more than 20 years, chlamydial infections, caused by the obligate intracellular bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), have been the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States.1 Young age is a strong predictor of CT infection, particularly prevalent in individuals younger than 25 years. Infections caused by CT are often asymptomatic in both men and women so routine screening is essential for the detection of infection. Its asymptomatic nature facilitates transmission between partners. (Source: Disease a Month)
Source: Disease a Month - April 14, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Alison B. Lane, Catherine F. Decker Source Type: research
Syphilis
is caused by the spirochete bacterium, Treponema pallidum and was first recognized as a sexually transmitted disease in the 1400s.1 Syphilis is transmitted sexually via direct contact with mucocutaneous syphilitic lesions (e.g., chancre and condyloma lata) or during pregnancy via vertical transmission from the mother to the fetus.2 Average incubation time is 21 days, but can range from 10 to 90 days.2 Risk factors for syphilis infection include men who have sex with men (MSM), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, having a partner with syphilis infection, previous syphilis infection, high-risk sexual behavior (def...
Source: Disease a Month - April 14, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Christa A. Eickhoff, Catherine F. Decker Source Type: research
Chlamydia trachomatis infections
For more than 20 years, chlamydial infections, caused by the obligate intracellular bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), have been the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States.1 Young age is a strong predictor of CT infection, particularly prevalent in individuals younger than 25 years. Infections caused by CT are often asymptomatic in both men and women so routine screening is essential for the detection of infection. Its asymptomatic nature facilitates transmission between partners. (Source: Disease a Month)
Source: Disease a Month - April 14, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Alison B. Lane, Catherine F. Decker Source Type: research
Syphilis
is caused by the spirochete bacterium, Treponema pallidum and was first recognized as a sexually transmitted disease in the 1400s.1 Syphilis is transmitted sexually via direct contact with mucocutaneous syphilitic lesions (e.g., chancre and condyloma lata) or during pregnancy via vertical transmission from the mother to the fetus.2 Average incubation time is 21 days, but can range from 10 to 90 days.2 Risk factors for syphilis infection include men who have sex with men (MSM), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, having a partner with syphilis infection, previous syphilis infection, high-risk sexual behavior (def...
Source: Disease a Month - April 14, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Christa A. Eickhoff, Catherine F. Decker Source Type: research
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A guide for the primary care physician
“Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a common preventable and treatable disease, is characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced inflammatory response in the airways and the lung to noxious particles or gases. Exacerbations and comorbidities contribute to the overall severity in individual patients.”1 (Source: Disease a Month)
Source: Disease a Month - April 13, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Gautam Raju Mehta, Rafat Mohammed, Sarah Sarfraz, Tajwaar Khan, Khansa Ahmed, Mauricio Villareal, Dennis Martinez, Joy Iskander, Rachid Mohammed Source Type: research
Pulmonary arterial hypertension and associated conditions
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) refers to an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure, defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥25mmHg at rest, that if left untreated may progress to right ventricle dysfunction and failure.1 Worldwide, pulmonary hypertension associated with schistosomiasis is considered the most common form of the disease.2 In the United States, post-capillary pulmonary hypertension due to left heart dise ase is the most prevalent form of PH. (Source: Disease a Month)
Source: Disease a Month - April 11, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ali Ataya, Sheylan Patel, Jessica Cope, Hassan Alnuaimat Source Type: research
Pulmonary arterial hypertension and associated conditions
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) refers to an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure, defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥25mmHg at rest, that if left untreated may progress to right ventricle dysfunction and failure.1 Worldwide, pulmonary hypertension associated with schistosomiasis is considered the most common form of the disease.2 In the United States, post-capillary pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease is the most prevalent form of PH. (Source: Disease a Month)
Source: Disease a Month - April 11, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ali Ataya, Sheylan Patel, Jessica Cope, Hassan Alnuaimat Source Type: research
Foreword
One of the most common clinical issues confronting the primary care physician is that of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). In fact, primary care physicians are usually the first clinician to see patients presenting with a STD. It is up to the primary care physician to not only identify and treat these patients, but also to educate, counsel, and teach prevention of further episodes and complications from STDs. (Source: Disease a Month)
Source: Disease a Month - April 10, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Jerrold B. Leikin Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Disease a Month)
Source: Disease a Month - March 31, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Title Page
(Source: Disease a Month)
Source: Disease a Month - March 31, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
