Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) belong to the current “pantheon” of “superbugs” causing human infections primarily in the hospital setting. Enterococci are a type of Gram-positive bacteria that are part of the intestinal flora. They are opportunistic pathogens, causing infections primarily in immunocompromised patients, especially when the gut mucosal barrier has been broken. Two species cause virtually […]
Tuberculosis, Singapore Curiously, a report of 2 SMRT train drivers and a crew manager being diagnosed with TB made it to the news today. Only one among them had active disease – the other two were diagnosed with latent tuberculosis which is non-infectious. Such cases are rarely highlighted in our mainstream media. The risk of tuberculosis […]
A middle-aged man with sudden onset of painful lesions on both lower limbs. No prior significant exposures or clinical symptoms. No fever. Questions: What is the clinical diagnosis? How should this person be worked up and treated? This is a clear cut case of erythema nodosum. Skin biopsy would show panniculitis, but it is unnecessary […]
Our first National Reading Day was 30th July, yesterday. This is part of a 5-year National Reading Movement, which unfortunately appears to have all the hallmarks of past national campaigns. Nonetheless, reading is something I enjoy tremendously, and wished I could set aside more time to do. Trying to inculcate a love of reading in my […]
A non-systematic mention of outbreaks that have caught my attention this week. For a more comprehensive search, there is ProMED Mail. One can also skim through the MOH’s weekly infectious diseases bulletin, which is only about local notifiable diseases (where one can quickly see that we have had more dengue and HFMD cases compared to […]
I read a recent review in Clinical Infectious Diseases (the second-ranked premier ID journal, depending on ranking criteria) on the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) ranking of antibiotics a couple of days ago. The WHO has ranked antimicrobial agents according to their importance for human medicine since 2007, and has updated the list every 3 years or so. […]
Here is a vignette contributed by a Respiratory colleague: A middle-aged lady with IgA nephropathy on hemodialysis for 6 months presented with a one-month history of fever. Septic work up was negative and she did not respond to multiple courses of antibiotics. A CT thorax was subsequently performed. Question(s): What are the differential diagnoses and what should be […]
It was nice to receive a certificate of appreciation from the SG50 Steering Committee half a year after our project was completed (although the signature is likely an electronic one). Our various interview videos and the documentary are still available on YouTube on our own channel. The hardcover book is still available at Kinokuniya (although […]
An outbreak of canine leptospirosis in Singapore made it to the news yesterday. There were 17 suspected and 1 confirmed case for the year to date (up from 2 cases in 2015), 12 of which were linked to a single dog daycare centre. There may also have been a case of dog-to-human transmission – According […]
I attended my first NUS Commencement last Sunday evening as one of the faculty for the School of Public Health. It was a joint commencement for both the old School of Medicine and the new School of Public Health, held at the University Cultural Centre. Everyone was dressed in antiquated-looking (but somehow impressive) academic gowns, […]
MIPHIDIC 