Diseases Commons^™

Extracellular Mitochondria Released From Traumatized Brains Induced Platelet Procoagulant Activity, Zilong Zhao, Yuan Zhou, Tristan Hilton, Fanjian Li, Cha Han, Li Liu, Hengjie Yuan, Ying Li, Xin Xu, Xiaoping Wu, Fangyi Zhang, Perumal Thiagarajan, Andrew Cap, Fu-Dong Shi, Jianning Zhang, Jing-Fei Dong

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Coagulopathy often develops soon after acute traumatic brain injury and its cause remains poorly understood. We have shown that injured brains release cellular microvesicles that disrupt the endothelial barrier and induce consumptive coagulopathy. Morphologically intact extracellular mitochondria accounted for 55.2% of these microvesicles, leading to the hypothesis that these extracellular mitochondria are metabolically active and serve as a source of oxidative stress that activates platelets and renders them procoagulant. In testing this hypothesis experimentally, we found that the extracellular mitochondria purified from brain trauma mice and those released from brains subjected to freeze-thaw injury remained metabolically active and produced reactive …

Aromatase Inhibitors Plus Weight Loss Improves The Hormonal Profile Of Obese Hypogonadal Men Without Causing Major Side Effects, Georgia Colleluori, Rui Chen, Christie G Turin, Francesca Vigevano, Clifford Qualls, Biju Johnson, Sanjay Mediwala, Dennis T Villareal, Reina Armamento-Villareal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: In obese men, the increased expression of the aromatase enzyme in adipose tissue leads to high conversion of androgens to estrogens contributing to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HHG). Our objective is to evaluate efficacy and safety of weight loss (WL) plus aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy in severely obese men with HHG. We hypothesize that AI+WL will be more effective as compared to WL alone in improving the hormonal profile, thus muscle strength and symptoms of HHG (primary outcomes), with no significant adverse effects on lean mass, metabolic profile, and bone mineral density (secondary outcomes).

Design: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial.

Methods: …

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Presenting Initially As Spinal Cord Compression: When Chemotherapy Alone Is Enough, Albert Jang, Kallie N Kram, Scott N Berger, Mahmoud R Gaballa, Lee B Lu, David R Dunaway, Courtney N Miller-Chism

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Spinal cord compression (SCC) is a rare initial presentation and complication of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with nearly all reported cases occurring in the pediatric population. We report a 38-year-old previously healthy man who presented with acute on chronic lower back pain, gait instability, urinary retention, and severe thrombocytopenia. Radiologic examination revealed two soft tissue masses of the thoracic spine associated with compression fractures causing spinal canal narrowing and cord compression. Bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of ALL. Immediate initiation of high-dose corticosteroids and systemic chemotherapy resolved the patient's symptoms without radiation therapy or surgical intervention. After two courses …

Spironolactone In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Results Of A Cross-Over Study, Zeenat Safdar, Adaani Frost, Arya Basant, Anita Deswal, E O'Brian Smith, Mark Entman

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system is implicated in the pathophysiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension. We undertook this study to determine the effects of spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor blocker, on collagen metabolism in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients. After obtaining institutional review board approval and informed consent, 42 pulmonary arterial hypertension patients were prospectively enrolled and 35 patients completed the 16-week randomized double-blinded crossover clinical trial. Subjects received 50 mg spironolactone or placebo and at the end of week 8, treatment arm was switched. Circulating levels of collagen biomarkers, brain natriuretic peptide, and aldosterone levels were measured, and six-minute walk distance, liver function tests, …

Utilization Of A Continuous Pericapsular Nerve Group (Peng) Block With An Opioid-Sparing Repair Of A Femoral Neck Fracture In A Pediatric Patient, Karla Wyatt, Moustafa Zidane, Chyong-Jy Joyce Liu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

In the pediatric population, femoral neck fractures are usually associated with high-impact trauma and often present with pain in the groin area. Regional anesthesia can offer adjunctive therapy for acute pain management. Various techniques have been employed to circumvent pain related to hip fractures and resultant hip surgery. Neuraxial, lumbar plexus, caudal, epidural, fascia iliaca, and femoral continuous nerve block techniques are advantageous in mitigating hip pain. However, these approaches require patient repositioning during placement and carry the potential for motor blockade with resultant weakness. A newly described method, the Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block, allows for analgesia of the …

Sirt3 Promotes Lipophagy And Chaperon-Mediated Autophagy To Protect Hepatocytes Against Lipotoxicity, Tian Zhang, Jingxin Liu, Shengnan Shen, Qiang Tong, Xiaojun Ma, Ligen Lin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Lipophagy is a lysosomal lipolytic pathway that complements the actions of cytosolic neutral lipases. Chaperon-mediated autophagy (CMA) triggers lipid droplets (LDs) breakdown, to initiate lipolysis via either cytosolic lipases or macroautophagy. SIRT3, a mitochondrial NAD+-dependent deacetylase, regulates the acetylation status and activity of many substrates involving in energy metabolism. However, the role of SIRT3 in regulating lipophagy is controversial. The current study showed that SIRT3 expression was decreased and the macroautophagy flux was blocked in the primary hepatocytes from high-fat diet fed mice and P/O (palmitic acid and oleic acid mixture) treated AML12 mouse hepatocytes, compared with the corresponding controls. …

Metaproteomic Analysis Of Human Gut Microbiome In Digestive And Metabolic Diseases, Sheng Pan, Ru Chen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Metaproteomics, as a subfield of proteomics, has quickly emerged as a pivotal tool for global characterization of a microbiome system at a functional level. It has been increasingly applied in studying human digestive and metabolic diseases, and provides information-rich data to identify the dysbiosis of human gut microbiome related to healthy or disease states to elucidate the molecular events underlying host-microbiota interplays. While significant technical challenges still exist, this emerging technology has been demonstrated to provide essential information in interrogating functional changes in the human gut microbiome, complementary to metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. This chapter overviews the overall metaproteomic work flow …

Large Sinus Of Valsalva Aneurysm Complicated By Thrombus Formation, Milan Ravishankar, Ali Ghergherehchi, Jing Liu, Ernesto Jimenez, Umair Khalid

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SOVA) is an unusual cardiac anomaly that is potentially fatal with rupture. It is often asymptomatic but has various presentations. We describe a case of a 67-year-old male who presented with atypical chest pain. Transthoracic echocardiogram and cardiac computed tomography scan confirmed a large SOVA complicated by thrombus formation and compression of the left atrium and left ventricular outflow tract. The patient successfully underwent a Bentall procedure-surgical aortic aneurysm repair with mechanical aortic valve conduit. We discuss several clinical decision-making branch points to highlight the complexity of managing this condition. Even in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic …

Lisinopril-Induced Angioedema In A Patient With Plasma Prekallikrein Deficiency, Swapan K Dasgupta, Stefanie Rivera, Perumal Thiagarajan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are extensively prescribed to treat patients with hypertension, congestive heart failure, and diabetic nephropathy. A small fraction of these patients (approximately 0.7%) develop angioedema, manifested by swelling of the lips and oropharynx. Angioedema of oropharynx is a medical emergency that can lead to asphyxiation and death. The angioedema is due to bradykinin generated from high molecular weight kininogen by kallikrein, which is derived from plasma prekallikrein by action of the factor XIIa, factor Xia, or prolylcarboxypeptidase. Bradykinin induces vasodilation and increased vascular permeability. ACE is the major degrading enzyme of bradykinin in the intravascular department. ACE …

Hypogonadism, Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus, And Bone Health: A Narrative Review, Vittoria Russo, Rui Chen, Reina Armamento-Villareal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

One of the complications from chronic hyperglycemia and insulin resistance due to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in men is the high prevalence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). Both T2DM and hypogonadism are associated with impaired bone health and increased fracture risk but whether the combination results in even worse bone disease than either one alone is not well-studied. It is possible that having both conditions predisposes men to an even greater risk for fracture than either one alone. Given the common occurrence of HH or hypogonadism in general in T2DM, a significant number of men could …

A Remarkable Response Of Granulomatous Hypophysitis To Infliximab In A Patient With A Background Of Crohn's Disease-A Case Report, Bahar K Force, Tiphanie P Vogel, Dang M Nguyen, Kent A Heck, Sherly Sebastian, Mas Takashima, Daniel Yoshor, Susan L Samson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Associated Data

A Case Of Ana-Negative Systemic Sclerosis Treated With Methylprednisolone, Carminda P. Rogacion, Veronica S, Uy, Reynaldo L. Ugalde, Emmerson Gale S. Vista

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Systemic sclerosis is a multi-systemic disease characterized by excessive fibrosis, inflammation, and vasculopathy. Common clinical features include skin thickening, telangiectasias, salt and pepper skin, beak-shaped nose, and microstomy. We report a case of ANA-negative systemic sclerosis in a male patient.

Case illustration: Our patient presented with a 10-month history of diffuse hyperpigmentation, skin tightening and decreased mouth aperture, accompanied by digital ulcers, hypopigmented macules and violaceous discoloration of the digits upon exposure to cold temperature. Punch biopsy done revealed mild acanthosis of the epidermis with basal cell layer hyperpigmentation, vacuolar alteration and thickening of the basement membrane …

Association Between Obesity And History Of Atopy With Atopic Dermatitis In Children: A Cross-Sectional Study, Putu Nila Wardhani Batan, Ariana Ariana, Made Wardhana

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) has rapidly increased in the past 4 decades and has been mostly observed in children. The prevalence of obesity has also significantly increased worldwide, suggesting that the two conditions may be associated.

Methods: This retrospective analytic study involved a cross-sectional design and used secondary data taken from the medical record of patients who visited the Pediatric Dermatology Subdivision at Dermatology and Venereology Polyclinic Sanglah General Hospital from January 2015 to December 2015. Thirty-two samples were selected.

Results: The prevalence ratio of obesity among subjects with AD was 2.178 (95% CI …

Treatment Of Multibacillary Leprosy Following The Development Of Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome, Sudarsono Sudarsono

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) multi-drug therapy (MDT) is the current standard treatment for leprosy. A wide range of frequency of adverse effects caused by MDT has been reported. Dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) is a serious adverse effect caused by dapsone. Prompt withdrawal of dapsone is important aspect in the management of DHS. Alternative regimens are needed to treat leprosy patient with DHS.

Case Illustration: A 37-year-old man with multibacillary (MB) leprosy developed DHS in 39 days after the initiation of WHO MDT. Dapsone was withdrawn and methylprednisolone of 75 mg/day was prescribed. Twelve days after admission the …

Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Bacterial Vaginosis Among Female Sex Workers In Surakarta, Rini Hastuti, Danu Yuliarto, Agung Triana, Willa Damayanti, Rakhma Tri Irfanti, Mardiana Mardiana, Putti Fatiharani Dewi, Ambar Aliwardani, Ervianti Abas, Sulistyo Sulistyo, Prasetyadi Mawardi, Endra Yustin Ellistasari

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age and increases the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Data regarding the association between sexual activity and BV acquisition is contradictory. Thus, tracking the prevalence and associated risk factors of BV among female sex workers (FSWs) is necessary to improve our understanding and control of STDs and the HIV epidemic.

Methods: The subjects of this study were FSWs in Surakarta. This study adopted a cross-sectional design, and diagnosis was established using Amsel criteria. Interviews were conducted …

The Epidemiology Of Skin Cancer At Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General Hospital From 2014 To 2017, Larisa Paramitha Wibawa, Melody Febriana Andardewi, Inge Adi Kristanti, Riesye Arisanty

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: The incidence of skin cancer has been increasing over the past decades globally. At present, there is no valid national cancer data in Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the increment of skin cancer cases at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta.

Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, we evaluated all pigmented skin tumor cases from June 2014 to June 2017. Data were obtained from the Department of Anatomical Pathology and medical records at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital. Data were compared with previous reports.

Results: From 263 skin cancer cases, …

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: Diagnosis And Management, Lusiana Lusiana, Hikari Ambara Sjakti, Githa Rahmayunita, Tjut Nurul Alam Jacoeb, Inge Ade Krisanti

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder characterized by abnormal clonal proliferation of Langerhans dendritic cells. The incidence of LCH is 1 to 3 cases per 1 million children worldwide, and occurs most frequently in children of 1–4 years of age. The etiopathogenesis of LCH, whether it is neoplastic or reactive, is still controversial. Langerhans cell histiocytosis has a wide spectrum of clinical features, and dermatological abnormalities usually occur early. The most frequent lesions are elevated yellowish-red translucent papules about 1–2 mm in diameter and generally located in seborrheic areas. The most recent classification (the Histiocyte Society study 2017) …

The Use Of Systemic Medications In Pediatric Dermatoses: A Review, Shanthi Narla, Githa Rahmayunita, Rinadewi Astriningrum, Tor Shwayder, Ariyati Yosi, Henry W. Lim

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Research has begun to illustrate a favorable efficacy and side-effect profile for many systemic agents used in pediatric dermatological conditions (i.e. atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, scleroderma, alopecia areata, chronic spontaneous urticaria, autoimmune blistering disorders, and hidradenitis suppurativa) despite not having extensive randomized clinical trials. The purpose of this article is to summarize the available data on the treatment regiments, safety, and efficacy of systemic immunosuppressants, including the newer biologics, focusing on the most up-to-date systematic reviews or randomized clinical trials. The review demonstrates that many of the present studies lack data on long-term efficacy and consist of small patient populations. Further …

Recurrent Basal Cell Carcinoma With Maxillary Bone Invasion, Adhimukti T. Sampurna, Eva Riani, Inge Ade Kristanti, Yayi Dwina, Kuniaki Ohara

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a malignant, slow growing, and locally invasive skin tumor. Advanced and neglected BCC may invade adjacent structures. The 5-year recurrence rates of facial BCCs are 4.1% after excision and 2.5% after Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS). The number of BCC cases invading the bones of the head and neck region is limited.

Case Illustration: A 75-year-old male complained of bleeding and ulcer enlargement on the right cheek expanding to the right nasal ala for 1 month. The patient had a history of an enlarged and painful lenticular nodule with a hyperpigmented spot that …

Cholangiocarcinoma Presenting As Humoral Hypercalcemia Of Malignancy: A Case Report And Literature Review, Burak Erdinc, Preethi Ramachandran, Ruchi Yadav, Sonu Sahni, Gardith Joseph

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York) Publications and Research

Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) is most commonly encountered in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of different organs, and It is characterized by elevated parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) levels. It may be seen as a manifestation of cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) at presentation and later in the course of the disease. However, HHM due to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a rare association and is associated with a poor prognosis. We herein report a case of hypercalcemia presenting as the first manifestation of an underlying rare variant of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Our patient is a 57-year-old male who presented to the emergency room with severe symptoms …

Anticipation, Accompaniment, And A Good Death In Perinatal Care., Bryanna S. Moore, Brian S. Carter, Bryan Beaven, Katie House, Joel House

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The ethics of perinatal care, and the experiences of families who receive such care, remains a nascent area of inquiry. It can be hard to see how existing "good death" constructs apply to the experiences of fetal patients and their families. In this paper, we explore two themes raised by a case at our fetal health center: anticipation and accompaniment. In this case, a mother presented to our fetal health center; her unborn son, our fetal patient, was diagnosed with life-threatening hypoplastic left heart syndrome and endocardial fibroelastosis. The parents were told that their son's life expectancy, upon birth, was …

Multitex Rct - A Multifaceted Intervention Package For Protection Against Cotton Dust Exposure Among Textile Workers - A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial In Pakistan: Study Protocol, Asaad Ahmed Nafees, Sara De Matteis, Muhammad Masood Kadir, Peter Burney, David Coggon, Sean Semple, Paul Cullinan

Community Health Sciences

Background: In the Pakistani textile industry the prevalence of workplace respiratory illnesses, including byssinosis, is high. The MultiTex RCT study aims to determine the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention package in reducing dust levels in cotton mills, decreasing the frequency of respiratory symptoms among cotton textile workers, and improving their lung function.
Methods/design: We will conduct a cluster-randomized controlled trial at 28 textile mills in Karachi. The intervention will comprise: training in occupational health for all workers and managers reinforced by regular refresher sessions; the formation of workplace committees to draw up, agree and promote a health and safety plan …

Long Term Outcomes Of Surgical And Clinical Symptoms Following Minimally Invasive Heller Myotomy: A Retrospective Clinical Database Review, Laura E. Flores, Priscila Rodrigues Armijo, Bhavani Pokala, Sarah Samreen, Dmitry Oleynikov

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

I

Introduction

Minimally invasive Heller myotomy rates have increased, but little evidence is available regarding long term clinical and surgical outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate long term symptom improvement and medication resolution for patients undergoing minimally invasive Heller myotomy.

Methods

A single-institution database was retrospectively reviewed for patients undergoing laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) or robotic Heller myotomy (RHM) during 2007-2018. Patients with primary HM followed by a Dor fundoplication were included. Demographics and surgical data were analyzed. Esophageal symptoms, testing, and medication use were collected preoperatively (pre-op), at 6-month (6-mo), 12-month (12-mo), and long-term (LT; 12-mo+) follow-up. Analysis was …

Subanesthetic Iv Ketamine Reduces Acute Suicidal Ideation In Patients With Mood Disorders, Kimberly Jenko, Jack Anzilotti

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2016 to 2019

Background. Depression and suicide are common in the United States and present a significant problem in the healthcare landscape. Currently, there are few options that can rapidly reduce suicidal ideation in patients with depression. Ketamine, a glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has been shown to reduce acute suicidality in patients with depression. Previous studies have a reduction of suicidal ideation compared to saline placebo, but few studies have shown a significant effect compared to a similar psychoactive drug such as midazolam.

Method. A search of PubMed and PsychNET was performed in September 2018 using the terms “ketamine,” “suicide,” …

Does Dispensing Naloxone Kits To High-Risk Patients At The Time Of Emergency Department (Ed) Discharge Reduce The Burden Of Subsequent Overdose-Related Care?, Steven D. Perry, Charleen Gnisci, Rachel Beham

Emergency Medicine

Purpose: The rates of opioid-related overdose and death have remained at or near historically high levels despite reform in pharmaceutical opioid prescribing trends. This study will determine if a recently implemented protocol which aims to provide high-risk patients with naloxone emergency kits at the time of ED discharge has reduced the need for subsequent overdose-related care to a greater degree than providing the same patients with written outpatient naloxone prescriptions. Patients currently receive either intervention upon discharge from the ED based on a protocolized, criteria-based, provider-implemented decision-making tree that identifies patients at high risk for subsequent overdose.

Methods: This study …

Impact Of Required Antibiotic Stop Dates And Indications On Length Of Treatment In Hospitalized Patients With Pneumonia, Amanda Haddad, Kathryn Hernando, Kayihura Manigaba, Abigail Antigua

Infectious Disease

Purpose: The CDC Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs recommends implementing policies to support optimal antibiotic prescribing including documentation of dose, duration and indication. On January 31, 2017, the study institution implemented new physician order entry screens in the electronic health record requiring the input of indication and duration on all antibiotic orders. The objective of this study is to determine if implementation of mandatory indication and duration for antibiotic orders decreases antibiotic duration of therapy in hospitalized patients with pneumonia.

Methods: This study was submitted to the Institutional Review Committee for approval. The clinical pharmacy surveillance platform, …

Impact Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Mrsa) Nasal Swab On Total Duration Of Mrsa Therapy For Pneumonia Patients, Darren D. Yum, Kayihura Manigaba, Danielle Gagne, Heather Ellis

Infectious Disease

Purpose: Recent literature has highlighted MRSA nasal screening as a possible antimicrobial stewardship program tool for avoiding unnecessary empiric anti-MRSA therapy for pneumonia. MRSA is an important cause of pneumonia and clinicians must determine when empiric antimicrobial therapy directed toward this pathogen is needed. Negative MRSA nasal swab has been shown to have a high negative predictive value ( >95%) across different types of pneumonia. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of negative MRSA nasal swabs on the duration of anti-MRSA therapy in a community hospital setting.

Methods: This study will be submitted to the institutional …

Postpartum Endometritis And Infection Following Incomplete Or Complete Abortion: Case Definition & Guidelines For Data Collection, Analysis, And Presentation Of Maternal Immunization Safety Data, C E. Rouse, L O. Eckert, F M. Muñoz, J S A. Stringer, S Kochhar, L Bartlett, M Sanicas, D J. Dudley, D M. Harper, Fyezah Jehan

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Abstract are not provided by the author/publisher

Ramucirumab: A New Agent For Advanced Or Metastatic Gastric Junction Adenocarcinoma, Adam Smith, Rebecca Worden, Jessica Hoffert, Brendon Rasor, Hannah Stewart, David Koh

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Ramucirumab (Cyramza®), approved April 21, 2014, is a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) antagonist with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indication for the treatment of advanced or metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Gastric cancer is a prevalent cancer in the United States with a poor prognosis. The phase 3 trial, REGARD, shows that ramucirumab, when used within four months after the last dose of first-line chemotherapy or six months after the last dose of adjuvant chemotherapy, increases overall survival. Also, ramucirumab has been included in combination therapy, such as in the RAINBOW trial, which demonstrated its effectiveness …

Outbreak Of Ebola Virus Disease, Alexandra Dimit, Tiffany Kneuss, Joelle Farano, Haley Armstrong, Jodi Otte, Andrew M. Roecker

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Ebola virus disease (EVD) has existed as a major health concern with devastating and, many times, fatal symptoms. The recent outbreaks of EVD in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have incited international concern. In this article, the implications of EVD will be discussed including the etiology, transmission, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In addition to this discussion, the manner in which major health care organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), are dealing with treating infected patients and containing spread of the disease will be covered.