Primers in 2019

Follicular lymphoma is an indolent malignancy composed of transformed follicular germinal centre B cells. In this Primer, Carbone and colleagues discuss the epidemiology, mechanisms and the recent developments in the treatment of this disease.

Diphtheria is a respiratory infection typically caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains; it prevalently affects children and can be fatal. Diphtheria can by effectively prevented by vaccination, but decreasing levels of vaccine coverage in several countries are promoting the resurgence of the disease.

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae that affects millions of people worldwide, and its incidence is increasing in many settings. The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae threatens to leave affected individuals with no effective treatments.

This Primer by Thébaud and colleagues discusses the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a type of lung disease that can occur in preterm infants.

Craniopharyngiomas are rare malformational intracranial tumours that arise along the craniopharyngeal duct. This Primer describes their formation, diagnosis and treatment, distinguishing between the two histological subtypes — adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma and papillary craniopharyngioma.

Suicide and suicidal behaviour continue to present key challenges for public policy and health services. This Primer discusses the global burden of suicide and suicidal behaviours, and provides an overview of our current understanding of the mechanisms of suicide, including risk factors for suicidal ideation and the transition from ideation to suicide attempt.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and ischaemic stroke accounts for 71% of cases. This Primer by Campbell and colleagues discusses the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of ischaemic stroke.

Gout is a chronic form of arthritis caused by an inflammatory response to deposited monosodium urate crystals. This Primer discusses the epidemiology and pathogenesis of gout and evolving approaches for management of the disease.

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy in women worldwide. Patients are managed on the basis of the key molecular and histological features underpinning their disease and its stage. This Primer discusses these issues, covering both early and advanced disease.

Fanconi anaemia, ataxia telangiectasia, Nijmegen breakage syndrome and Bloom syndrome are rare, clinically distinct, chromosome instability syndromes. This Primer describes the understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of these disorders, including the relationship of the defects to the predisposition to cancer.

This Primer provides a comprehensive review of the current state of basic science and clinical knowledge on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, and its extreme form hyperemesis gravidarum. Directions to focus on for future study are also discussed.

Autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial disease (ADTKD) is an entity that includes rare kidney diseases caused by mutations in various genes that lead to inescapable progression to end-stage renal disease. This Primer highlights the different types of ADTKD and their distinct genetic and clinical features.

This Primer discusses the cause, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of drug-induced liver injury — an adverse reaction to supplements, herbal medicines and commonly used pharmaceuticals.

Atherosclerosis refers to the accumulation of fatty and fibrous material in the arterial wall. Atherosclerotic plaques can narrow the lumen of the vessel and lead to tissue ischaemia or rupture and trigger the formation of a thrombus.

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a form of polyuria–polydipsia syndrome usually resulting from insufficient production or response to arginine vasopressin (in central, nephrogenic and gestational DI), except in primary polydipsia. This Primer discusses the types of DI and how aetiology influences management of the disorder.

This Primer by Stein and colleagues discusses the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder, which is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions.

Gambling disorder, characterized by a persistent, recurrent pattern of gambling, is associated with substantial distress or impairment. This Primer describes the epidemiology, neurobiology, diagnosis, screening, prevention and treatment of this behavioural disorder, and discusses the quality of life of individuals affected.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common complication in pregnancy and has short-term and long-term effects in both mother and offspring. This Primer discusses the definitions of GDM, diagnosis and management of the disease and areas requiring further research.

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease of unknown cause involving the formation of granulomas in almost any organ, although typically in the lungs. This Primer discusses the aetiology of sarcoidosis and the diagnosis, screening and treatment of this variable disease.

Conduct disorder (CD) is a common and highly impairing psychiatric disorder that usually emerges in childhood or adolescence and is characterized by severe antisocial and aggressive behaviour. This Primer provides an overview of diagnostic approaches, evidence regarding the aetiology and pathophysiology of CD, and interventions and prevention programmes.