Reviews & Analysis

Ewing sarcoma is a malignant bone or soft-tissue tumour that mainly affects children, adolescents and young adults. This Primer describes the key characteristic molecular features of and the remaining unanswered research questions in Ewing sarcoma.

Influenza is an infectious respiratory disease that, in humans, is caused by influenza A and influenza B viruses. This PrimeView highlights some key preventive measures to stop its spread.

Influenza is an infectious respiratory disease that, in humans, is caused by influenza A and influenza B viruses. This Primer discusses the biological features of influenza viruses, their effects on human and animal health and the mitigation strategies to reduce the burden of this disease.

This PrimeView highlights the complex, intertwined mechanisms that underlie the onset and disease course of atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin disease.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a complex pathophysiology. Although it is not a life-threatening disease, it has considerable effects on the quality of life.

Several bacteria of the Vibrio genus cause human infections; among these, Vibrio cholerae is responsible for cholera (a severe gastroenteritis that can be quickly fatal if untreated) and Vibrio vulnificus wound infections have a high mortality. Vibrio spp. are common in the environment in warm, low-salinity water and in fresh water, and increasing sea surface temperatures can further promote their spread.

Hepatitis B virus can cause a lifelong chronic infection, which is associated with the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This illustrated PrimeView highlights the global perspective on the management and prevention of chronic hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B virus is a human hepatotropic DNA virus that can cause a lifelong chronic infection and progressive liver disease. This Primer discusses the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis, prevention and management of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria can cause severe infections, in particular in health-care settings. This PrimeView focuses on the preventive strategies required to limit the emergence of this pathogen.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common commensal bacterium in the nasal mucosa. Several strains have acquired resistance to methicillin (methicillin-resistant S. aureus, MRSA) and most β-lactam antibiotics; such drug resistance, in addition to the intrinsic high virulence potential of S. aureus, makes MRSA an important source of health-care-associated and community-associated infections.

Patients with borderline personality disorder face severe stigma owing to the type and severity of symptoms. These symptoms include interpersonal instability, behavioural dysregulation and emotional dysregulation, and are the main focus of this PrimeView

Borderline personality disorder is characterized by sensitivity to perceived interpersonal slights, an unstable sense of self, intense emotions and impulsive behaviours. This Primer by Gunderson et al. discusses the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and management of borderline personality disorder.

This illustrated PrimeView highlights the diagnosis and management of pulmonary embolism, and accompanies the Primer by Huisman and colleagues.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a form of venous thromboembolism in which an embolus occludes pulmonary arteries. This Primer by Huisman and colleagues discusses the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and prevention of PE and describes patient management and quality of life.

This PrimeView accompanies the Primer by Pappas et al. and highlights the epidemiological features of invasive candidiasis, a common health-care-associated fungal infection with a high mortality.

Candida spp. are common commensal organisms in the gut microbiota. However, breaches in the intestinal barrier, an impaired immune system, the use of broad-spectrum antibacterial agents and other interventions associated with medical progress can promote invasive Candida spp. infections, including bloodstream infections, that are often fatal.

This illustrated PrimeView accompanies the Primer on Epilepsy by Devinsky and colleagues, and focuses on diagnosis.

Epilepsy is characterized by an enduring predisposition to epileptic seizures and is associated with high morbidity. This Primer by Devinsky and colleagues describes the mechanisms underlying epilepsy and seizure development, and discusses how this disorder is diagnosed and managed.

This illustrated PrimeView accompanies the Primer on Postpartum psychiatric disorders by Meltzer-Brody et al. and focuses on the manifestations and diagnosis of these disorders.

Postpartum psychiatric disorders comprise postpartum depression and anxiety, which are relatively common, and the rare but more severe postpartum psychosis. This Primer by Meltzer-Brody and colleagues reviews the mechanisms underlying the development of postpartum psychiatric disorders and the approach to diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.