Primers and PrimeViews in 2018

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a medical emergency in which bleeding develops in the oesophagus, stomach or proximal duodenum and is often caused by peptic ulcers as a result of Helicobacter pylori infection, NSAID use or low-dose aspirin use. This Primer describes how these bleeding events occur and how to resolve this common clinical problem.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a severe liver disease in which loss of tolerance against the patient's own liver antigens, probably triggered by environmental agents, occurs in genetically susceptible individuals. This Primer explores the current understanding of AIH and outlines future research priorities.

Mutations in genes leading to hepcidin deficiency lead to haemochromatosis, a clinical syndrome characterized by dysregulated iron metabolism and cellular iron overload. This Primer by Brissot and colleagues discusses the aetiology, epidemiology and diagnosis of haemochromatosis and describes patient management and quality of life.

Systemic arterial hypertension is the most important risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide and the most common modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is important to assess a person's predicted cardiovascular risk in addition to the level of blood pressure in making treatment decisions.

Sickle cell disease includes genetic conditions that are caused by mutations in one of the genes encoding haemoglobin. Mutant haemoglobin molecules can polymerize, causing the red blood cells to acquire a characteristic crescent shape that gives the disease its name.

Bipolar disorders are characterized by acute episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. Psychosis can occur in some patients, and cognitive symptoms, including deficits in executive function and memory, are frequent. In this Primer, Vieta et al. discuss the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and management of bipolar disorders.

Cluster headache is characterized by unilateral headaches associated with ipsilateral autonomic features, such as lacrimation and rhinorrhoea. This Primer by May et al. discusses the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of cluster headache in addition to the quality-of-life issues faced by patients.

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) refers to any degree of cognitive impairment (from mild cognitive impairment to dementia) that is associated with vascular pathology. This Primer by van der Flier et al. describes the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and management of VCI.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints. This Primer by Smolen et al. provides the latest insights into the epidemiology, genetics, pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, clinical assessment and management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a bacterium with a high biothreat potential: it can cause an infectious disease — melioidosis — that presents with sepsis, pneumonia or both in the majority of patients, with mortality as high as 50% and for which no vaccine is available.