Articles in 2016

Sheehan syndrome or postpartum hypopituitarism is a condition characterized by hypopituitarism due to necrosis of the pituitary gland. The initial insult is caused by massive postpartum haemorrhage, leading to impaired blood supply to the pituitary gland, which has become enlarged during pregnancy.

Sheehan syndrome refers to postpartum hypopituitarism caused by necrosis of the pituitary gland as a consequence of severe hypotension owing to uterine bleeding during or soon after childbirth. In this Primer, Kelestimur and colleagues describe the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment options of Sheehan syndrome.

Lyme borreliosis is a tick-borne disease, caused by three genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, that can cause a distinctive skin lesion, and neurological and cardiovascular symptoms. This PrimeView focuses on the epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis.

Lyme borreliosis is a tick-borne disease that is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii. This Primer by Steere and colleagues discusses the epidemiology, mechanisms and management of Lyme borreliosis in North America and Europe.

Hookworms are soil-transmitted human parasites that can survive and multiply in the small intestine for years. This PrimeView illustrates how hookworms feed on the host's blood and focuses on their complex interactions with the host's immune system and commensal microbiota.

Hookworm infection is a major neglected tropical disease that causes substantial disability and iron deficiency anaemia in at-risk populations. However, the ability of hookworms to regulate the host's inflammation to its advantage could prove useful in the treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases.

This PrimeView on carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection highlights the need for more reliable tests and strategies to predict cancer risk of a given HPV lesion.

Virtually all cervical cancers, a large fraction of other anogenital cancers and an increasing proportion of oropharyngeal cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Here, the authors describe HPV-driven carcinogenesis and discuss how developments in vaccines and screening tests could dramatically alter the landscape of HPV-related cancers worldwide.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease characterized by cutaneous manifestations (often red, scaly plaques) and rheumatological complications (psoriatic arthritis). This PrimeView highlights the pathological mechanisms that lead to psoriatic lesions, in particular, the altered immune responses.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that can severely affect patient quality of life. Various kinds of skin manifestations are possible; psoriatic arthritis is a common but underdiagnosed comorbidity. Treatments for psoriasis include topical agents, phototherapy and systemic and biologic agents.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can affect people of all ages and are a major cause of disability and death worldwide. The mechanisms of TBIs, including axonal injury, inflammation and vascular disturbances, are highlighted in this PrimeView.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) result from an external force and can result in a range of clinical manifestations and neuropathological changes, many of which are only beginning to be understood. Here, the authors argue that the cellular and molecular processes involved in TBIs of different severities are probably similar, just to different degrees.

Neuroblastoma is a neuroendocrine tumour of early childhood and results in tumours in the adrenal glands and/or sympathetic ganglia. This PrimeView focuses on the diagnosis of neuroblastoma, which encompasses laboratory tests, radiographic imaging and tumour biopsy.

Neuroblastoma is a neuroendocrine tumour that arises in the developing sympathetic nervous system and is the most common malignancy diagnosed in the first year of life. This Primer by Matthay et al. reviews the mechanisms, diagnosis and risk-stratified management of neuroblastoma.

Community-acquired bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges and a medical emergency. This PrimeView focuses on its mechanisms, following the bacteria as they infect the host, migrate to the bloodstream and infiltrate the cerebrospinal fluid.

Community-acquired bacterial meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) is most commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or Neisseria meningitidis. Prevention (through vaccination) and early antibiotic treatment are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality of this medical emergency.

This PrimeView highlights the complex nature of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection; it can remain latent and asymptomatic in the lungs or progress to active tuberculosis disease, which requires prolonged treatment with multiple antibiotics and has high morbidity and mortality in high-burden, resource-poor settings.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in low-income countries. Advances in diagnosis and treatment have been made, but new vaccines and drugs are needed to achieve the goal of the End TB Strategy by 2035.

This PrimeView focuses on the mechanisms underlying the development of mitochondrial diseases, a group of genetic disorders caused by mutations in the mitochondrial or nuclear genomes that encode proteins involved in mitochondrial function.

Mitochondrial diseases are a group of genetic disorders that are characterized by mutations in nuclear or mitochondrial DNA. This Primer discusses the mechanisms underlying the development of mitochondrial diseases, in addition to the diagnosis, prevention and management of these disorders.