Sarcoidosis – a multisystem disease

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease, characterised by granuloma formation upon an unknown trigger in genetically predisposed individuals. Since all organs can be affected to varying extents, clinical presentation is often diverse. Treatment decisions should be based on a multidisciplinary approach, depending on organ involvement and treatment tolerability.

Short-term glucocorticoid-related side effects and adverse reactions: a narrative review and practical approach

Glucocorticoids are the mainstay treatment of a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Unfortunately, metabolic side effects, drug interactions and adverse reactions commonly lead to glucocorticoid-related side effects, thereby compromising their intended anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. The goal of this review is to help clinicians to monitor the broad spectrum of side effects of short-term systemic glucocorticoid administration.

Has the profile of heart transplantation recipients changed within the last three decades?  

Availability of different medical heart failure treatments did not result in greatly different pretransplant characteristics of heart transplantation recipients across the three periods. This suggests that the maintained central criteria of listing for heart transplantation still identify end-stage heart failure patients with a similar profile.

Exotic venomous snakebites in Switzerland reported to the National Poisons Information Centre over 22 years

Exotic snakebite is a rare occurrence in Switzerland but has led to medically relevant morbidity, sometimes requiring antivenom treatment.

Perception of physicians and nursing staff members regarding outside versus bedside ward rounds: ancillary analysis of the randomised BEDSIDE-OUTSIDE trial

While bedside ward rounds are considered more patient centred and are preferred by the nursing staff, physicians prefer outside the room presentation of patients during ward rounds because of the perceived better discussion of sensitive topics, better time management and less staff discomfort.

A qualitative analysis of critical incident reporting in a paediatric hospital: benefits and weaknesses

The CIRS is essential to identify system-based errors, but personal feedback needs to become obligatory so caregivers can learn from their error. An additional tool to ensure individual feedback and overcome communication difficulties needs to be created.

Willingness to donate organs – an anonymised survey in the emergency department 

Only one in five ED patients in this study had a fully completed organ donor card or were registered in the Swiss National Organ Donor Registry. In order to increase the willingness to donate organs in the future, it is of immense importance to provide better information and more details and knowledge about this important topic.

High SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence but no severe course of COVID-19 disease among people on opioid agonist treatment in Zurich: a cross-sectional study

The 3-fold higher seroprevalence suggests a higher than average viral exposure in the opioid agonist treatment group. Nevertheless, no severe COVID-19 course occurred, although the number of study participants was relatively small. One possible reason for this could be possible cross-immunity to SARS-CoV-2 due to frequent viral contacts in opioid agonist treatment patients. 

Zoonotic Chlamydiae as rare causes of severe pneumonia

Zoonotic species of the Chlamydiaceae family should be considered as rare pathogenic agents of severe atypical pneumonia. The two SARS‑CoV‑2-negative pneumonia cases presented here were investigated in an inter-disciplinary approach involving physicians and veterinarians. State-of-art molecular methods allowed the identification and genotyping of zoonotic Chlamydiae.

Higher viral load and infectivity increase risk of aerosol transmission for Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2

Reducing contacts, always wearing well-fitted FFP2 respirators when indoors, using ventilation and other methods to reduce airborne virus concentrations, and avoiding situations with loud voices seem critical to limiting these latest waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.