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Dib El Jalbout J, Sati H, Ghalloub P, El Bejjani G, Karam R, Mago A, Salame M, Saoudi L, Desangles AB, Emmanuel N. Morgellons disease: a narrative review. Neurol Sci 2024:10.1007/s10072-024-07361-7. [PMID: 38319480 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07361-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Morgellons disease is characterized by the persistent delusion of skin infestation, ultimately inflicting wounds and impairing quality of life. There is insufficient and conflicting research pertaining to this condition, imposing challenges on clinicians in understanding, diagnosing, and treating it. In this review, we summarize the available literature on Morgellons disease including its historical evolution, epidemiology, proposed pathophysiology, underlying structural and functional brain pathologies, typical and atypical clinical presentations, diagnosis, and treatment. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Scopus using specified keywords. Selected articles were screened by two independent reviewers based on set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer as needed. No limit to the date of selected articles was set due to the scarce literature available on the subject. Morgellons disease is an underdiagnosed entity, owing mostly to the lack of an established pathophysiology and treatment guidelines. While many authors classify it as a type of delusional infestation (DI), others correlate MD with an underlying spirochetal infection, namely Lyme disease. Neuroimaging studies have revealed abnormalities in the "fronto-striato-thalamo-parietal network", a finding common to patients with DI, in addition to alterations in structures related to the "Itch Processing Pathway". Patients tend to extract fibers from their skin lesions and place them in a match box hence the term "match box sign". The diagnosis is that of exclusion, requiring extensive work up to rule out secondary causes and differential diagnoses. Treatment is largely based on the use of antipsychotics, with or without cognitive behavioral therapy. Despite being a diagnosis of exclusion, clinicians must be aware of this entity and have a profound understanding of the pathogenesis underlying it. Upon clinical suspicion, secondary Morgellons should always be ruled out through a thorough history taking, physical examination, and laboratory exams. Despite the challenges brought by the heterogeneous presentation of the condition and the paucity of research revolving around it, the great impact that Morgellons disease has on patients' quality of life forms a pressing need for its adequate detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Dib El Jalbout
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Heba Sati
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon
| | - Perla Ghalloub
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon
| | - Grace El Bejjani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lebanese American University Medical Center Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rim Karam
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Arpit Mago
- Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
| | - Marita Salame
- Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lara Saoudi
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | | | - Nancy Emmanuel
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Sati H, Alzraikat N, Milan M, Saliba M, Fawaz A, Boueri M, Semaan S, Chedid ML, Yakdan S. Skin manifestations in children with MIS-C and COVID-19: a narrative review. Int J Dermatol 2024; 63:32-40. [PMID: 38018155 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
This review aims to highlight the diverse skin manifestations in children and adolescents with COVID induced multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary greatly in severity between different age groups. Although most children infected with SARS-CoV-2 experience either no symptoms or only mild symptoms, some reported cases of severely affected children with a clinical presentation similar to incomplete Kawasaki disease have led to the definition of a new condition called MIS-C. MIS-C can involve multiple organs, including the skin, and may pose a life-threatening risk to affected children. Such cases highlight the need for continuous research into the possible skin manifestations associated with COVID-19 in pediatric populations to aid in early diagnosis and prompt treatment. We conducted a search of PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases for studies published up until October 1, 2022. Three reviewers independently examined each study, and a fourth reviewer resolved any disagreements. A narrative review of all relevant papers was conducted. We present an overview of the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the various skin manifestations in children and adolescents with COVID-19 or MIS-C. The skin manifestations of COVID-19 and MIS-C can be diverse and are frequently overlooked. It is important to conduct further research to better understand the impact of this disease on children to provide appropriate care for these at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Sati
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon
| | - Noor Alzraikat
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Milanie Milan
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon
| | - Marita Saliba
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon
| | - Ala'a Fawaz
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Myriam Boueri
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Samar Semaan
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon
| | | | - Salim Yakdan
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
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Ahmadi A, Gandour G, Ghaffari H, Sati H, Mrad AA, Semaan S, Elhadi YAM, Mousavi SH, Arif S, Madadi S, Lucero-Prisno DE. Food security and COVID-19 in Afghanistan: a two-sided battlefront. Trop Med Health 2021; 49:77. [PMID: 34563263 PMCID: PMC8467239 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-021-00370-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Food security is a major element for the sustainability, stability and development of a country. However, despite fundamental efforts in fighting poverty, Afghanistan continues to struggle with food insecurity with a large proportion of its population living below the poverty line. With extreme climates, protracted conflict, and now COVID-19, food insecurity has become rampant and is on the rise in the country. Efforts have been reinforced to mitigate this issue, but a spate of obstacles which seems not to come to an end, has contributed to the deterioration of the situation. With the collaboration and efforts of international organizations, there remains a glimmer of hope to potentially reduce the gravity of the food insecurity in the country. This paper aims to highlight the efforts of Afghanistan in alleviating food insecurity with a focus on the impact of COVID-19 on this issue. It also presents recommendations that may help ameliorate the country’s food security status during and after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attaullah Ahmadi
- Medical Research Center, Kateb University, Kabul, Afghanistan. .,Department of Public Health, International School of Medicine, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
| | - Georges Gandour
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon
| | | | - Heba Sati
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon
| | | | - Serena Semaan
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon
| | - Yasir Ahmed Mohammed Elhadi
- Department of Health Administration and Behavioral Sciences, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.,Department of Public Health, Medical Research Office, Sudanese Medical Research Association, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Sayed Hamid Mousavi
- Medical Research Center, Kateb University, Kabul, Afghanistan.,Afghanistan National Charity Organization for Special Diseases (ANCOSD), Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Shamim Arif
- Medical Research Center, Kateb University, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Shekiba Madadi
- Medical Research Center, Kateb University, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Gayet S, Bernit E, Sati H, Veit V, Mazodier K, Schleinitz N, Kaplanski G, Harlé JR. Antalgie par mélange équimolaire d’oxygène et de protoxyde d’azote lors des biopsies ostéomédullaires. Rev Med Interne 2009; 30:208-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2008.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2008] [Revised: 08/29/2008] [Accepted: 09/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Dilkes FA, Duff MJ, Liu JT, Sati H. Quantum discontinuity between zero and infinitesimal graviton mass with a Lambda term. Phys Rev Lett 2001; 87:041301. [PMID: 11461606 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.87.041301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2001] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We show that the recently demonstrated absence of the usual discontinuity for massive spin 2 with a Lambda term is an artifact of the tree approximation, and that the discontinuity reappears at one loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- F A Dilkes
- Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics, Randall Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1120, USA.
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