Knowing the underlying diseases is preferable to early diagnosis and timely initiation of antifungal therapy in order to improve survival rates. © 2020 Meidani et al.Introduction Globally, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) has been recognized as the drug of choice for preventing and controlling fits among women with severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, respectively. Improper use of magnesium sulfate has been reported globally. Therefore, actionable findings for improving magnesium sulfate use are needed. This study aims at understanding the views of midwives towards MgSO4 use to inform an intervention whose objective is to improve MgSO4 use among the midwives. Methods An exploratory qualitative study was conducted from July to September 2018. We conducted 10 in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion with midwives. All the interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Data were managed by NVivo version 10.0 and analyzed thematically. Results We identified one overarching theme “Inadequate governing approaches on management of clients on MgSO4” with corresponding subthemes; in adequate preparation on magnesium sulfate administration; inconsistent formula, regimen and guidelines/protocols on magnesium sulfate use and lack of resources. Conclusion Midwives perceived MgSO4 use as a demanding activity due to inadequate training, inconsistent tools, and lack of resources. While periodic in-service training should be intensified to improve MgSO4 use, necessary resources should be provided, such as blood pressure machines, more midwives, and protocols. © 2020 Chikalipo et al.Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effective for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (eMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, reducing infant mortality and ensuring maternal virologic suppression, while pregnant women require test and treat under Option B+ programs. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the evaluation of antiretroviral therapy initiated among pregnant women under Option B+ by viral load and CD4 count outcomes in selected hospitals of West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Methods Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed to conduct the study at randomly selected hospitals providing Option B+ services with routine viral load assessment by Oromia Regional Laboratory (ORL) from January 2016 to January 2017. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine factors affecting the time to ART initiation following an HIV test and logistic regression was used to determine the correlation between time and treatment% had increased CD4 count). This study determined the factors associated with viral load suppression and CD4 count improvement. Therefore, these factors should be emphatically considered during Option B+ program development and training to ensure CD4 count improvement and viral load suppression achievements. © 2020 Demissie et al.Histoplasmosis is an endemic mycosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. Infection develops by inhalation of microconidia from environmental sites inhabited by birds and bats. Disseminated disease is the usual presentation due to impaired cellular immunity. Common clinical manifestations include fever, fatigue, malaise, anorexia, weight loss, and respiratory symptoms. Histoplasma antigen detection is the most sensitive method for diagnosis. The sensitivity of the MVista® Quantitative Histoplasma antigen enzyme immunoassay is 95-100% in urine, over 90% in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) antigen and 78% in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). A proven diagnosis can be established by culture or pathology with sensitivities between 70% and 80%. The sensitivity of antibody detection by immunodiffusion or complement fixation was between 60% and 70%. Diagnosis using molecular methods has not been adequately validated for implementation and FDA cleared assays are unavailable. Liposomal amphotericin B should be used for 1-2 weeks followed by itraconazole for at least one year until CD4 counts are above 150 cells/mm3, HIV viral load is below 400 copies/mL and Histoplasma urine antigen is negative. Serum itraconazole level should be monitored to avoid drug toxicity. Antigen should be measured periodically to establish that treatment is effective and to assist in identifying relapse. The incidence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome is low but it must be considered in patients who are thought to be failing antifungal treatment as it does not respond to changing antifungal agents but rather to initiation of corticosteroid therapy. In this review, we discuss pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment based on personal experience and relevant publications. © 2020 Myint et al.Purpose Former studies have suggested that women with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) have a decreased chance of a live born child after assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. It is debated whether corticosteroids before ART may improve outcomes, either by decreasing inflammatory bowel disease-related inflammation or increasing endometrial receptivity. We examined the efficacy of corticosteroids before embryo transfer in women with CD and UC. Patients and Methods Our cohort study is based on nationwide Danish health registries, comprising women with CD and UC receiving an embryo transfer (1 January 2006 through 2017). Exposed cohorts constituted women with CD and UC who had received corticosteroids within three months before embryo transfer, and the unexposed cohorts women with CD and UC who did not receive corticosteroids. Our primary outcome was live birth. We controlled for multiple covariates in the analyses. Results We examined 2408 embryo transfers. In patients with CD, 114 embryo transfers were preceded by a corticosteroid prescription, and 964 were not. learn more The corresponding numbers in UC were 122 and 1208, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for live birth in women with CD receiving corticosteroids before embryo transfer, relative to women with CD not receiving corticosteroids, was 0.89 (95% CI 0.49-1.63). The corresponding aOR in UC was 0.98 (95% CI 0.55-1.74). Conclusion Corticosteroids prior to ART in women with CD and UC did not increase the chance of a live born child. The exact impact of corticosteroids prior to embryo transfer in patients with CD and UC still remains to be determined. © 2020 Nørgård et al.