New technology can rapidly diagnose TB and other important infectious bacteria, as well as determine the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

This man's right chest shows partial absence of the pectoralis major muscle—part of Poland syndrome, which consists of which anomalies?

The number of people who require 2 or more antihypertensives to reach target blood pressure are on the increase. So, simply stated, what goes best with what? The 2013 ASH meeting offered some good suggestions under the heading of “Within Class Differences.”

The top men's health concerns include heart disease, cancer, accidents, and chronic lower respiratory diseases. This compact slide show provides visual presentations of other clinical problems that pose a threat to men and that might be seen in primary care practice.

At ASH 2013 in San Francisco, a troubling central nervous system complication of untreated hypertension was discussed—dementia. To infer that CNS damage is a correlate of vascular dementia is only partially correct. For primary care physicians, the rest of the story is a must-read.

Patients with resistant hypertension and hypertensive patients prone to hyperkalemia are on the rise. They are not easy to care for, but certain “tricks of the trade” can help. Details here.

ASH 2013 has uncovered 2 glaring gaps in the management of people with sleep disorders (OSA as well as others) and appropriate care after a stroke. Both cohorts frequent primary care practice.

Test your clinical skills in this week’s 5-question quiz.

For a patient with atrial fibrillation whose risk of ischemic stroke is low, is antiplatelet therapy the right choice? A revised risk calculation formula, based on the original CHADS2 criteria, restratifies low-risk patients to further help identify those who may not require oral anticoagulation.

Researchers have devoted themselves to devising ways of blocking the production or accumulation of beta-amyloid. Now scientists are studying other protein targets, including tau.

How aldosterone antagonism achieves this reduction is uncertain, but the study highlights this class as an important treatment option to consider in patients with HF and AF.

The goals at the 2013 scientific meeting of the American Society of Hypertension, which began on Wednesday, May 15 in San Francisco, are to increase understanding and, perhaps, find a cure.

This solitary, very pruritic, annular lesion suggests dermatophytosis. KOH preparation verified the presence of Tinea faciei. This infection is usually associated with contact with a new kitten or puppy.

This clustered grouping of small, shallow erosions surmounting a slightly indurated plaque is characteristic for “cold sores.” Because no vesicles were present and the lesions appeared to be crusting over, the patient was advised to apply an OTC cream (docosanol 10%) per package insert instructions.

The nonspecific symptoms associated with renal infarction can delay diagnosis. Most episodes do occur in the setting of increased risk for embolization.

These small, pruritic papules appeared in the morning, which strongly suggests the bite of a nocturnal feeding arthropod. Insect bites arranged in clusters of 3 is typical for, but not diagnostic of, bedbug infestation.

Colesevelam helps reduce serum glucose levels and also lowers LDL-C in patients with type 2 diabetes. In patients on stable levels of antihyperglycemic medication, bromocriptine reduces the relative risk of cardiovascular events. Both are included in the 2013 AACE algorithm as add-on therapy in patients on dual or triple therapy for diabetes.

Landmark diabetes research, such as the UKPDS, raised hope that the drugs that lowered A1C could also help stave off the dreaded cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes. That was then. Where is the hope pinned now?

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This green discoloration is the result of subungual Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization. Pathogenic bacteria can enter this space via many causes, including trauma or underlying lesions.