Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by (), is re-emerging globally. Recent epidemiological data show a rising incidence, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). Known as 'the great mimic' for its broad clinical spectrum, secondary syphilis classically presents with a maculopapular rash involving the trunk and extremities. However, it can also present with atypical cutaneous manifestations, especially in immunocompromised patients. This aspect may contribute to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Starting from a clinical case, we will conduct a literature review on syphilis/HIV coinfection, with a particular focus on the broad spectrum of cutaneous manifestations and the key differential diagnoses involved. We report the case of a 60-year-old male living with HIV who presented with non-pruritic, polymorphic skin lesions sparing the palms and soles. The patient had a prior history of treated latent syphilis. Initial diagnostic workup excluded common differentials, including monkeypox and fungal infections. Serologic testing confirmed active syphilis with a reactive Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) titer of 1:32, skin biopsy showed dense plasma cell-rich infiltrate, and immunohistochemistry was positive for . Despite negative cerebrospinal fluid findings, neurological symptoms prompted treatment with intravenous penicillin G, and the symptoms resolved with treatment. This case underscores the importance of considering syphilis in the differential diagnosis of atypical dermatologic presentations, given its increasing prevalence and potential for severe systemic involvement.

Abnormal glucose homeostasis in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (β-TDT) patients requires early detection and intervention. However, current diagnostic criteria for patients with a normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) may fail to detect a significant proportion of high-risk individuals.

Elderly patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Venetoclax combined with azacitidine has shown promising activity in newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory AML, but real-world data on older populations remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors - including select blood biomarkers - of venetoclax plus azacitidine in elderly patients with relapsed AML.

This study aimed to explore the role of SLC22A4 (encoding the organic cation transporter OCTN1) in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) prognosis and therapy. Methods: RNA-sequencing data from 151 TCGA-AML samples and six Gene Expression Omnibus datasets (62 normal bone marrow and 520 AML samples) were analysed. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified immune-related gene modules. Differential expression analysis, survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression), methylation profiling, immune infiltration (xCell, EPIC), and drug sensitivity correlations were performed. Statistical methods included Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, ROC curves, and LASSO regression.

The primary objective was to evaluate the risk of developing glucose dysregulation and diabetes mellitus over 10 years among transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (β-TDT) patients with varying levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) within the normoglycemic range. The secondary objective was to identify which baseline variables were associated with a higher risk of developing abnormal fasting glucose levels in the future.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a serious public health problem. Opportunistic infections and malignancies are the more frequent causes of hospitalization. We investigated hospitalized people with HIV (PWH) over the past 12 years to determine the types and changing trends of the disease presentation in a large tertiary academic centre in Eastern China.

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare and aggressive form of multiple myeloma (MM), characterized by the presence of malignant plasma cells in the peripheral blood. Until 2021, PCL was defined as plasmacytosis comprising at least 20% of the differential white blood cell count in peripheral blood. (CPCs). PCL was found in 2-4% of newly diagnosed MM cases. It can also develop from a preexisting, usually end-stage, MM, known as secondary PCL (sPCL), which exhibits distinct biological and clinical features. Both primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL) and secondary plasma cell leukemia (sPCL) are very rare presentations of MM. According to the International Myeloma Working Group, plasma cell leukemia is generally diagnosed when the percentage of CPCs in peripheral blood exceeds 5%. PCL has a more aggressive clinical presentation than MM, involving more severe cytopenia, hypercalcemia, and renal failure. Higher tumor burden and proliferation activity in PCL are reflected by elevated levels of B2- B2-microglobulin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Extramedullary localization at diagnosis is more common in pPCL and sPCL than in MM. Conversely, osteolytic lesions are less frequent in pPCL. The immunophenotype of PCL expresses the common MM markers, CD38 and CD138, but exhibits a more immature phenotype than MM. Molecularly, PCL lacks a specific marker but shows a markedly lower frequency of hyperploidy and significantly increased gains of chromosome 1 and translocations t(14;16) or t(14;20). Additionally, it has also been reported that the t(11;14) translocation occurs more frequently and is associated with a better prognosis. The recent therapy of PCL is similar to that of other high-grade myelomas, taking advantage of anti-proteasome, like bortezomib, an immunomodulator, like lenalidomide, and dexamethasone triplet + anti-CD38 antibody and/or cyclophosphamide, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, the results are not as good as in the other forms of myeloma.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection leads to liver fibrosis. Although liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis, its invasive nature limits routine application. Serum interleukin-34 (IL-34), which plays a role in macrophage activation and fibrogenesis, and shear wave elastography (SWE), a non-invasive method for measuring liver stiffness, represent potential diagnostic alternatives. This study compared the accuracy of IL-34 and SWE with liver biopsy findings in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Iron is required for several vital biological processes in all human cells. In mammals, a considerable number of proteins are involved in iron metabolism and utilize iron in many essential cellular processes, such as oxygen transport, mitochondrial respiration, gene regulation, and DNA synthesis or repair. Iron metabolism is a complex system finely regulated at both systemic and cellular levels. It involves the development of specialized mechanisms for iron absorption, transport, recycling, storage, and export, and protection against toxic compounds that can be generated during iron redox cycling in the presence of oxygen. The erythropoietic compartment consumes the majority of iron to support the high demand for hemoglobin synthesis. A tightly regulated system enables efficient iron uptake by erythroid cells and its subsequent processing for the synthesis of large amounts of heme, which is then incorporated into hemoglobin. A bidirectional regulatory system between erythropoiesis and iron metabolism ensures precise coordination between the two processes. This regulation is often disrupted in various anemic conditions.

Polatuzumab vedotin combined with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisolone (PRCHP) is a new standard first-line therapy; however, patients aged >80 years were excluded from the POLARIX trial. This single-center, retrospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of dose-attenuated PRCHP compared with those of dose-attenuated RCHOP in very elderly patients.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production, leading to chronic anemia. Patients, particularly those who are transfusion-dependent, face a heightened risk of infections due to disease-related factors like anemia and treatment-related complications such as iron overload and splenectomy. This study explores the factors contributing to infections in thalassemia patients to improve management strategies.

Thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with acute leukemias (AL). While AL is characterized by a complex hemostatic imbalance, conventional coagulation tests and platelet counts offer limited predictive value for bleeding and thrombotic events. Global coagulation assays (GCAs), such as the Thrombin Generation Assay (TGA), provide a more comprehensive assessment of coagulation potential and may offer improved risk stratification. This prospective, single-center pilot study aimed to explore the utility of TGA in newly diagnosed adult patients with AL. Between February 2022 and September 2024, 111 patients were enrolled at the Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome. Baseline clinical and laboratory data, including TGA parameters, were collected, and patients were monitored for thrombotic events until death or last follow-up. TGA values at diagnosis displayed wide inter-individual and inter-subtype variability. With a median follow-up of 8.28 months, 8 (7.2%) thrombotic events were reported. No statistically significant association was found between baseline TGA parameters and the development of thrombotic events (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that a single TGA measurement at diagnosis may not predict thrombotic risk in AL patients. Future studies incorporating longitudinal TGA assessments and additional hemostatic evaluations, such as platelet function analysis, may help refine risk prediction for both thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications in this high-risk population.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disease of public health concern. Adult patients face various disease-related complications, which affect their quality of life (QoL). Few studies have examined relationships between these events and health-related (HR) QoL. We conducted a study of 240 adults with SCD seen in steady state at a routine clinic visit over one year. Two self-administered questionnaires were used to determine patients' HRQoL: the sickle cell self-efficacy scale (SCSES) comprising 9 specific items and the unspecific SF-36 scoring system comprising 8 subscales, which construct the physical component summary (PCS) and the mental component summary (MCS). Factors impacting HRQoL were established using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Participants had a median age of 28 years (Sex ratio male/female 0.61; 68% SS genotype). Most of them had experienced more than one SCD-related complication and more than one affected organ system. A good correlation was established between the SCD-specific and the unspecific scoring systems (p < 0.0001). Using the SF-36 scoring system, energy/fatigue, general health, and pain subscales showed the lowest median scores (50, 45, and 56.5, respectively), while physical functioning had the highest median score (75). In univariate and multivariate analyses, hospitalization for SCD complications occurring during the last year preceding QoL evaluation was the main feature impacting HRQoL (p < 0.001). Good compliance to hydroxyurea (HU) therapy was associated with higher SCSES (p = 0.04) and higher emotional role functioning (p = 0.03) scores. The recent occurrence of severe SCD complications mainly influenced HRQoL. Our study suggests that a more effective treatment through better compliance with HU therapy would provide benefit in terms of QoL.

Post-treatment lung destruction (LD) impairs quality of life in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) survivors, yet early risk-stratification tools are lacking. We aimed to develop and internally validate a clinical-laboratory nomogram to predict LD at completion of standard anti-TB therapy.

Ubiquitination affects cancer progression by regulating both tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting proteins in cancer. The current study sought to evaluate the role of TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in the malignant proliferation of the human NK/T cell lymphoma cell line HANK1.