Aims-To determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in children with eczema and the association of such symptoms with the extent of eczema or skin prick test results. Methods-Sixty five children with atopic eczema and a control group matched for age and sex were recruited. Their parents completed a questionnaire about the children's gastrointestinal symptoms. The children's skin was examined; their weight, height, and abdominal circumference were measured; and skin prick tests were carried out. Results-Gastrointestinal symptoms, especially diarrhoea, vomiting, and regurgitation, were more common in the children with eczema. Diarrhoea appeared to be associated with the ingestion of specific foods. Gastrointestinal symptoms were related to diVuse eczema and positive skin prick tests to foods. There was no anthropometric diVerences between the patient and control groups. Conclusions-A gastrointestinal disorder is common in children with eczema, especially with diVuse distribution. This may be responsible for substantial symptoms and may play a part in the pathogenesis of the disease and in the failure to thrive with which it is sometimes associated. (Arch Dis Child 1998;78:230-234)

Background Schistosomiasis affects more than 260 million people worldwide, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 280 000 deaths per year are estimated. In the past few years, the increasing flow of migrants from endemic areas and the upward number of international travels have caused the emergence of the disease also in non-endemic areas. A single course of praziquantel (PZQ) 40 mg/kg is the first-line treatment recommended by the World Health Organization, mainly based on clinical trials conducted in endemic countries. No trials have been performed in non-endemic areas. Methods We carried out a systematic review of case reports and case series published between 1956 and August 2017 on cases of chronic schistosomiasis (infection acquired >3 months before) diagnosed in non-endemic areas and treated with PZQ. Primary outcome was to assess the number of different therapeutic regimens deployed and their frequency of use, calculated as the number of reports for each regimen over the total number of included cases. Results The final database included 99 case reports and 51 case series, for a total of 1433 patients. In 57 of the 150 records (38%) the administered treatment was different from the one recommended by the World Health Organization. The proportion of ‘alternative’ regimens included increased doses of PZQ (up to 80 mg/kg) and/or prolonged duration of treatment and/or doses repeated some days/weeks apart. About 50% of the records regarding Western short-term travellers reported a non-standard treatment. Conclusion This is the first complete catalogue of the published experience with PZQ outside of endemic areas in the situation where reinfection is not an issue. We found a wide heterogeneity of the therapeutic regimens reported. Multicenter clinical trials conducted in non-endemic areas and guidelines specifically addressing the treatment of imported cases of chronic schistosomiasis are needed.

Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH) is an AIDS-defining illness with a high lethality rate if not promptly treated. The wide range of its possible clinical manifestations represents the main barrier to diagnosis in non-endemic countries. Here we present a case of PDH with haemophagocytic syndrome in a newly diagnosed HIV patient and a comprehensive review of disseminated histoplasmosis focused on epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic tools and treatment options in HIV-infected patients.

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We report a case of LBRF in a refugee from Mali, likely acquired in Libya, where several migration routes into Europe meet. The disease must be considered in any febrile refugee regardless the country of origin.