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BACKGROUND: This is a unique case that describes the presentation, investigations, and disease trajectory of a fatal, clonal CD8-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder in an otherwise healthy and immunocompetent patient with Epstein-Barr virus seronegative status. Central nervous system involving T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders are rare and typically encountered in the setting of immunocompromise. These disorders are often associated with aggressive cytomorphological features and characteristic magnetic resonance imaging patterns, which were not seen in this case. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we describe a case of a 65 year-old male presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms, truncal ataxia, and falls who's bone marrow, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain biopsy were consistent with a clonal CD8-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder that did not meet existing World Health Organization criteria for classification as T-cell lymphoma. The patient was treated with intrathecal methotrexate resulting in transient improvement of his symptoms followed by disease progression and death related to aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of urgent and comprehensive work-up in patients with clinical features suggestive of lymphoma with central nervous system involvement, despite atypical imaging features and lack of cytomorphological features satisfying current World Health Organization classification criteria.

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In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, rapid development, clinical testing, and regulatory approval of vaccines occurred. The tozinameran COVID-19 vaccine is the first mRNA vaccine approved for use in humans. Transverse myelitis is a rare inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord that is associated with traditional vaccinations. There are rare case reports describing an association between mRNA vaccines and transverse myelitis. Herein, we describe a case of transverse myelitis following mRNA vaccination. A healthy 26-year-old woman developed saddle anesthesia, numbness, and allodynia in the S1-S4 distribution within three days of receiving the first dose of tozinameran COVID-19 vaccine. She had decreased sensation to pinprick, temperature, and light touch in S1-S4 distribution and a positive Rhomberg test. An MRI brain and spine demonstrated a short segment T2 hyperintense and diffusely enhancing lesion at T5. Cerebrospinal fluid studies demonstrated pleocytosis and elevated IgG index. A five-day course of IV methylprednisolone resulted in minimal improvements in her symptoms. Stage III clinical trials may be underpowered to detect more rare adverse effects such as transverse myelitis. Therefore, it is imperative to have ongoing surveillance and reporting of adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccines to ensure transparency with regard to potential risks to patients obtaining the vaccine and algorithms in place for detection and urgent treatment if required. Nonetheless, the safety and efficacy of vaccination against COVID-19 are well established and greatly outweigh any potential risks associated with the vaccine. Given the individual, societal, and global health benefits of vaccination we strongly advocate for ongoing vaccinations against COVID-19.

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BACKGROUND: Considering the recent popularity of bodybuilding and the apparent spread of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use amongst bodybuilding enthusiasts in Kuwait, there is a relative lack of scientific investigation into the use, knowledge and attitudes towards AAS amongst the population at risk of abusing it. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the frequency, knowledge, attitudes and practice of AAS use amongst male fitness centre attendees in Kuwait. METHODS: A cross sectional survey utilizing a self-administered questionnaire was used. Information on demographics as well as knowledge and attitude about and towards the use of AAS was included in the questionnaire. Ten fitness centres in Kuwait were randomly selected and questionnaires were distributed to all individuals leaving each centre on randomly selected days and periods of time for each centre. Overall n = 400 questionnaires were distributed. RESULTS: A total of n = 194 questionnaires were returned completed (~49%). Of the responders, 22.7% used AAS. The 19-25 age group had the highest occurrence (46.8%) of first-time AAS use. In contrast with non-users, most (70.5%) of AAS users believed that having an optimally muscular body can only be achieved by using AAS, and a small minority (6.8%) believed that AAS usage would have significant harms to health. Only 18.2% of AAS users had appropriate knowledge regarding the side effects of AAS. Non-users were as much uninformed as AAS users regarding the side effects of AAS. CONCLUSION: The usage of AAS is high amongst male gym users in Kuwait and is likely to present an additional burden to the health service. An effective initiative to minimize the burden of AAS abuse should focus on changing the attitudes towards AAS rather than spreading awareness of their side effects.

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