Climate change aggravating migration and health issues in the African context: The views and direct experiences of a community of interest in the field.

Climate change is an increasingly important theme in Africa, where a large majority of its people depend on livestock and agricultural activities for livelihood. Concurrently, the topic of health of migrants and people on the move is rapidly raising both in the health debate and migration governance agenda in the Region. The link with climate change from the perspective of health and migration experts needs to be systematically addressed. Objectives: The article aims to contribute to the discourse on the interrelation of climate change, migration, and health by providing contributions of experts in the field of health and migration directly working with migrant and refugee communities in Africa. Methods: A webinar was conducted to collect and discuss first-hand experience with 25 participants from a postgraduate online course on health and migration funded by the Austrian Government and implemented in a co-operation of the Center for Health and Migration, Austria, with Makerere University, Uganda, the International Organization for Migration - UN Migration, and Lancet-Migration. As a result from the discussions, two cases from Sudan and Zimbabwe were selected to be further analysed with desk research to illustrate and underpin the points made. Results: All webinar participants reported to encounter climate change effects on health and migration in their professional practice. In their experience, climate change aggravates issues of health and migration by fueling forced migration and displacement, increasing health care needs, and deteriorating access to health care. Specific health challenges were identified for mental health problems caused by effects of climate change-induced migration, which remain widely undiagnosed and untreated, and the special affectedness of women and girls, with their mental, sexual and reproductive health severely deteriorated in insecure environments. The case studies from Sudan and Zimbabwe underline these observations. Conclusions: The interplay of effects of climate change, (internal) migration, and health is reported by a community of experts in the field of health and migration who are residing in Africa and working with migrant communities. Webinars prove to be an easy to implement tool to collect first hand evidence from practice experts, to foster exchange of experiences, and to get people engaged in further collaboration and discussion.

Orbital Onslaught: An Atypical Presentation of Mucormycosis in a Diabetic and Hypertensive Patient.

Mucormycosis, primarily known to affect the sinuses and brain, severely threatens immunocompromised individuals. Its occurrence in the orbital region is rare and potentially devastating. We report a unique case of a 50-year-old male with longstanding diabetes and hypertension who exhibited isolated orbital mucormycosis confined to the right eye. The patient presented with fever and acute vision loss without classic sinusitis symptoms; earlier mismanagement led to an aggressive relapse. An orbital computed tomography (CT) scan revealed inflammatory changes indicative of an early-stage invasive fungal infection. Comprehensive management involving surgical debridement and antifungal therapy successfully halted intracranial spread and further complications. This case underscores the necessity for high clinical vigilance in diagnosing atypical presentations of mucormycosis in susceptible populations, advocating for a rapid, multidisciplinary approach to ensure optimal outcomes. It also adds to the existing literature on the myriad manifestations of this formidable fungal infection.

Unlocking the Gut-Cardiac Axis: A Paradigm Shift in Cardiovascular Health.

The gut-cardiac axis represents an emerging area of research focusing on the relationship between gut health and cardiovascular function. This narrative review examines the Gut-Cardiac Axis, emphasizing its emerging role in cardiovascular health and disease management. Traditionally viewed as a component of the digestive system, the gut is now recognized for its significant influence on cardiac health. The gut microbiota, its metabolites, and gut-related inflammation are key factors affecting heart structure and function. This review highlights how dietary and nutritional interventions can effectively modulate the gut-cardiac axis, leading to personalized strategies for optimizing cardiovascular health. We discuss the clinical relevance of the gut-cardiac axis, particularly its role in providing diagnostic and prognostic markers for cardiovascular diseases. This exploration of the gut-cardiac axis marks a significant shift in cardiology, integrating gut health into cardiovascular risk assessment and treatment strategies. The review provides an in-depth overview of current research and its potential to impact cardiovascular medicine significantly. We emphasize the importance of this research in advancing patient care and improving cardiac outcomes, underlining the potential of the gut-cardiac axis to transform cardiovascular health management.