Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and coronavirus disease 2019; impact on vulnerable populations and harnessing lessons learnt from HIV programmes.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can act as a dual prong attack against management of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); it induces harm on both individual and national levels. People living with HIV may show rapid deterioration in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection as a result of physiological or psychological vulnerability. Additionally, the spread of COVID-19-especially in low- and middle-income countries-may limit HIV control measures, delivery and linkage to HIV care and prevention. Attention should be given to pregnant women and the LGBTQI+ community for their higher susceptibility to poor outcomes. Engagement of both governmental and non-governmental organizations is encouraged for better results.

Appendico-ileal knotting mimicking adhesive bowel disease.

Appendico-ileal knotting is a very rare and widely unknown cause of closed loop bowel obstruction. In most cases it is discovered incidentally during surgery. We report a 59 year old female with a previous history of a total abdominal hysterectomy who presented with features of intestinal obstruction and was thought to suffer from postoperative adhesions. At laparotomy, appendico-ileal knotting was found; after appendectomy, she made a full recovery. Appendico-ileal knotting should be known as a possible differential diagnosis when managing patients with features of intestinal obstruction and symptoms or signs of appendicitis.