The usefulness of case reports in managing emerging infectious disease

Viroj Wiwanitkit

doi:10.1186/1752-1947-5-194

Abstract

Emerging infectious diseases are an important problem in medicine. Case reports usually document episodes in the early emerging phase or in a small outbreak. Although the case report is considered weak evidence in medical literature, it is usually the first report when there is a new emerging infectious disease. There is no doubt that case reports can provide useful information for further case series, reviews and studies. This editorial focuses on the usefulness of the case report on emerging infectious disease to the medical society. Publication in this area is highly welcomed by the journal and can serve as a future point of reference.

Highlights

Emerging infectious diseases are an important problem in medicine
The case report is a specific kind of publication in the medical literature
This specific kind of article is seldom seen in other non-medical literature

Summary

Introduction

Emerging infectious diseases are an important problem in medicine. Case reports usually document episodes in the early emerging phase or in a small outbreak. The case report is a specific kind of publication in the medical literature. Case reports usually describe a specific group of medical disorders including metabolic diseases, malignancies, infections and genetic disorders. Case reports on infection have a long history.

Results

Conclusion