A study of dengue viruses that were in circulation in Jamaica in 2007 identified strains of DENV-1 genotype III, DENV-2 strains of the American, American-Asian and Asian genotypes while DENV-4 strains segregated into a separate clade from published reference sequences.

The study was designed to investigate the effects of infection and/or cholesterol rich diet combined with therapeutic and preventative agents such as antibiotic, anti-inflammatory agent and red wine on the pulmonary vascular system.

Vanillylmandelic acid testing at the University Hospital of the West Indies has low positive predictive value, and special care must be taken in interpreting marginally elevated results. The use of assays with higher specificity (eg plasma or urinary metanephrines) may represent a more cost-effective approach to biochemical screening for phaeochromocytoma.

This study aimed to determine the outcome of the febrile neutropenic episodes in the paediatric oncology population at one centre in Trinidad. A positive treatment outcome was achieved in 91% of the episodes.

A qualitative study of rural and urban based Jamaican adolescents’ perspectives on violence, its impact on their attitudes and behaviours as well as their implications.

Intramuscular penicillin prophylaxis, despite commonly perceived challenges, is a practical option which can contribute to better patient compliance and thus significantly impact global rates of invasive pneumococcal disease and its complications in children with SCD and other similar conditions.

Gene therapy is the attempt to treat diseases by means of genetic manipulation. Numerous challenges remain to be overcome before it becomes available as a safe and effective treatment option. This article discusses the commonly used techniques employed in gene therapy, and summarizes breakthroughs achieved so far in clinical applications of gene therapy.

This article is intended to assist other organizations planning to travel to Jamaica for a medical mission. We had the opportunity to send an interdisciplinary healthcare team to Jamaica over the last 9 years. This article aims to discuss medication ordering and preparation from our experiences.