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Background Upon re-examination of our human history, evolutionary perspectives, and genetics, a prevailing iron deficiency phenotype appears to have evolved to protect the human race from extinction. Body In this review, we summarize the evolutionary and genetic perspectives pointing towards the hypothesis that low iron mitigates infection. The presence of infection promotes the generation of resistance alleles, and there are some evolutionary and genetic clues that suggest the presence of an iron deficiency phenotype that may have developed to protect against infection. Examples include the relative paucity of iron overload genes given the essential role of iron, as well as the persistence of iron deficiency among populations in spite of public health efforts to treat it. Additional examination of geographic areas with severe iron deficiency in the setting of pandemics including H1N1, SARS, and COVID-19 reveals that areas with higher prevalence of iron deficiency are less affected. RNA viruses have several evolutionary adaptations which suggest their absolute need for iron, and this dependency may be exploited during treatment. Conclusion RNA viruses pose a unique challenge to modern healthcare, with an average of 2–3 new pathogens being discovered yearly. Their overarching requirements for iron, along with human evolutionary and genetic adaptations which favored an iron deficiency phenotype, ultimately suggest the potential need for iron control in these infections.

We report a case of postarthroscopic popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm (PSA) with arteriovenous fistula (AVF; PSA-AVF) in a 53-year-old woman who presented with limb edema, pain, and bruit 1 year after arthroscopic meniscectomy. She was treated percutaneously by covered stent deployment. After 6 months of follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic, with patency of the stent and occlusion of the AVF. A review of the literature was also performed to investigate the prevalence of postarthroscopic PSAs and highlight the endovascular approach of treatment. Endovascular approach with covered stent appears to be less invasive and might be an effective and feasible way of treatment of postarthroscopic popliteal PSA-AVF.

The adaptive use of Janus kinase (JAK)-inhibitors has been suggested by rheumatology experts in the management of COVID-19. We recount the rationale behind their use in this setting, and the current evidence for and against their use in this review. JAK-inhibitors role in COVID-19 infection appears to be multifaceted, including preventing viral endocytosis and dampening the effect of excessive chemokines. This drug class may be able to achieve these effects at already preapproved dosages. Concerns arise regarding reactivation of latent viral infections and the feasibility of their use in those with severe disease. Most interestingly, JAK-Inhibitors may also have an additional advantage for diabetic and obese populations, where the dysregulation of JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway may be responsible for their increased risk of poor outcomes. Targeting this pathway may provide a therapeutic advantage for these patient groups.

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