The Benefits of Contact Investigation for TB
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
Active TB was diagnosed in 1% of contacts within 4 years after exposure; chemoprophylaxis of those with latent infection significantly reduced the risk for active disease.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 16, 2012
Covering:
Anger HA et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 May 1; 54:1287
ART Reduces TB Risk, Even in High-Income Countries
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
Summary and Comment
Free
However, the benefit is not seen in patients who start ART at very low CD4-cell counts.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
May 14, 2012
Covering:
The HIV-CAUSAL Collaboration., Clin Infect Dis 2012 May 1; 54:1364
Antibiotics Are Overprescribed for Acute Bronchitis
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
Antibiotics were prescribed to too many patients and bronchodilators to too few at two emergency departments in San Diego.
Avian Influenza Transmission in Mammals
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
The first of two highly controversial studies of modified avian H5N1 influenza virus has now been published.
Viral Etiology Affects Length of Stay in Children with Bronchiolitis
Compared with hospitalized children with RSV alone, those with RSV plus rhinovirus had significantly longer hospital stays.
Does Vitamin D Supplementation Reduce the Rate of Infant Pneumonia?
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
In a vitamin D–deficient infant population, such supplementation did not reduce the incidence of pneumonia or change the age at which first episodes occurred.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
May 2, 2012
Covering:
Manaseki-Holland S et al., Lancet 2012 Apr 14; 379:1419
Martineau AR., Lancet 2012 Apr 14; 379:1373
A Recombinant Vaccine for Tuberculosis
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
In a phase IIa trial, vaccination with MVA85A was well tolerated and induced T-cell responses in individuals with HIV infection, Mtb infection, or both.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 2, 2012
Covering:
Scriba TJ et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012 Apr 1; 185:769
Can You Diagnose Strep Throat Without a Culture?
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Compared with culture or rapid diagnostic tests, clinical criteria for diagnosing streptococcal pharyngitis are not sufficiently specific.
Linezolid Outperforms Vancomycin for Nosocomial MRSA Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
The clinical cure rate was significantly higher with linezolid than with vancomycin; mortality and serious adverse event rates were similar between the drugs.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
March 21, 2012
Covering:
Wunderink RG et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 1; 54:621
Torres A., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 1; 54:630
Nontreatment Factors Affect Outcome in MAC Lung Disease
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
In a retrospective analysis conducted in Japan, fibrocavitary disease, anemia, low body-mass index, and elevated C-reactive protein level were associated with increased risk for MAC-specific death.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
March 21, 2012
Covering:
Hayashi M et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012 Mar 1; 185:575
Pasteurella Infections — Not Only from Animal Bites
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Sick pets may transmit upper respiratory infection.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
March 20, 2012
Covering:
Myers EM et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 15; 54:e55
Influenza Vaccine Immunogenicity: Pregnancy and Postpartum
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Response to influenza vaccine appeared no worse in the third trimester than in other stages of pregnancy or postpartum.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
March 15, 2012
Covering:
Sperling RS et al., Obstet Gynecol 2012 Mar; 119:631
CT Angiography Potentially Useful for Diagnosing Invasive Mold Disease
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography performed in 36 immunocompromised patients identified 10 of 12 individuals with proven or probable invasive mold disease.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
March 14, 2012
Covering:
Stanzani M et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 1; 54:610
Herbrecht R and Roedlich M-N., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 1; 54:617
Macrolide Resistance of Group A Streptococcus
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Acute rheumatic fever developed in two children treated for streptococcal pharyngitis with azithromycin.
Linezolid Bests Vancomycin for MRSA Pneumonia
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Linezolid leads to more clinical cures but similar overall mortality and has a much higher price tag.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
March 13, 2012
Covering:
Wunderink RG et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 1; 54:621
Torres A., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 1; 54:630
Colistin Regains a Clinical Role
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Free
A meta-analysis supports its use for ventilator-associated pneumonia.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
March 8, 2012
Covering:
Florescu DF et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 1; 54:670
Falagas ME and Rafailidis PI., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 1; 54:681
Human H5N1 Infection: Refining the Estimates
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
Mild human infection with the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus appears to be relatively common, making mortality rates lower than originally feared.
Home Oxygen Protocol Is Safe for Hypoxic Infants with Bronchiolitis
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
Only 6% of infants aged 3 to 18 months who were given home oxygen therapy subsequently required admission.
Cost-Effectiveness of Adult Pneumococcal Vaccines
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
Mathematical modeling indicates that the new adult pneumococcal conjugate vaccine could be more cost-effective than the current pneumococcal polysaccharide product.
School's Out: Limiting the Spread of H1N1 Influenza
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
In 2009, school closure in Alberta, Canada, was associated with reduced incidence of influenza.
Correlating Xpert MTB/RIF Results with Sputum Smear Status
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
In a study involving 130 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, an Xpert MTB/RIF cycle time >31.8 indicated an 80% likelihood of smear negativity.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 22, 2012
Covering:
Theron G et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Feb 1; 54:384
Fennelly KP., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Feb 1; 54:389
Obesity Worsens the Flu in Mice and Men
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Further, in obese mice, preventive measures often fail.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
February 7, 2012
Covering:
Kim Y-H et al., J Infect Dis 2012 Jan 15; 205:244
O'Brien KB et al., J Infect Dis 2012 Jan 15; 205:252
Beck MA., J Infect Dis 2012 Jan 15; 205:172
Should Efavirenz Be Dosed Higher When Coadministered with Rifampin?
The FDA recommends a dosage increase in patients weighing 50 kg, but data on the interaction between these drugs are inconsistent.
Influenza in Neurologically Compromised Patients
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
An outbreak of influenza in patients with incapacitating neurological conditions caused severe infection, despite immunization.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
January 25, 2012
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2012 Jan 6; 60:1729
PPIs and CAP, Revisited
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
In a retrospective, nested case-control study, the risk for community-acquired pneumonia was 29% higher with current use of a proton-pump inhibitor than with past use.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
January 18, 2012
Covering:
Hermos JA et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jan 1; 54:33