Respiratory Infections
The latest information on antibiotics, bronchitis, influenza, pneumonia, and more, drawn from across our primary care and specialty care areas. Sign up now for monthly e-mail alerts on new content.
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Obesity Worsens the Flu in Mice and Men
- February 7, 2012
- Abigail Zuger, MD
- General Medicine
Further, in obese mice, preventive measures often fail.
- Reviewing:
- Kim Y-H et al. J Infect Dis 2012 Jan 15; 205:244
DRUG WATCH
Should Efavirenz Be Dosed Higher When Coadministered with Rifampin?Free
- February 6, 2012
- Tanuja N. Gengiah, M Clin Pharm, MS (Epi), and Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PhD
- HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
The FDA recommends a dosage increase in patients weighing 
50 kg, but data on the interaction between these drugs are inconsistent.
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Influenza in Neurologically Compromised Patients
- January 25, 2012
- Stephen G. Baum, MD
- Infectious Diseases
An outbreak of influenza in patients with incapacitating neurological conditions caused severe infection, despite immunization.
- Reviewing:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2012 Jan 6; 60:1729
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
PPIs and CAP, Revisited
- January 18, 2012
- Neil M. Ampel, MD
- Infectious Diseases
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.
- Reviewing:
- Hermos JA et al. Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jan 1; 54:33
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Rhinoviruses Cause Severe Disease in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
- January 11, 2012
- Robert S. Baltimore, MD
- Infectious Diseases
Among premature infants in Buenos Aires, rhinoviruses were the most common cause of all acute respiratory infections, of bronchiolitis, and of hospitalization for such illnesses.
- Reviewing:
- Miller EK et al. Pediatrics 2012 Jan 1; 129:e60
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
H1N1 Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy Is Protective and Safe
- January 4, 2012
- Stephen G. Baum, MD
- Infectious Diseases
One dose of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 vaccine given during the second or third trimester induced seroprotection in the women and their newborns.
- Reviewing:
- Tsatsaris V et al. Ann Intern Med 2011 Dec 6; 155:733
Clarity on When to Start ART in Active TB
- December 30, 2011
- Carlos del Rio, MD
- HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
For HIV/TB-coinfected patients with advanced immunosuppression, the survival benefit of starting ART within the first 2 weeks after initiation of TB therapy outweighs the risks for IRIS and other adverse events.
CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE WATCH
Recommendations for Use of Short-Course Isoniazid-Rifapentine for Latent TBFree
- December 21, 2011
- Stephen G. Baum, MD
- Infectious Diseases
This two-drug regimen, administered weekly for just 12 weeks, is efficacious in preventing active disease in patients with latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
- Reviewing:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011 Dec 9; 60:1650
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Posaconazole or Voriconazole Potentially Useful for Refractory Coccidioidomycosis
- December 21, 2011
- Neil M. Ampel, MD
- Infectious Diseases
Fourteen of 21 patients on voriconazole and 12 of 16 on posaconazole improved when these drugs were used as salvage therapy.
- Reviewing:
- Kim MM et al. Clin Infect Dis 2011 Dec 1; 53:1060
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Effective Short-Course Treatment for Latent Tuberculosis
- December 20, 2011
- Abigail Zuger, MD
- General Medicine
Three months of isoniazid plus rifapentine worked as well as 9 months of isoniazid.
- Reviewing:
- Sterling TR et al. N Engl J Med 2011 Dec 8; 365:2155
