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
Severe Respiratory Disease in Mexico: Past vs. PresentFree
- July 1, 2009
- Larry M. Baddour, MD
- Infectious Diseases
During the spring 2009 outbreak of H1N1 influenza in Mexico, most deaths and cases of severe pneumonia occurred in younger individuals.
- Reviewing:
- Chowell G et al. N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 29
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) in Mexico: A Clinical Characterization
- July 1, 2009
- Larry M. Baddour, MD
- Infectious Diseases
A case series of 18 hospitalized patients with this viral infection demonstrated morbidity and mortality in previously healthy young to middle-aged individuals.
- Reviewing:
- Perez-Padilla R et al. N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 29
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Rifampin-Resistant TB During Boosted PI Therapy in HIV Patients
- June 29, 2009
- Carlos del Rio, MD
- HIV/AIDS
In New York City, three HIV patients with tuberculosis developed rifampin resistance after being switched to boosted PI therapy and alternate-day rifabutin.
- Reviewing:
- Jenny-Avital ER and Joseph K. Clin Infect Dis 2009 May 15; 48:1471
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Severe RSV Infection and AsthmaFree
- June 24, 2009
- Neil M. Ampel, MD
- Infectious Diseases
Results from a twin study suggest that severe RSV infection does not cause asthma, but rather indicates a genetic predisposition to asthma.
- Reviewing:
- Thomsen SF et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Jun 15; 179:1091
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Dosing of Influenza Vaccine in Older Adults: More Is Better
- June 24, 2009
- Larry M. Baddour, MD
- Infectious Diseases
Phase III trial data further support the use of high-dose influenza vaccine in older adults.
- Reviewing:
- Falsey AR et al. J Infect Dis 2009 Jul 15; 200:172
Enteral Nutrition in the ICU: Where Should the Feeding Tube Go?
- June 22, 2009
- Neil H. Winawer, MD, FHM
- Hospital Medicine
Critically ill patients who received duodenal versus gastric feeding had better nutritional support and fewer episodes of VAP, but length of stay and short-term mortality were unaffected.
- Reviewing:
- Hsu C-W et al. Crit Care Med 2009 Jun; 37:1866
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
TNF Antibodies, T Cells, and Tuberculosis
- June 12, 2009
- Craig A. Elmets, MD
- Dermatology
How does anti-TNF immunotherapy affect host mechanisms that control TB? The findings are suggestive.
- Reviewing:
- Bruns H et al. J Clin Invest 2009 May; 119:1167
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Acid Suppression and Risk for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia
- June 11, 2009
- Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
- General Medicine
PPI use raised risk for acquiring pneumonia by about 30%.
- Reviewing:
- Herzig SJ et al. JAMA 2009 May 27; 301:2120
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Before You Refill the Quinolone, Think of TB
- June 9, 2009
- Abigail Zuger, MD
- General Medicine
Mistaking TB for CAP can induce quinolone resistance, although only rarely.
- Reviewing:
- Long R et al. Clin Infect Dis 2009 May 15; 48:1354
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
ART for HIV/TB-Coinfected Patients Taking Rifampicin: Efavirenz or Nevirapine?
- June 8, 2009
- Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PhD, and Tanuja Gengiah, M Clin Pharm, MS(Epi)
- HIV/AIDS
A study conducted in Thailand suggests that an efavirenz-based regimen might be preferable to a nevirapine-based one in HIV/TB-coinfected patients taking rifampicin.
- Reviewing:
- Manosuthi W et al. Clin Infect Dis 2009 Jun 15; 48:1752
