Risk Factors for Clinical Failure in Cellulitis and Skin Abscess
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Hospitalized patients with obesity may experience clinical failure because of inadequate antibiotic dosing.
Antibiotic Resistance — More Than 4 Million Years Old!
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Bacteria from a cave in New Mexico, isolated for more than 4 million years, showed resistance to 14 commercially available antibiotics.
By Thomas Glück, MD
April 25, 2012
Covering:
Bhullar K et al., PLoS ONE 2012 Apr 11; 7:e34953
Cost-Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Stewardship
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
An active antimicrobial stewardship program at an academic medical center was found to be highly cost-effective.
Staph in the Family
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Decolonizing household contacts reduces everyone's chances of infection.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
March 20, 2012
Covering:
Fritz SA et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 15; 54:743
Biomarkers Predict Outcome of Graft-Versus-Host Disease
A six-protein biomarker panel predicted mortality and response to GVHD therapy.
New Insights into the Biology of Metastasis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cancer stem cells and endothelial signaling might point to novel therapies.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
January 31, 2012
Covering:
Malanchi I et al., Nature 2012 Jan 5; 481:85
Png KJ et al., Nature 2012 Jan 12; 481:190
Breast-Feeding and Risk for Eczema
This large study shows breast-feeding does not protect against childhood eczema.
Pressure Ulcers Occur More Often in Black Nursing Home Residents
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Prevalence has declined among all nursing home residents, but racial differences persist.
TNF Inhibitors Double Infection Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
At 1 year, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors were associated with excess risk for serious infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 28, 2011
Covering:
Komano Y et al., J Rheumatol 2011 Jul; 38:1258
Salicylic Acid Is as Effective as Cryotherapy for Plantar Warts
General Medicine Summary and Comment
And costs were lower for home-administered salicylic acid treatment.
Henoch-Schönlein Purpura After Influenza Vaccination
This complication is rare and self-limited in most instances.
Zoonotic Leprosy in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Detailed genetic analysis of <$EMPH_O>Mycobacterium leprae<$EMPH_C> isolates from wild armadillos and human patients suggests that leprosy may be a zoonosis in the southern U.S.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
April 27, 2011
Covering:
Truman RW et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Apr 28; 364:1626
Oral Food Challenges Distinguish Food Sensitization from Allergy
Most children on elimination diets based on immunoassay results have negative oral food challenge tests.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
April 27, 2011
Covering:
Fleischer DM et al., J Pediatr 2011 Apr; 158:578.e1
Are Swimming Pools Safe for Children with Asthma?
In this prospective birth cohort study, swimming did not increase risk for asthma or atopy.
By David J. Amrol, MD
March 23, 2011
Covering:
Font-Ribera L et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Mar 1; 183:582
Piacentini GL and Baraldi E., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Mar 1; 183:569
Bernard A et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Mar 1; 183:570
Ceftaroline Is FDA Approved for Soft-Tissue Infections and Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Ceftaroline is the first FDA-approved cephalosporin with activity against MRSA.
Steroids for Henoch-Schönlein Purpura?
Early steroid use might prevent complications of Henoch-Schönlein purpura in hospitalized children.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
November 3, 2010
Covering:
Weiss PF et al., Pediatrics 2010 Oct; 126:674
Vascular Risk Reduction in Patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a randomized trial, celiprolol, an inexpensive, well-tolerated drug, decreased incidence of arterial rupture or dissection.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
September 29, 2010
Covering:
Ong K-T et al., Lancet 2010 Sep 7
Brooke BS., Lancet 2010 Sep 7
How Accurate Are Tympanic and Infrared Skin Thermometers?
Tympanic temperature measurements seem to be the best alternative to rectal measurements.
Another Study of Antibiotics for Uncomplicated Skin Abscesses
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cure rates were about the same with or without antibiotic administration.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 14, 2010
Covering:
Schmitz GR et al., Ann Emerg Med 2010 Sep; 56:283
Healthcare-Associated MRSA Infections in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Surveillance data from the CDC show that the incidence of such infections declined between 2005 and 2008.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
August 25, 2010
Covering:
Kallen AJ et al., JAMA 2010 Aug 11; 304:641
Perencevich EN and Diekema DJ., JAMA 2010 Aug 11; 304:687
Is the Incidence and Prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis Rising Among Women?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Smoking, vitamin D deficiency, and low-estrogen-dose oral contraceptives could be factors.
By Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD
August 17, 2010
Covering:
Myasoedova E et al., Arthritis Rheum 2010 Jun; 62:1576
Health Insurance Status of U.S. Children
An estimated 19% of U.S. children are underinsured.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
September 8, 2010
Covering:
Kogan MD et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Aug 26; 363:841
Head Lice: Everything You Need to Know
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Head lice have low contagion in classrooms, and infected children should not be restricted from school attendance.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
August 25, 2010
Covering:
Frankowski BL et al., Pediatrics 2010 Aug; 126:392
Parents Can Be Diagnostic Partners for Rare Disorders
Information gained from Internet searches by parents can help with the diagnosis of rare disorders.
Digital Nerve Block: One Injection Is as Good as Two
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Preliminary data support use of a single-injection method for fingertip injuries and infections.
