Neurologic Effects of Early HIV Infection
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Significant structural brain changes are found within the first 6 months of HIV infection.
Sexually Transmitted Infections Acquired During Travel
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A GeoSentinel analysis identified several risk factors for travel-associated STIs, including male sex and lack of a pretravel health consultation.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
December 5, 2012
Covering:
Matteelli A et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2012 Nov 22
Croughs M and Van den Ende JJ., Lancet Infect Dis 2012 Nov 22
Renal Safety of Treatment for Chronic HBV Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Nephrotoxicity was similar with tenofovir or entecavir.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
September 21, 2012
Covering:
Gish RG et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Aug; 10:941
High and Varied Levels of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among isolates from patients with MDR-TB, 44% showed resistance to at least one second-line drug, and 7% were extensively resistant.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
September 19, 2012
Covering:
Dalton T et al., Lancet 2012 Aug 30
Hoffner S., Lancet 2012 Aug 30
Reducing the Rate of Active TB by Targeted Testing and Treatment
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Such a program, initiated by the Tennessee Department of Health, prevented an estimated 184 cases of active tuberculosis during its first 5 years.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
August 22, 2012
Covering:
Cain KP et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012 Aug 1; 186:273
HBV or HCV Infection: Which Is Worse?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a cohort of men who have sex with men, hepatitis B virus infection conferred a higher risk for liver-related mortality than did hepatitis C virus infection.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
August 22, 2012
Covering:
Falade-Nwulia O et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Aug 15; 55:507
Trends in HIV Risk Behaviors in Teens from 1991 to 2011
Improvements in the first decade are now dangerously stalled.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
August 15, 2012
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2012 Jul 27; 61:556
Antiviral Therapy Safely Stopped in HBeAg-Negative Patients with Hepatitis B Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Discontinuing adefovir did not lead to any adverse events during 5.5 years of follow-up.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
August 3, 2012
Covering:
Hadziyannis SJ et al., Gastroenterology 2012 Jun 4
False-Positive Interferon Assays for Latent Tuberculosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
One hospital's experience suggests routinely repeating tests in converters.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
August 7, 2012
Covering:
Fong KS et al., Chest 2012 Jul 1; 142:55
Diel R et al., Chest 2012 Jul 1; 142:63
Loddenkemper R et al., Chest 2012 Jul 1; 142:10
Metronidazole for TB?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A 2-month metronidazole regimen was as effective as a 6-month isoniazid regimen in a macaque model of latent TB.
Tuberculosis Is Seasonal in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Analysis of 16 years of CDC data suggests a spring peak and a fall trough in cases resulting from recent infection.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
June 20, 2012
Covering:
Willis MD et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jun 1; 54:1553
Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis — Good News, Bad News
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A phase II clinical trial of a novel agent offers hope, even as survey results from China prompt serious concern.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
June 6, 2012
Covering:
Gler MT et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Jun 7; 366:2151
Zhao Y et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Jun 7; 366:2161
Chaisson RE and Nuermberger EL., N Engl J Med 2012 Jun 7; 366:2223
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
Time to Broaden HCV Testing?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Improvements in treatment are changing the calculus of screening the general population for hepatitis C virus infection.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
May 8, 2012
Covering:
Coffin PO et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 May 1; 54:1259
New Tests Predict Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
A battery of quantitative liver-function tests might provide a noninvasive method of risk assessment.
A Review of Drug Interactions of Telaprevir and Boceprevir
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A compendium of information on how these protease inhibitors interact with other drugs often needed by patients with HCV infection
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
Exploring Immunity to Hepatitis C
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Researchers have identified an anti–hepatitis C monoclonal antibody that is broadly cross-reactive and is protective in a mouse model.
HCV Genotype Might Affect Response in Interferon-Free Regimens
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a small exploratory analysis, patients with <$EMPH_O>IL28B<$EMPH_C> genotype CC trended towards greater reductions in viral load than those with genotypes TT or CT.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 20, 2012
Covering:
Chu TW et al., Gastroenterology 2012 Apr; 142:790
TMP-SMX–Associated Renal Toxicity
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Acute kidney injury occurred in 11% of TMP-SMX recipients but nearly always resolved after drug discontinuation.
By Thomas Glück, MD
April 4, 2012
Covering:
Fraser TN et al., J Antimicrob Chemother 2012 Feb 20
Do HIV-Positive Women with Prior Hysterectomies Require Pap Testing?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Although HIV-positive women frequently have abnormal Pap results, the absolute risk for vaginal dysplasia and malignancy is low.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
March 8, 2012
Covering:
Massad LS et al., Obstet Gynecol 2012 Mar; 119:582
Mortality Rate Now Higher for HCV Than HIV Infection in the U.S.
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
As many as 75% of people with HCV infection do not know that they are infected; a one-time screening holds promise for identifying and treating them.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 9, 2012
Covering:
Ly KN et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Feb 21; 156:271
Rein DB et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Feb 21; 156:263
Highly Azithromycin-Resistant Gonococcus Identified in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
This discovery bodes ill for treatment of gonorrhea.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
March 7, 2012
Covering:
Katz AR et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 15; 54:841
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
Testing Midstream Urine for Chlamydia trachomatis
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Midstream samples might be adequate for evaluating both chlamydial and urinary tract infections, but study results were not definitive.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
February 2, 2012
Covering:
Mangin D et al., Ann Fam Med 2012 Jan/Feb; 10:50
