Text Message Reminders Can Improve Pediatric Influenza Vaccination Rates
The intervention had the greatest effect on vaccination rates in younger children in a low-income urban community.
High Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Level Increases Risk for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
The finding was for patients with a low hepatitis B virus DNA level.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
May 4, 2012
Covering:
Tseng T-C et al., Gastroenterology 2012 May; 142:1140
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
Eradication of Staphylococcus aureus Colonization Is Effective in Only Half of Cases
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
But a larger reduction in subsequent skin and soft-tissue infections was seen when the entire household was treated.
By Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP
May 4, 2012
Covering:
Fritz SA et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 15; 54:743
Miller LG., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 15; 54:752
Funding HIV Activities at the State Level: Is There a Better Way?
The amount of funding that states receive may not adequately reflect the relative burden of disease they face.
By Keith Henry, MD
May 7, 2012
Covering:
Mansergh G et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2012 Apr 15; 59:516
Dolutegravir Holds Promise
In a 48-week, phase II study, this investigational integrase inhibitor was as effective as efavirenz and better tolerated.
By Helmut Albrecht, MD
May 7, 2012
Covering:
van Lunzen J et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2012 Feb; 12:111
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.
No Evidence of Elevated Risk for Febrile Seizures in Children Ages 4 to 6 After Measles-Containing Vaccines
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine administered with and without varicella vaccine was not associated with elevated risk for fever or febrile seizure.
By Louis M. Bell, MD
May 2, 2012
Covering:
Klein NP et al., Pediatrics 2012 May; 129:809
Rabeprazole-Based Rescue Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Successful in Malaysia
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
After PPI-based triple therapy failed, most infections were eradicated with rabeprazole and amoxicillin.
PrEP in MSM: Enough Bang for the Buck?
PrEP may be cost-effective, particularly in high-risk MSM, but many questions remain.
By Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH
April 30, 2012
Covering:
Juusola JL et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156:541
How Well Do MDs Follow HIV Treatment Guidelines?
In Australia, they did well in some things, poorly in others.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
April 30, 2012
Covering:
Bloch M et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2012 Apr 15; 59:478
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
Albumin for Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: For High-Risk Patients Only
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
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More evidence that patients with cirrhosis who have intact renal function and low serum bilirubin levels probably do not need albumin during SBP
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 13, 2012
Covering:
Poca M et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Mar; 10:309
Proton-Pump Inhibitor Use Associated with Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A higher rate of recent PPI use was seen in patients with cirrhosis who had SBP versus those who did not.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 20, 2012
Covering:
Goel GA et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Apr; 10:422
MRSA Is a Rare but Important Cause of Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients known to carry methicillin-resistant <$EMPH_O>Staphylococcus aureus<$EMPH_C> and those with nursing home admission or exposure to skin infection were at highest risk for MRSA-caused pneumonia.
By Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP
April 13, 2012
Covering:
Moran GJ et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Apr 15; 54:1126
Mandell LA and Wunderink R., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Apr 15; 54:1134
HPV Vaccination for Treating Anal Neoplasia?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Vaccination of men with early anal neoplasia may reduce risk for recurrence.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
April 10, 2012
Covering:
Swedish KA et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Apr; 54:891
A Skeptic Looks at "Test and Treat"
The theory is appealing, but what happens in reality?
Aseptic Meningitis an Adverse Effect of Lamotrigine
Neurology Summary and Comment
An analysis of FDA data suggests that aseptic meningitis may be associated with lamotrigine.
By Jaime Toro, MD
April 3, 2012
Covering:
Simms KM et al., Neurology 2012 Mar 20; 78:921
Fecal Transplantation Effective for C. difficile Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In the largest case series to date, fecal transplantation was associated with a 94% cure rate.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
March 30, 2012
Covering:
Mattila E et al., Gastroenterology 2012 Mar; 142:490
Treating Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Kids: How Guideline Implementation Affects Practice
Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics declined after implementation of guidelines for treating children hospitalized with uncomplicated CAP.
A Snapshot of HIV Infection Among Injection-Drug Users in the U.S.
Despite ongoing high-risk behavior, the prevalence of HIV infection among injection-drug users is about half of what it was a decade ago.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
March 26, 2012
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2012 Mar 2; 61:133
Follow-Up Sexual Abuse Examinations in Children Can Change Diagnosis or Treatment
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Follow-up exams added clinically significant information in 23% of cases.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
March 23, 2012
Covering:
Gavril AR et al., Pediatrics 2012 Feb; 129:282
Topical Antibiotics for Clean Dermatologic Procedures
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Less-frequent use is a step in the right direction.
By Jan V. Hirschmann, MD
March 23, 2012
Covering:
Levender MM et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2012 Mar; 66:445
Zoster Vaccine Safe and Immunogenic in HIV-Infected Patients
CROI 2012 featured results from the first clinical trial of this vaccine in the HIV-infected population.
Is Oral Antibiotic Therapy Enough for Children with Acute Pyelonephritis?
A randomized trial failed to prove the noninferiority of oral antibiotic monotherapy, relative to sequential intravenous and oral therapy, but evidence supporting oral treatment alone as an option is accumulating.
By Louis M. Bell, MD
March 21, 2012
Covering:
Bocquet N et al., Pediatrics 2012 Feb; 129:e269
