Maternal Asymptomatic Group B Strep Bacteriuria Can Lead to Chorioamnionitis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Early treatment with antibiotics may reduce transmission of this devastating infection to newborns.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
July 3, 2007
Covering:
Anderson BL et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2007 Jun; 196:524.e1-5
Complications of Smallpox Vaccination
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Direct contact with the recently vaccinated can cause vaccinia infections in others.
By Jan V. Hirschmann, MD
June 29, 2007
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2007 May 4; 56:417-9
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2007 May 18; 56:478-81
A Potential Aid in Diagnosis of Sepsis in Newborns
Compared with C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A had better diagnostic accuracy for predicting early-onset sepsis.
By William P. Kanto, Jr., MD
June 27, 2007
Covering:
Arnon S et al., J Perinatol 2007 May; 27:297-302
Midstream Urine Samples in Children: Clean First, Then Collect
Cleaning the perineum or genitals before obtaining a midstream urine sample was associated with lower rates of bacterial contamination.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
June 20, 2007
Covering:
Vaillancourt S et al., Pediatrics 2007 Jun; 119:e1288-93
Fluconazole to Prevent Neonatal Candidiasis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a multicenter trial, fluconazole prophylaxis reduced the incidence of candida colonization and infection in very-low-birth-weight infants.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
June 13, 2007
Covering:
Manzoni P et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jun 14; 356:2483-95
Varicella and Varicella-Zoster Vaccine
Neurology Summary and Comment
Two articles focus on recent changes in the use and effects of the varicella-zoster vaccine in older adults and the varicella vaccine in children.
By Karen Roos, MD
June 12, 2007
Covering:
Kimberlin DW and Whitley RJ., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 29; 356:1338-43
Chaves SS et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 15; 356:1121-9
Can Probiotics Prevent Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Premature Newborns?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A systematic review of randomized trials found that those receiving probiotics were less likely to develop NEC.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
June 5, 2007
Covering:
Deshpande G et al., Lancet 2007 May 12; 369:1614-20
Revised AHA Guidelines for Prevention of Infective Endocarditis
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
The 2007 guidelines reflect questions about the effectiveness of antimicrobial prophylaxis for IE associated with dental, GI, or GU tract procedures.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
May 30, 2007
Covering:
Wilson W et al., Circulation 2007 Apr 19
Pneumococcal Vaccine: The Good, the Bad, and the Uncertain
Conjugated pneumococcal vaccine works, but pockets of disease remain.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
May 23, 2007
Covering:
Grijalva CG et al., Lancet 2007 Apr 7; 369:1179-86
Singleton RJ et al., JAMA 2007 Apr 25; 297:1784-92
Population Effects of Infant Pneumococcal Vaccine
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Admission rates for all-cause infant pneumonia fell sharply after this vaccine was introduced.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
May 22, 2007
Covering:
Grijalva CG et al., Lancet 2007 Apr 7; 369:1179-86
Too Little Volume in Pediatric Blood Cultures
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Only about half of blood cultures had adequate volume in a study at a children’s hospital in Australia.
By Jill M. Baren, MD, MBE, FACEP, FAAP
May 18, 2007
Covering:
Connell TG et al., Pediatrics 2007 May; 119:891-6
Polio: Sustaining the Struggle
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Efficacy of monovalent type 1 poliovirus vaccine was 30% per dose; a dynamic model shows the high cost of failing to eradicate wild polioviruses.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
May 9, 2007
Covering:
Grassly NC et al., Lancet 2007 Apr 21; 369:1356-62
Thompson KM and Tebbens RJD., Lancet 2007 Apr 21; 369:1363-71
Fine PEM and Griffiths UK., Lancet 2007 Apr 21; 369:1321-2
HIV Drug Resistance Among Infants
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In nearly one quarter of HIV-infected infants, the virus was drug-resistant before initiation of treatment.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
May 9, 2007
Covering:
Persaud D et al., J Infect Dis 2007 May 15; 195:1402-10
Heavy Burden from Dengue Infections
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Burden from dengue infections is substantial in Thailand and varies by year and infecting serotype.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
May 9, 2007
Covering:
Anderson KB et al., Lancet 2007 Apr 28; 369:1452-9
Halstead SB et al., Lancet 2007 Apr 28; 369:1410-1
Replacement of Pneumococcal Serotypes After PCV7 Vaccination
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Since the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, initial reductions in invasive pneumococcal infections among Alaska Native children have been eroded by an increase in nonvaccine-serotype infections.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
May 2, 2007
Covering:
Singleton RJ et al., JAMA 2007 Apr 25; 297:1784-92
Should Infants with Bronchiolitis Have Chest X-Rays?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Chest radiography increases antibiotic use for infants with bronchiolitis.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
May 2, 2007
Covering:
Schuh S et al., J Pediatr 2007 Apr; 150:429-33
New Test for Viral Meningitis
This rapid test could minimize treatment delays.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
April 25, 2007
Chest X-Rays Not Necessary in Bronchiolitis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
. . .especially for children who do not have respiratory distress or marked hypoxia.
By Robert A. Dershewitz, MD, MSc
April 24, 2007
Covering:
Schuh S et al., J Pediatr 2007 Apr; 150:429-33
Drotrecogin Alfa for Sepsis in Children?
Treatment had no effect on resolution of organ failure, mortality, or serious bleeding.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
April 18, 2007
Covering:
Nadel S et al., Lancet 2007 Mar 10; 369:836-43
Another Cause for Wheezing?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Human bocavirus was detected in 19% of wheezing children but was found alone in only 5%.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 18, 2007
Covering:
Allander T et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Apr 1; 44:904-10
Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine Immunogenic in Cuban Infants
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
IPV produced high seroconversion rates for poliovirus types 1 and 3, but lower rates for type 2.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
April 11, 2007
Covering:
The Cuba IPV Study Collaborative Group., N Engl J Med 2007 Apr 12; 356:1536-44
A Wake-Up Call for Early Diagnosis of Kawasaki Syndrome
Delayed diagnosis of Kawasaki syndrome is the primary risk factor for coronary artery aneurysms.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
April 4, 2007
Covering:
Wilder MS et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2007 Mar; 26:256-60
Exclusive Breast-Feeding and HIV Transmission
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Exclusively breast-fed infants of HIV-infected mothers were less likely to be infected at 6 months than were similar infants who consumed solids or nonhuman milk.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
April 4, 2007
Covering:
Coovadia HM et al., Lancet 2007 Mar 31; 369:1107-16
Holmes WR and Savage F., Lancet 2007 Mar 31; 369:1065-6
Macrolide Use and Antibiotic Resistance
These antibiotics caused macrolide-resistant streptococci in healthy volunteers.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
March 28, 2007
Covering:
Malhotra-Kumar S et al., Lancet 2007 Feb 10; 369:482-90
Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Artery Aneurysms
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Although IVIG reduces the risk for coronary artery aneurysms in children with Kawasaki disease, delayed diagnosis raises the risk.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
March 28, 2007
Covering:
Wilder MS et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2007 Mar; 26:256-60
