Progress in Understanding the Link Between RSV Infection and Recurrent Wheezing
Healthy, late preterm infants treated with anti-RSV monoclonal antibody during an RSV season had 61% fewer days of wheezing during the first year of life than controls.
By Louis M. Bell, MD http://pediatrics.jwatch.org/misc/board_about.dtl#aBell
May 15, 2013
Covering:
Blanken MO et al., N Engl J Med 2013 May 9; 368:1791
Lemanske RF Jr., N Engl J Med 2013 May 9; 368:1839
Severe Illness from a Novel Avian Influenza Virus in China
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A novel reassortant H7N9 virus is causing an outbreak of severe respiratory illness in China, with possible limited human-to-human spread.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
May 15, 2013
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2013 May 10; 62:366
Avian Influenza A (H7N9): Origin and Diversity
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The H7N9 virus might have evolved from four origins; the multiple reassortant events may have involved wild birds and poultry.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
May 15, 2013
Covering:
Liu D et al., Lancet 2013 May 1
Van Ranst M and Lemey P., Lancet 2013 May 1
Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus in Humans and Poultry
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Isolates from a chicken and from a human with H7N9 virus infection after poultry exposure were nearly identical, suggesting poultry-to-person transmission.
Long-Term Macrolides for Bronchiectasis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Fewer exacerbations occurred, but at the cost of antibiotic resistance.
By Patricia Kritek, MD
April 30, 2013
Covering:
Altenburg J et al., JAMA 2013 Mar 27; 309:1251
Serisier DJ et al., JAMA 2013 Mar 27; 309:1260
Novel Avian-Origin Influenza A (H7N9) Virus in China
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Testing of throat-swab specimens from three patients who died of severe lower respiratory tract disease revealed infection with a novel reassortant H7N9 virus.
Respiratory Viruses and Otitis Media
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Seasonal activity of respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus was strongly correlated with seasonal diagnosis of acute otitis media.
Neuraminidase Inhibitor Resistance Uncommon with Latest Pandemic Influenza A Strain
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Although little NAI resistance was seen in the most-recent pandemic influenza A strain (H1N1pdm2009), it was detected in a few patients — mainly young children — after oseltamivir treatment.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 17, 2013
Covering:
Whitley RJ et al., Clin Infect Dis 2013 May 1; 56:1197
Another Look at That Old Friend, Pneumonia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Pneumococcal pneumonia foretold considerably higher 10-year mortality than the expected rate.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
April 16, 2013
Covering:
Sandvall B et al., Clin Infect Dis 2013 Apr 15; 56:1145
Tdap Vaccination of Women During Every Pregnancy Recommended
Women's Health Guideline Watch
Expanded strategy to protect neonates against pertussis
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
April 11, 2013
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2013 Feb 22; 62:131
Mycobacterium abscessus Transmitted Among Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Phylogenetic analysis implicated cross infection; the exact mechanism of transmission remains to be established.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
April 10, 2013
Covering:
Bryant JM et al., Lancet 2013 Mar 29
O'Sullivan BP and Sassetti CM., Lancet 2013 Mar 29
Does Clarithromycin Use Lead to CV Events?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In patients with COPD or pneumonia, clarithromycin was associated with prolonged excess risk for adverse cardiovascular events.
Influenza Can Sneak Past Surgical Masks
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Air samples yielded small-particle viral RNA as far as 6 feet from infected patients.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
April 9, 2013
Covering:
Bischoff WE et al., J Infect Dis 2013 Apr 1; 207:1037
Hall CB., J Infect Dis 2013 Apr 1; 207:1027
Sunshine and Tuberculosis: Is There a Relationship?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
What does a seasonal variation in TB incidence mean with regard to sun exposure and vitamin D status?
Yes, Flu Vaccination Is Safe During Pregnancy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Two large cohort studies confirm influenza vaccination does not carry risk for adverse effects in pregnant women or their newborns.
Novel Coronavirus Causes Lethal Respiratory Disease
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Among 14 patients with confirmed novel coronavirus infection, 8 have died; so far, no cases have been reported in the U.S.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
March 20, 2013
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2013 Mar 15; 62:194
Home Oxygen Therapy for Young Children with Bronchiolitis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Combining the use of an observation unit and home oxygen therapy resulted in shorter hospital stays and cost savings.
Telomere Length Predicts Vulnerability to the Common Cold
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In young adults, shorter telomeres were associated with weaker viral immunity.
New TB Vaccine Not Efficacious in Infants
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
MVA85A given to infants previously vaccinated with BCG induced modest immune responses but did not prevent tuberculosis or infection with <$EMPH_O>Mycobacterium tuberculosis<$EMPH_C>.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
February 20, 2013
Covering:
Tameris MD et al., Lancet 2013 Feb 4
Dye C and Fine PEM., Lancet 2013 Feb 4
ECMO Does Not Improve Outcome for Influenza A (H1N1)–Associated ARDS
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Comparison of patients treated with conventional mechanical ventilation and matched patients treated with ECMO showed no difference in intensive care unit mortality.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 20, 2013
Covering:
Pham T et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013 Feb 1; 187:276
Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for 2013
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
Highlights of the updated recommendations and a link to the CDC's vaccine resources
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
February 14, 2013
Covering:
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices., Ann Intern Med 2013 Feb 5; 158:191
The Scope of Human Metapneumovirus in Young Children
HMPV infection is a common cause of outpatient visits and hospitalizations.
Viral Shedding in Influenza A Infections
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Up to 96% of total infectiousness in children — and 82% in adults — could be accounted for by individuals in the top 20% of cumulative viral shedding.
Pediatric Hospital Readmissions Vary Widely by Hospital and Diagnoses
Ten diagnoses account for about 30% of readmissions.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
February 6, 2013
Covering:
Berry JG et al., JAMA 2013 Jan 23/30; 309:372
Srivastava R and Keren R., JAMA 2013 Jan 23/30; 309:396
Trends in Undervaccination: A National Issue
Prevalence is increasing, and undervaccinated children have fewer outpatient visits but more hospitalizations.
