Human Bocavirus: Unlikely a Primary Pathogen, Maybe Just Along for the Ride?
A prospective longitudinal study casts doubt on the role of HBoV as a primary pathogen in pediatric respiratory illness.
Staphylococcus Epidermidis: Stick It up Your Nose?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Certain strains of <$EMPH_O>Staphylococcus epidermidis<$EMPH_C> inhibit nasal <$EMPH_O>S. aureus<$EMPH_C> colonization, and their introduction into the nares may prevent recurrent infections.
Oseltamivir Ring Prophylaxis of 2009 H1N1 Influenza
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Oseltamivir ring prophylaxis was effective in slowing transmission of the 2009 H1N1 virus in semiclosed military camps.
Epidemiology of Influenza — The Household as the Laboratory
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Patterns of viral shedding, course of illness, and transmissibility in the household were similar between pandemic and seasonal influenza A viruses.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
June 9, 2010
Covering:
Cowling BJ et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jun 10; 362:2175
Severe Viral Pneumonia in Kenyan Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Respiratory syncytial virus was the most commonly detected viral pathogen.
Factors Related to Mortality in Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Excess mortality in patients with HCAP was found to be related to age, comorbidities, and decisions to limit therapeutic interventions.
By Thomas Glück, MD
June 9, 2010
Covering:
Rello J et al., Chest 2010 May; 137:1138
Antibiotic Exposure in the Primary Care Setting
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Immediate and sustained bacterial resistance occurred after treatment for urinary or respiratory infections.
Hospital-Acquired Infections Caused by Gram-Negative Bacteria
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
A review of a major healthcare challenge
By Robin Klein, MD
June 7, 2010
Covering:
Peleg AY and Hooper DC., N Engl J Med 2010 May 13; 362:1804
Antibiotics for Inpatients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A retrospective study shows several significant benefits.
Symptom Patterns in 2009 Pandemic Influenza vs. Seasonal Influenza
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A study conducted in Singapore showed significant differences between these illnesses.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
June 2, 2010
Covering:
Tang JW-T et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 May 24; 170:861
Novel Therapy for Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
RNA interference–based therapy showed significant activity in adults experimentally infected with the virus.
Resistance Tied to Antibiotic Use
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Resistance to a particular antibiotic is more likely among individuals who have received that agent than among those who have not; the effect may last a year.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
May 26, 2010
Covering:
Costelloe C et al., BMJ 2010 May 18; 340:c2096
So AD et al., BMJ 2010 May 18; 340:c2071
Morel CM and Mossialos E., BMJ 2010 May 18; 340:c2115
Incidence of Human Metapneumovirus Infection in Hospitalized Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Human metapneumovirus caused as many hospitalizations for acute respiratory infection in young children as did influenza and parainfluenza viruses.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
May 26, 2010
Covering:
Williams JV et al., J Infect Dis 2010 Jun 15; 201:1890
Early Treatment Outcomes in Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In South Africa, 64% of patients with XDR-TB survived
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
May 26, 2010
Covering:
Dheda K et al., Lancet 2010 May 22; 375:1798
Migliori GB and Sotgiu G., Lancet 2010 May 22; 375:1760
Corticosteroids Not Effective in Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Seven days of adjunctive prednisolone did not improve outcomes in patients hospitalized with CAP.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 19, 2010
Covering:
Snijders D et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 May 1; 181:975
Antiviral Treatment for Influenza During Pregnancy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Treatment was not associated with adverse neonatal or maternal outcomes.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
April 29, 2010
Covering:
Greer LG et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010 Apr; 115:711
Pandemic 2009 H1N1 Influenza During Pregnancy
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Such illness was associated with significant morbidity and mortality; early antiviral treatment was beneficial.
Predictors of Unscheduled Return Visits for Bronchiolitis After Emergency Department Discharge
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Age <2 months, male sex, and previous hospitalization were predictors of unscheduled visits within 2 weeks of discharge in children younger than 2 years with bronchiolitis.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
April 23, 2010
Covering:
Norwood A et al., Acad Emerg Med 2010 Apr; 17:376
Shifting Pneumococcal Serotypes
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In Massachusetts, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal infection fell after introduction of the heptavalent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine, then stabilized because of infections from nonvaccine serotypes.
Using Guidelines for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia to Predict Antibiotic Resistance?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In one hospital, the guidelines performed significantly better for patients with risk factors for potentially antibiotic-resistant microorganisms than for patients with no such risk factors.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 21, 2010
Covering:
Ferrer M et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Apr 1; 50:945
Intermittent Therapy for Tuberculosis in HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Bacteriologic recurrence was more common with 6 months of thrice-weekly anti-TB therapy than with 9 months of such therapy.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 21, 2010
Covering:
Swaminathan S et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Apr 1; 181:743
Liquid vs. Solid Culture for Ruling Out Active Tuberculosis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a study involving 435 HIV-infected patients in Peru, a liquid culture tool consistently detected <$EMPH_O>Mycobacterium tuberculosis<$EMPH_C> in sputum samples within 21 days.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 21, 2010
Covering:
Reddy KP et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Apr 1; 50:988
Antipsychotics and Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among older patients, starting antipsychotic therapy increases the risk for fatal and nonfatal community-acquired pneumonia.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
April 14, 2010
Covering:
Trifirò G et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 Apr 5; 152:418
Macrolides Improve Survival in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Patients with CAP and respiratory failure fared better on antibiotic regimens that included a macrolide rather than a fluoroquinolone.
By Thomas Glück, MD
March 31, 2010
Covering:
Martin-Loeches I et al., Intensive Care Med 2010 Apr; 36:612
Waterer GW., Intensive Care Med 2010 Apr; 36:562
Does Oseltamivir Reduce Influenza Transmission?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In a study conducted before the 2009 H1N1 epidemic, oseltamivir was found to reduce symptom duration but not viral shedding or transmission to household contacts.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
March 24, 2010
Covering:
Ng S et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Mar 1; 50:707
Hayward A., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Mar 1; 50:715
