Pneumococcal Vaccine Prevents Pneumonia in Nursing Homes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Mortality from pneumococcal pneumonia was lower in vaccinated residents.
2009 H1N1 Influenza and HIV Infection
HIV infection does not seem to increase the risk for or severity of 2009 H1N1 influenza, according to data presented at the 2010 Retrovirus Conference.
Do Probiotics Lower Incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia?
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
A recent meta-analysis suggests that they could, but doubt remains.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine: Not Just for Kids Anymore
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine proved efficacious in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease among HIV-infected adolescents and adults.
Lung Cancer After Pneumonia: Red Herring or Canary in a Coal Mine?
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
A substantial proportion of postpneumonia patients subsequently receive lung cancer diagnoses.
By Grace C. Huang, MD
March 1, 2010
Covering:
Mortensen EM et al., Am J Med 2010 Jan; 123:66
Maternal Flu and the Postnatal Brain: An Animal Study
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In rhesus monkeys, titers of virus-specific immunoglobulin are associated with brain abnormalities.
By Barbara Geller, MD
March 1, 2010
Covering:
Short SJ et al., Biol Psychiatry 2010 Jan 13
Genome-Wide RNA Interference Reveals New Influenza Treatment Targets
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Host factors might be excellent targets for stopping viral replication.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
February 25, 2010
Covering:
König R et al., Nature 2010 Feb 11; 463:813
Karlas A et al., Nature 2010 Feb 11; 463:818
When to Start Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Infected Patients with Tuberculosis?
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Trial results from South Africa demonstrate unequivocally that coinfected patients should start antiretroviral therapy no more than 4 weeks after completing the intensive phase of tuberculosis therapy. Whether earlier initiation leads to better outcomes remains to be determined.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
February 24, 2010
Covering:
Abdool Karim SS et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Feb 25; 362:697
A Better Approach for Tuberculosis Screening and Diagnosis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Almost all HIV-infected patients with TB have cough, fever, or night sweats; however, culture is required for diagnosis in most patients with these symptoms.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
February 24, 2010
Covering:
Cain KP et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Feb 25; 362:707
Doxycycline for Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a small randomized trial, 30-day outcomes were no better with doxycycline than with placebo.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 24, 2010
Covering:
Daniels JMA et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Jan 15; 181:150
A Critical Look at Flu Vaccine Studies
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The vaccine can give the impression of preventing death even when no influenza is in sight.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
February 18, 2010
Covering:
Baxter R et al., J Infect Dis 2010 Jan 15; 201:186
Vancomycin plus Rifampin for Nosocomial Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a small, randomized, open-label study, patients fared better with a combination of vancomycin and rifampin than with vancomycin monotherapy.
By Thomas Glück, MD
February 17, 2010
Covering:
Jung YJ et al., Crit Care Med 2010 Jan; 38:175
Management of Cryptococcal Disease
Infectious Diseases Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
A long-awaited and comprehensive update of the previous guidelines
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 17, 2010
Covering:
Perfect JR et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Feb 1; 50:291
Cryptococcus gattii in a Temperate Region
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
<$EMPH_O>C. gattii<$EMPH_C> has become established in British Columbia, Canada; infection usually originates in the lungs but can spread elsewhere — notably, to the CNS.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
February 10, 2010
Covering:
Galanis E and MacDougall L., Emerg Infect Dis 2010 Feb; 16:251
Drug-Resistant TB Among Gold Miners in South Africa
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Among gold miners in South Africa (many of them HIV infected), TB drug resistance spread despite treatment adherence.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
February 3, 2010
Covering:
Calver AD et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2010 Feb; 16:264
TB Recurrence: Reinfection or Relapse?
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Recurrences after successful TB treatment are more common among HIV-positive than HIV-negative patients, and the reasons are different: About half the recurrences in HIV-positive patients represent reinfection rather than reactivation.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
February 1, 2010
Covering:
Crampin AC et al., AIDS 2010 Jan 28; 24:417
Isoniazid Prophylaxis in HIV-Infected Patients
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
HIV-infected patients who received isoniazid preventive therapy as part of a clinical trial in Botswana had low rates of incident tuberculosis and severe adverse events; adherence was quite high.
By Shahin Lockman, MD, MSc
February 1, 2010
Covering:
Mosimaneotsile B et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2009 Nov 20
Three Studies Demonstrate the Safety and Efficacy of Pandemic H1N1 Flu Vaccine
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Results are in from studies in the U.S., China, and Hungary.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
January 21, 2010
Covering:
Plennevaux E et al., Lancet 2010 Jan 2; 375:41
Liang X-F et al., Lancet 2010 Jan 2; 375:56
Vajo Z et al., Lancet 2010 Jan 2; 375:49
Respiratory Infections in the Setting of HIV
Viral pathogens were identified in about 65% of HIV-infected patients seeking outpatient care for respiratory symptoms. Influenza viruses were most common, followed by hMPV.
Incidence and Case Fatality Rates of Novel 2009 Pandemic A/H1N1 Influenza in England
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
H1N1 influenza incidence was highest among children, but H1N1-associated mortality was highest among elders.
Human Metapneumovirus: Innocent Bystander or Important Pathogen?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Among young children with alveolar infiltrates, HMPV was second only to RSV as a viral pathogen.
Air Pollution and Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among older adults, long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulates was associated with hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
January 13, 2010
Covering:
Neupane B et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Jan 1; 181:47
Sporulation in Mycobacteria: Another Look
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Researchers have challenged the results of a study indicating that mycobacteria can produce endospores.
Clinical Outcomes of H1N1 Influenza in California Women During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Risk for severe illness and death extended into the postpartum period.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
January 7, 2010
Covering:
Louie JK et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jan 7; 362:27
A Single H1N1 Immunization for Children?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A randomized clinical trial showed that a single 15-µg dose was immunogenic for children aged 6 months or older.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
January 6, 2010
Covering:
Nolan T et al., JAMA 2010 Jan 6; 303:37
Fiore AE and Neuzil KM., JAMA 2010 Jan 6; 303:73
