2009 H1N1 Influenza in a Tour Group in China
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Influenza developed in 30% of tour members who had talked with an H1N1-infected woman in the group but in none who had not.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
October 14, 2009
Covering:
Han K et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2009 Oct; 15:1578
New Approach to Treating Tuberculosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Targeting nonreplicative bacteria might avert long courses of therapy for TB patients.
Is Your Shower Like the Shower in the Bates Motel?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Researchers analyzed the microbial population living inside showerheads.
By Jan V. Hirschmann, MD
October 9, 2009
Covering:
Feazel LM et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009 Sep 22; 106:16393
Antibiotic Guideline Compliance and Outcomes for CAP
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Two large studies support guideline-based care.
By J. Stephen Bohan, MD, MS, FACP, FACEP
October 9, 2009
Covering:
McCabe C et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Sep 14; 169:1525
Arnold FW et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Sep 14; 169:1515
Sharpe BA., Arch Intern Med 2009 Sep 14; 169:1462
Strep Antibodies and PANDAS: An Animal Study
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Researchers tie behavioral abnormalities to strep-associated antibodies.
By Barbara Geller, MD
October 9, 2009
Covering:
Yaddanapudi K et al., Mol Psychiatry 2009 Aug 11
Pneumonia Severity and Bacterial Load
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In patients with community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia, high bacterial load at admission was associated with need for mechanical ventilation, development of shock, and in-hospital death.
By Thomas Glück, MD
October 7, 2009
Covering:
Rello J et al., Chest 2009 Sep; 136:832
CAP Treatment Recommendations: Guided in the Right Direction
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Results of two large cohort studies indicate that adherence to guidelines for treating community-acquired pneumonia is a good thing.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
October 7, 2009
Covering:
Arnold FW et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Sep 14; 169:1515
McCabe C et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Sep 14; 169:1525
Sharpe BA., Arch Intern Med 2009 Sep 14; 169:1462
Procalcitonin Algorithm Reduces Antibiotic Use for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Without increasing adverse outcomes of disease
By John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM
October 2, 2009
Covering:
Schuetz P et al., JAMA 2009 Sep 9; 302:1059
Yealy DM and Fine MJ., JAMA 2009 Sep 9; 302:1115
More on Blood β-Glucan to Diagnose PCP
In a study conducted in Japan, 96% of patients with HIV-related PCP had abnormal β-glucan levels.
By Paul E. Sax, MD
September 28, 2009
Covering:
Watanabe T et al., Clin Infect Dis 2009 Oct 1; 49:1128
Comparative Efficacy of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Inactivated vaccine was more efficacious than live-attenuated vaccine in healthy adults.
By Lynn L. Estes, PharmD
September 23, 2009
Covering:
Monto AS et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 24; 361:1260
2009 H1N1 Influenza — The Pandemic Continues
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Since the emergence of this virus in spring 2009, the number of infections has remained uncharacteristically high, presaging a bad winter for influenza.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
September 23, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 Sep 18; 58:1009
Candida Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patients?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among ICU patients who died with evidence of pneumonia, autopsy revealed no cases of <$EMPH_O>Candida<$EMPH_C> pneumonia, even in those with positive <$EMPH_O>Candida<$EMPH_C> cultures before death.
By Thomas Glück, MD
September 23, 2009
Covering:
Meersseman W et al., Intensive Care Med 2009 Sep; 35:1526
Ricard J-D and Roux D., Intensive Care Med 2009 Sep; 35:1500
Neurological Impairments After H5N1 Viral Infection: An Animal Study
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Long-term parkinsonian symptoms might follow acute H5N1 influenza.
By Barbara Geller, MD
September 21, 2009
Covering:
Jang H et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009 Aug 18; 106:14063
Good News and Bad News About 2009 H1N1 Influenza ("Swine Flu")
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Only a minority of stored serum samples in the U.S. contained antibodies against H1N1, but a new vaccine easily elicited them.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
September 17, 2009
Covering:
Hancock K et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10
Clark TW et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10
Greenberg ME et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10
2009 H1N1 Vaccine: Will One Dose Be Enough?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A single 15-µg dose of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, without an adjuvant, produced strong immune responses in 97% of healthy adults.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
September 16, 2009
Covering:
Greenberg ME et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10
Neuzil KM., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10
Preexisting Immunity to the 2009 H1N1 Virus
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Very few individuals younger than 30 have protective levels of cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against this virus.
Which Pneumococcal Vaccine for Adults with COPD?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a small study, serologic responses were generally better with the 7-valent protein-conjugate vaccine than with the currently approved 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
September 16, 2009
Covering:
Dransfield MT et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Sep 15; 180:499
Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Virus ("Swine Flu") Probably Is More Virulent Than Seasonal Flu Virus
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
In animal models, the pandemic virus replicates faster and damages lungs more.
Inhaled Steroids in COPD: Is Risk for Pneumonia Really Higher?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk was not elevated in patients who received budesonide.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
September 8, 2009
Covering:
Sin DD et al., Lancet 2009 Aug 29; 374:712
Welte T., Lancet 2009 Aug 29; 374:668
Who Should Receive Flu Vaccine?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A mathematical model incorporating transmission dynamics suggests that priority be given to immunizing schoolchildren and adults aged 30 to 39.
Upper-Airway Specimens at ICU Admission to Guide VAP Treatment?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Microorganisms identified in upper-airway specimens fairly accurately predicted the pathogens underlying early-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia.
By Thomas Glück, MD
September 2, 2009
Covering:
Pirracchio R et al., Crit Care Med 2009 Sep; 37:2559
What's New with the Flu?
New clinical information and updated preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic recommendations geared for pediatricians
Reducing Radiation Exposure in the ED
Careful history and physical exam can obviate the need for radiologic tests in children with headache or wheezing.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
August 19, 2009
Covering:
Lateef TM et al., Pediatrics 2009 Jul; 124:e12
Mathews B et al., Pediatrics 2009 Jul; 124:e29
Moxifloxacin Instead of Isoniazid for Pulmonary TB?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In a multinational trial, rates of culture negativity after 2 months of therapy were similar between the two drugs.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
August 19, 2009
Covering:
Dorman SE et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Aug 1; 180:273
Trends in Antibiotic Use in Acute Respiratory Tract Infections
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Overall use continues to decline, but broad-spectrum antibiotic use rose dramatically.
