A Whole-Virus Vaccine for Avian Flu Appears Safe and Immunogenic
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A dose-sparing vaccine performed well, offering promise that supplies could be stretched to protect more people.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
October 26, 2006
Covering:
Lin J et al., Lancet 2006 Sep 16; 368:991-7
Influenza and Inflammation — A Lethal Link
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Virulence of the H5N1 and the 1918–1919 pandemic influenza A viruses has been linked to induction of host inflammatory responses.
By Bradley E. Britigan, MD
October 25, 2006
Covering:
de Jong MD et al., Nat Med 2006 Oct; 12:1203-7
Kash JC et al., Nature 2006 Oct 5; 443:578-81
Defining Macrolide Resistance in MAC Lung Disease
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A retrospective review suggests that macrolide resistance develops least frequently in patients treated with a three-drug regimen.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
October 25, 2006
Covering:
Griffith DE et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2006 Oct 15; 174:928-34
Offer Flu Vaccine in Your Cardiology Practice
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
The AHA and ACC have jointly published a detailed, practical science advisory recommending flu vaccination for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
October 11, 2006
Covering:
Davis MM et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2006 Oct 3; 48:1498-502
Faster Diagnosis of MDR-TB
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
The microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility assay is faster and more sensitive than existing methods for diagnosing TB and multidrug-resistant TB.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
October 11, 2006
Covering:
Moore DAJ et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Oct 12; 355:1539-50
Iseman MD and Heifets L., N Engl J Med 2006 Oct 12; 355:1606-8
Mycobacterial Target of INH Identified
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Isoniazid was found to kill mycobacteria by inhibiting InhA, an enzyme necessary for mycolic-acid biosynthesis.
By Bradley E. Britigan, MD
October 11, 2006
Covering:
Vilchèze C et al., Nat Med 2006 Sep; 12:1027-9
Human Bocavirus: More Evidence for Pathogenic Potential
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In two studies, researchers found human bocavirus more often in patients with respiratory symptoms than in asymptomatic controls.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
October 11, 2006
Covering:
Kesebir D et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Nov 1; 194:1276-82
Manning A et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Nov 1; 194:1283-90
McIntosh K., J Infect Dis 2006 Nov 1; 194:1197-9
Influenza Vaccination of Children: Benefits, Risks, Costs
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Influenza vaccination was most cost-effective for children aged 6–23 months and for those with underlying medical conditions.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
October 11, 2006
Covering:
Prosser LA et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2006 Oct; 12:1548-58
Influenza Vaccination for School-Age Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Two doses of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine are needed for vaccine-naive 5- to 8-year-olds.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
October 4, 2006
Covering:
Neuzil KM et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Oct 15; 194:1032-9
Airline Travel Speeds Flu Spread
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
International air-travel volume was correlated with the introduction of new viral strains into the U.S.; domestic air-travel volume was correlated with their interregional spread.
By Thomas Glück, MD
September 27, 2006
Covering:
Brownstein JS et al., PLoS Med 2006 Oct; 3:e401
Treatment of MDRTB Can Work in Resource-Poor Countries
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
With appropriate support, approximately 70% of MDRTB patients in five resource-poor areas were cured or completed therapy.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
September 27, 2006
Covering:
Nathanson E et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2006 Sep; 12:1389-97
Are Antibiotics Effective in Acute Purulent Rhinitis?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The potential for adverse effects is greater than the modest benefit.
By Keith I. Marton, MD
September 26, 2006
Covering:
Arroll B and Kenealy T., BMJ 2006 Aug 5; 333:279-81
Nitric Oxide in Preterm Infants?
Nitric oxide is not ready for widespread use.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
September 13, 2006
Covering:
Ballard RA et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 27; 355:343-53
Kinsella JP et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 27; 355:354-64
Stark AR., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 27; 355:404-6
Limited H5N1 Transmission Despite Extensive Poultry Contact
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A seroepidemiologic survey in Cambodia in an area with H5N1 poultry outbreaks showed no H5N1 antibodies in healthy residents.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
September 6, 2006
Covering:
Vong S et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2006 Oct; 12:1542-7
The Toxic Erythema of Acute Coccidioidomycosis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Perhaps we should keep the windows closed when driving in the Southwest.
By Jan V. Hirschmann, MD
July 14, 2006
Covering:
DiCaudo DJ et al., Arch Dermatol 2006 Jun; 142:744-6
Antibiotics for Purulent Rhinitis
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Does the benefit outweigh the risks?
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
September 1, 2006
Covering:
Arroll B and Kenealy T., BMJ 2006 Aug 5; 333:279-81
Examining the 4-Hour Rule for Pneumonia Treatment
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The mandate for early antibiotic administration raises concerns.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
August 29, 2006
Covering:
Waterer GW et al., Chest 2006 Jul; 130:11-5
Metersky ML et al., Chest 2006 Jul; 130:16-21
Houck PM., Chest 2006 Jul; 130:1-3
Heliox or Airox for Infants Hospitalized with Bronchiolitis?
Infants with moderate-to-severe RSV bronchiolitis who received heliox had significantly improved respiratory distress scores.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
August 23, 2006
Covering:
Cambonie G et al., Chest 2006 Mar; 129:676-82
Challenges for Infants and Families After Hospitalization for Bronchiolitis
Families report ongoing symptoms, dysfunction, and disruption of routines after discharge.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
August 23, 2006
Covering:
Robbins JM et al., Ambul Pediatr 2006 Jan/Feb; 6:8-14
Treatment of Pneumonia: Is Timing of Antibiotics a Quality Indicator?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
For patients with atypical symptoms, pressure to start therapy for pneumonia within 4 hours after admission could promote inappropriate use of antibiotics.
By Thomas Glück, MD
August 23, 2006
Covering:
Waterer GW et al., Chest 2006 Jul; 130:11-5
Metersky ML et al., Chest 2006 Jul; 130:16-21
Houck PM., Chest 2006 Jul; 130:1-3
Viral Respiratory Infections in the First Year of Life
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
PCR analysis of nasopharyngeal aspirates from children with acute viral infections showed that rhinoviruses were most commonly responsible for these illnesses.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
August 23, 2006
Covering:
Kusel MMH et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2006 Aug; 25:680-6
The "New" Respiratory Viruses and LRTIs in Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Each of the newly discovered viruses caused LRTIs with a specific epidemiology and presentation.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
August 23, 2006
Covering:
Choi EH et al., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Sep 1; 43:585-92
Short-Course PZA/RIF for Latent TB, Revisited
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Completion rates were higher with 2 months of pyrazinamide/rifampin than with 9 months of isoniazid, but despite intensive monitoring, so was hepatotoxicity risk.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
August 16, 2006
Covering:
Cook PP et al., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Aug 1; 43:271-5
Children Who Keep On Coughing
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Look for <$EMPH_O>Bordetella pertussis<$EMPH_C> infection.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
August 11, 2006
Covering:
Harnden A et al., BMJ 2006 Jul 22; 333:174-7
Butler C et al., BMJ 2006 Jul 22; 333:159-60
Blood Cultures Usually Not Helpful in Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Another small study suggests that it’s wrong to equate obtaining blood cultures with quality.
By Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH
August 11, 2006
Covering:
Ramanujam P and Rathlev NK., Acad Emerg Med 2006 Jul; 13:740-5
