Moxifloxacin Instead of Ethambutol for TB?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Two-month sputum conversions were equivalent when moxifloxacin was substituted for ethambutol in the treatment of pulmonary TB.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
August 9, 2006
Covering:
Burman WJ et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2006 Aug 1; 174:331-8
Does Repeated Antenatal Steroid Use Safely Reduce Respiratory Distress Syndrome?
Multiple doses of steroids may further reduce the incidence of RDS, but long-term effects are uncertain.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
August 2, 2006
Covering:
Crowther CA et al., Lancet 2006 Jun 10; 367:1913-9
Montan S and Arulkumaran S., Lancet 2006 Jun 10; 367:1878-9
Influenza: The Burden of Disease in Children
It’s often unrecognized.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
July 26, 2006
Covering:
Poehling KA et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 6; 355:31-40
Glezen WP., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 6; 355:79-81
TB Antibiotic Resistance and Growth Fitness
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Mutations that confer antibiotic resistance in <$EMPH_O>Mycobacterium tuberculosis<$EMPH_C> without decreasing bacterial growth fitness may be selected for during human infection.
By Bradley E. Britigan, MD
July 26, 2006
Covering:
Gagneux S et al., Science 2006 Jun 30; 312:1944-6
Nursing Home Clinical Pathway for Respiratory Infections Reduces Hospitalization
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Coincident cost savings are substantial.
By John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM, FACEP
July 21, 2006
Covering:
Loeb M et al., JAMA 2006 Jun 7; 295:2503-10
Antibiotic Switch in CAP: Is Same-Day Discharge Safe?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Outcomes were similar between patients discharged on the day they switched from IV to oral antibiotics and patients observed in-hospital for 24 hours after switching.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
July 19, 2006
Covering:
Nathan RV et al., Am J Med 2006 Jun; 119:512.e1-7
What Is the True Burden of Influenza in Children?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
The burden is substantial, yet most cases go undiagnosed, both in the doctor’s office and in the hospital.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
July 19, 2006
Covering:
Poehling KA et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 6; 355:31-40
Glezen WP., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 6; 355:79-81
Alcoholism, Pneumococci, and Pneumonia — A Bad Mix
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a large Barcelona study, severe pneumococcal CAP was associated with alcoholism, both present and past.
By Thomas Glück, MD
July 12, 2006
Covering:
de Roux A et al., Chest 2006 May; 129:1219-25
CAP: Guiding Therapy with Procalcitonin Levels?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Compared with usual practice, initiation and discontinuation of antibiotics according to patients' procalcitonin levels yielded similar outcomes yet significantly reduced antibiotic exposure.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
July 12, 2006
Covering:
Christ-Crain M et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2006 Jul 1; 174:84-93
Can We Do Better Managing LRTIs in the Nursing Home?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Using a standard clinical pathway for treatment of pneumonia and other LRTIs in nursing home residents significantly decreased costs and hospitalizations.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
June 22, 2006
Covering:
Loeb M et al., JAMA 2006 Jun 7; 295:2503-10
Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Don’t Forget Coccidioidomycosis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Coccidioidomycosis is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in a <$EMPH_O>Coccidioides-<$EMPH_C>endemic area.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
June 22, 2006
Covering:
Valdivia L et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2006 Jun; 12:958-62
Combination Antibiotic Therapy for Pneumococcal Pneumonia?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a large observational study involving patients with pneumococcal CAP, empirical treatment with such regimens conferred no overall benefit.
By Thomas Glück, MD
June 22, 2006
Covering:
Aspa J et al., Eur Respir J 2006 May; 27:1010-9
Voriconazole for Aspergillosis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Most patients with subacute invasive or chronic pulmonary aspergillosis showed some response to voriconazole.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
June 22, 2006
Covering:
Sambatakou H et al., Am J Med 2006 Jun; 119:e17-24
Severe COPD Exacerbations Associated with Viruses and Bacteria
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
COPD exacerbations were more severe when viruses, bacteria, or both were isolated from sputum samples.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
June 9, 2006
Covering:
Papi A et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2006 May 15; 173:1114-21
VAP — A "Real Life" View
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Culture of respiratory specimens, rapid initiation of adequate therapy, and de-escalation of antibiotic therapy were associated with better outcomes among patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia.
By Thomas Glück, MD
June 9, 2006
Covering:
Kollef MH et al., Chest 2006 May; 129:1210-8
For Some Pneumonia Patients, 3 Days of Antibiotics Will Suffice
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A 3-day course appears to be as safe and effective as an 8-day course.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
June 30, 2006
Covering:
el Moussaoui R et al., BMJ 2006 Jun 10; 332:1355-8
Paul J., BMJ 2006 Jun 10; 332:1358
Hospitalization of Pregnant Women During Flu Season
General Medicine Summary and Comment
More evidence in support of influenza vaccination for pregnant women
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
June 27, 2006
Covering:
Cox S et al., Obstet Gynecol 2006 Jun; 107:1315-22
On-Site Treatment of Pneumonia in Nursing Home Residents
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Hospitalization might not be necessary for some pneumonia patients.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
June 23, 2006
Covering:
Loeb M et al., JAMA 2006 Jun 7; 295:2503-10
Avian Flu Vaccine Is Safe and Immunogenic — But Would It Be Protective?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Requirements for an effective pandemic influenza vaccine do not necessarily include preventing infection — limiting severe disease and mortality are the most important aspects.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
June 13, 2006
Covering:
Bresson JL et al., Lancet 2006 May 20; 367:1657-64
Concurrent Treatment of HIV and TB
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
New case-control results add to a growing body of evidence that supports aggressively treating both HIV and TB.
By G. Sonia Nagy, MD
May 31, 2006
Covering:
Breen RAM et al., J Infect Dis 2006 May 15; 193:1437-40
Influenza Pandemic Modeling and Prevention Strategies
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Researchers are using sophisticated computer modeling to predict spread of and optimal public health measures for controlling an avian influenza outbreak in the U.S.
By Bradley E. Britigan, MD
May 19, 2006
Covering:
Viboud C et al., Science 2006 Apr 21; 312:447-51
Germann TC et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006 Apr 11; 103:5935-40
Ferguson NM et al., Nature 2006 Apr 26.
Diagnosing TB: Two Tests to Detect Immune Response
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Two blood tests that detect immune response to TB yielded different results.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
May 19, 2006
Covering:
Ferrara G et al., Lancet 2006 Apr 22; 367:1328-34
Humidity of No Value for Croup
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Even when delivered in small droplets that can deposit in the larynx.
By John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM, FACEP
May 9, 2006
Covering:
Scolnik D et al., JAMA 2006 Mar 15; 295:1274-80
Mumps! It’s Baaaack!
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Parotitis is the tip-off!
By Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP
May 9, 2006
Covering:
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2006 Apr 7; 55:366-8MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2006 Apr 14; 55:401-2
Cephalosporins for Patients with Penicillin Allergies?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Retrospective data cast doubt on a specific cross-reaction between penicillins and cephalosporins.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
May 9, 2006
Covering:
Apter AJ et al., Am J Med 2006 Apr; 119:e11-9
