Pregnant Women Are at Elevated Risk for Complications from H1N1 Flu
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Pregnant women were more than four times as likely to be hospitalized as people in the nonpregnant general population.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
August 13, 2009
Covering:
Jamieson DJ et al., Lancet 2009 Aug 8; 374:451
Delayed Viral Clearance Among Hospitalized Adults with Influenza
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Viral replication and shedding may be more prolonged than expected and could warrant more-aggressive therapeutic and infection-control approaches.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
August 12, 2009
Covering:
Lee N et al., J Infect Dis 2009 Aug 15; 200:492
Ison MG., J Infect Dis 2009 Aug 15; 200:485
More Evidence for the Role of Bocavirus in Asthma
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among children with asthma exacerbations, the virus most commonly detected was human bocavirus.
Improving the Efficacy of Flu Vaccine
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A stronger vaccine elicits more antibodies but has more side effects.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
August 11, 2009
Covering:
Falsey AR et al., J Infect Dis 2009 Jul 15; 200:172
Pregnancy and the Flu
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Pandemic H1N1 and seasonal influenza take their toll on pregnant women; vaccination is a top priority.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
August 6, 2009
Covering:
Jamieson DJ et al., Lancet 2009 Aug 8; 374:451
MacDonald NE et al., Obstet Gynecol 2009 Aug; 114:365
Phillippe M., Obstet Gynecol 2009 Aug; 114:206
Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2009 Jul 29
Oseltamivir Prevents Complications of Influenza in High-Risk Children
Oseltamivir prescribed within 1 day of clinical diagnosis of influenza reduced risks for complications and hospitalization in children with chronic conditions.
H1N1 Influenza in Pregnant Women
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
H1N1-infected pregnant women appear to be at increased risk for severe disease and death.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
August 5, 2009
Covering:
Jamieson DJ et al., Lancet 2009 Aug 8; 374:451
AIDS-Associated PCP in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Hospital discharge data indicate that hospitalizations for and mortality from AIDS-associated <$EMPH_O>Pneumocystis jirovecii<$EMPH_C> pneumonia have decreased significantly since 1986.
By Thomas Glück, MD
August 5, 2009
Covering:
Kelley CF et al., Chest 2009 Jul; 136:190
Treatment of Children with Sinusitis
Sinusitis in children with respiratory symptoms is uncommon, but, for those who have sinusitis, antibiotics improve clinical outcomes.
Antibiotic Prescribing and Respiratory Infection Outcomes
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among 3500 patients in 13 European countries, recovery from acute respiratory infections was not affected by whether — or which — antibiotics were given.
Atypical Invasive Aspergillosis Caused by Neosartorya udagawae
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among 36 cases attributed to <$EMPH_O>A. fumigatus,<$EMPH_C> 4 were caused by <$EMPH_O>N. udagawae<$EMPH_C>; disease was prolonged, and the infecting organisms demonstrated widespread antifungal resistance.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
July 22, 2009
Covering:
Vinh DC et al., Clin Infect Dis 2009 Jul 1; 49:102
Microevolution of P. aeruginosa During CF Lung Infection
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
<$EMPH_O>Pseudomonas aeruginosa<$EMPH_C> isolates obtained over time from cystic fibrosis patients show genotypic and phenotypic changes but retain the ability to induce chronic lung infection.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
July 22, 2009
Covering:
Bragonzi A et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Jul 15; 180:138
IGRA Variability and the Effect of TST
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Seven days after TST placement, IGRA responses were boosted beyond the defined baseline variability; such boosting persisted for up to 3 months.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
July 22, 2009
Covering:
van Zyl-Smit RN et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Jul 1; 180:49
Spore Formation by Mycobacteria
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Sporulation could explain the ability of these pathogens to lie dormant for years before causing active disease.
Pathogenicity of the Swine-Origin 2009 A (H1N1) Influenza Virus
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In animal models, this virus caused more morbidity than seasonal H1N1 viruses but was not as readily transmissible.
Current Statin Use and Risk for Pneumonia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Statin use did not lower risk among immunocompetent community-dwelling older adults.
Pulmonary TB — Or Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a series of 445 mycobacteria-positive pulmonary patients, 32% had TB, and 6% had nontuberculous mycobacterial infections with symptoms suggestive of TB.
By Thomas Glück, MD
July 8, 2009
Covering:
Grubek-Jaworska H et al., Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2009 Jul; 28:739
Risk Factors for Extensively Drug-Resistant Pulmonary TB
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Previous TB treatment, HIV infection, homelessness, and alcohol abuse were risk factors.
Severe Respiratory Disease in Mexico: Past vs. Present
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
During the spring 2009 outbreak of H1N1 influenza in Mexico, most deaths and cases of severe pneumonia occurred in younger individuals.
Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) in Mexico: A Clinical Characterization
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A case series of 18 hospitalized patients with this viral infection demonstrated morbidity and mortality in previously healthy young to middle-aged individuals.
Rifampin-Resistant TB During Boosted PI Therapy in HIV Patients
In New York City, three HIV patients with tuberculosis developed rifampin resistance after being switched to boosted PI therapy and alternate-day rifabutin.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
June 29, 2009
Covering:
Jenny-Avital ER and Joseph K., Clin Infect Dis 2009 May 15; 48:1471
Severe RSV Infection and Asthma
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Results from a twin study suggest that severe RSV infection does not cause asthma, but rather indicates a genetic predisposition to asthma.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
June 24, 2009
Covering:
Thomsen SF et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Jun 15; 179:1091
Dosing of Influenza Vaccine in Older Adults: More Is Better
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Phase III trial data further support the use of high-dose influenza vaccine in older adults.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
June 24, 2009
Covering:
Falsey AR et al., J Infect Dis 2009 Jul 15; 200:172
Poland GA and Mulligan MJ., J Infect Dis 2009 Jul 15; 200:161
Enteral Nutrition in the ICU: Where Should the Feeding Tube Go?
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Critically ill patients who received duodenal versus gastric feeding had better nutritional support and fewer episodes of VAP, but length of stay and short-term mortality were unaffected.
TNF Antibodies, T Cells, and Tuberculosis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
How does anti-TNF immunotherapy affect host mechanisms that control TB? The findings are suggestive.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
June 12, 2009
Covering:
Bruns H et al., J Clin Invest 2009 May; 119:1167
Miller EA and Ernst JD., J Clin Invest 2009 May; 119:1079
