Acid Suppression and Risk for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
PPI use raised risk for acquiring pneumonia by about 30%.
Before You Refill the Quinolone, Think of TB
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Mistaking TB for CAP can induce quinolone resistance, although only rarely.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
June 9, 2009
Covering:
Long R et al., Clin Infect Dis 2009 May 15; 48:1354
ART for HIV/TB-Coinfected Patients Taking Rifampicin: Efavirenz or Nevirapine?
A study conducted in Thailand suggests that an efavirenz-based regimen might be preferable to a nevirapine-based one in HIV/TB-coinfected patients taking rifampicin.
By Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PhD , and Tanuja Gengiah, M Clin Pharm, MS(Epi)
June 8, 2009
Covering:
Manosuthi W et al., Clin Infect Dis 2009 Jun 15; 48:1752
Lalloo UG., Clin Infect Dis 2009 Jun 15; 48:1760
How to Lessen Antibiotic Prescription Rate for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Prescribing rates were lower after introduction of C-reactive protein testing and communication skills training.
TB Screening of U.S.-Bound Immigrants and Refugees
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
For those diagnosed overseas with sputum smear–negative or inactive TB, follow-up evaluation after U.S. arrival is critical for detecting cases of active pulmonary TB.
A New Drug for MDR-TB?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A phase II study demonstrated encouraging results for the diarylquinoline TMC207, which inhibits mycobacterial ATP synthase.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
June 3, 2009
Covering:
Diacon AH et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 4; 360:2397
Barry CE III., N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 4; 360:2466
PPIs and Pneumonia, Revisited
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Among non–critically ill inpatients, PPI therapy was associated with a 30% increase in risk for hospital-acquired pneumonia.
Characteristics of the Novel 2009 H1N1 Influenza A Virus
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Genetic analysis reveals marked homogeneity and the absence of expected human-adaptation markers.
Hospitalized H1N1 Patients — A Profile
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Details are provided for 30 patients hospitalized in California with confirmed or probable novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
May 27, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 May 18
Reducing Antibiotic Use for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Communication skills training and use of bedside C-reactive protein testing reduce antibiotic prescribing for lower respiratory tract infections without affecting patient outcomes.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
May 22, 2009
Covering:
Cals JWL et al., BMJ 2009 May 5; 338:b1374
Hay AD and Jüttner KV., BMJ 2009 May 5; 338:b834
Early Estimate of Pandemic Potential of Influenza A H1N1 "Swine Flu"
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The current virus is transmitted efficiently but probably is less lethal than past pandemic viruses.
Vitamin D and TB Outcome
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In a randomized, double-blind study conducted in Guinea-Bissau, 300,000 IU of cholecalciferol had no effect on clinical outcome.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 20, 2009
Covering:
Wejse C et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 May 1; 179:843
Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Infections Reported in Pregnant Women
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
The CDC recommends that pregnant women with confirmed, probable, or suspected novel influenza A (H1N1) infection receive antiviral therapy with oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
May 18, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 May 15; 58:497
New Treatment for Bronchiolitis in Infants
Nebulized 3% saline in conjunction with bronchodilators shortened hospital stay and lowered clinical severity.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
May 13, 2009
Covering:
Zhang L et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008 Oct 8
Combined Epinephrine and Dexamethasone Therapy for Bronchiolitis?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
This study did not show clear benefit for combination therapy with nebulized epinephrine and oral dexamethasone.
A Comparative Evaluation of IGRAs for Detecting Latent TB Infection
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay and the T-SPOT.<$EMPH_O>TB<$EMPH_C> test performed similarly well in TST-positive contacts of TB patients.
By Thomas Glück, MD
May 13, 2009
Covering:
Diel R et al., Chest 2009 Apr; 135:1010
Inhaled Steroids Do Not Prevent Recurrent RSV-Induced Bronchiolitis
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
In infants admitted with RSV infection, early use of inhaled beclomethasone did not reduce the number of days or proportion of patients with wheeze at 1 year.
The CDC’s Report on the New Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
The formal surveillance report of the widely reported cases of S-OIV infection
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
May 8, 2009
Covering:
Dawood FS et al., N Engl J Med 2009 May 7
Belshe RB., N Engl J Med 2009 May 7
Miller MA et al.,
Brownstein JS et al., N Engl J Med 2009 May 21; 360:2153
Triple-Reassortant Swine Influenza A Viruses in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
From December 2005 through February 2009, viruses containing gene segments from swine, human, and avian influenza viruses infected at least 11 humans in the U.S.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
May 7, 2009
Covering:
Shinde V et al., N Engl J Med 2009 May 7
Baden LR et al., N Engl J Med 2009 May 7
Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) and HIV
The CDC offers guidance for HIV-infected patients potentially exposed to swine flu.
CDC Updates on Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1)
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Dispatches describe the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and in a New York City school.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
May 4, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 Apr 30; 58d:1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 Apr 30; 58d:1
Swine Influenza Update
Infectious Diseases News in Context
Free
New information on antiviral susceptibilities and on the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorizations for two antiviral medications, a diagnostic test, and N95 respirators
Global Epidemiology of Drug-Resistant TB
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among regions with data available, parts of China and the former Soviet Union had the highest drug-resistance burden.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
April 29, 2009
Covering:
Wright A et al., Lancet 2009 Apr 16
Borgdorff MW and Small PM., Lancet 2009 Apr 16
Severe Respiratory Infection Caused by Human Ad14
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In two geographically separate outbreaks of respiratory infections, illness caused by human adenovirus serotype 14 ranged from mild to severe.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
April 29, 2009
Covering:
Lewis PF et al., J Infect Dis 2009 May 15; 199:1427
Tate JE et al., J Infect Dis 2009 May 15; 199:1419
Gray GC and Chorazy ML., J Infect Dis 2009 May 15; 199:1413
New Human Illness from Swine Flu Virus
General Medicine News in Context
Free
Certain features suggest the risk for a pandemic.
