Human Infection with Swine Influenza Virus
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
The CDC reports two cases of swine influenza (H1N1) infection in children, possibly involving human-to-human transmission.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
April 24, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 Apr 21; 58d:1
TB Vaccine Safe in Persons with Latent Disease
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The MVA85A vaccine was safe and induced specific in vitro responses in individuals with latent TB.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 22, 2009
Covering:
Sander CR et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Apr 15; 179:724
Rhinoviruses Cause Severe Respiratory Infections
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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In a study involving children with severe respiratory infections, rhinoviruses were found in 49% of those with an agent identified.
Oseltamivir-Resistant Influenza A Virus
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Transmissibility and pathogenicity of resistant strains appear similar to those of susceptible strains.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
March 26, 2009
Covering:
Dharan NJ et al., JAMA 2009 Mar 11; 301:1034
Gooskens J et al., JAMA 2009 Mar 11; 301:1042
Weinstock DM and Zuccotti G., JAMA 2009 Mar 11; 301:1066
Novel Antibodies Against Annual or Pandemic Influenza Viruses
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Neutralizing antibodies might be able to provide passive immunotherapy.
Steps Toward a Universal Flu Vaccine
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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Two studies identify antibodies that confer resistance to a wide range of flu viruses by preventing fusion to host cells.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
March 18, 2009
Covering:
Ekiert DC et al., Science 2009 Feb 26
Sui J et al., Nat Struct Mol Biol 2009 Mar; 16:265
Oseltamivir Resistance
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Influenza A viruses are more likely than influenza B viruses to become resistant during oseltamivir treatment in children.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
March 18, 2009
Covering:
Stephenson I et al., Clin Infect Dis 2009 Feb 15; 48:389
Monto AS., Clin Infect Dis 2009 Feb 15; 48:397
Diagnosing PCP in HIV-Negative Immunocompromised Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
PCR performed better than an indirect immunofluorescence assay.
By Thomas Glück, MD
March 18, 2009
Covering:
Azoulay É et al., Chest 2009 Mar; 135:655
Influenza: Problems with Prevention and Treatment
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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Oseltamivir-resistant influenza virus strains are both communicable and pathogenic, and the intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine has limitations.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
March 11, 2009
Covering:
Gooskens J et al., JAMA 2009 Mar 11; 301:1042
Dharan NJ et al., JAMA 2009 Mar 11; 301:1034
Wang Z et al., JAMA 2009 Mar 4; 301:945
Weinstock DM and Zuccotti G., JAMA 2009 Mar 11; 301:1066
Concomitant HIV/TB Treatment Improves Survival
Delaying antiretroviral therapy until after TB treatment has been completed is associated with increased mortality risk.
When Should ART Be Initiated in Patients with OIs?
Data presented at the 2009 Retrovirus Conference bring us closer to a definitive answer.
Burden of RSV Infection in Young Children
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The authors estimate that, in young children, RSV infection is associated with 1 of 334 hospitalizations, 1 of 38 ED visits, and 1 of 13 primary care outpatient visits annually in the U.S.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
February 10, 2009
Covering:
Hall CB et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Feb 5; 360:588
RSV Infection in Young Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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In recent years, the burden of respiratory syncytial virus infection in otherwise healthy youngsters has been unexpectedly large.
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine: Efficacy Remains Controversial
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Researchers question recommendations to provide pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination for all older adults and for younger adults with chronic diseases.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 27, 2009
Covering:
Huss A et al., CMAJ 2009 Jan 6; 180:48
Andrews R and Moberley SA., CMAJ 2009 Jan 6; 180:18
Another Study Supports Treating TB and HIV Simultaneously
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Starting ART during the first 2 months of TB treatment was associated with improved survival in a retrospective cohort study in Spain.
By Paulina Rebolledo, MD, MSc, and Carlos del Rio, MD
January 26, 2009
Covering:
Velasco M et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2009 Feb; 50:148
Folic Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy and Respiratory Risk in Offspring
Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy slightly increased risk for wheeze and lower respiratory tract infections in infants and toddlers.
Sleep and the Common Cold
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Adults who slept fewer than 7 hours per night were almost three times more likely than longer sleepers to develop a cold after rhinovirus exposure.
Surveillance Cultures for Critically Ill Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Semiweekly tracheal-aspirate or pharyngeal-swab cultures and weekly rectal-swab surveillance cultures significantly improved the adequacy of empirical antimicrobial treatment for subsequent infections.
By Thomas Glück, MD
January 21, 2009
Covering:
Papadomichelakis E et al., Intensive Care Med 2008 Dec; 34:2169
A Weekly Drug Regimen for TB?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a murine model of TB, weekly diarylquinoline R207910 + rifapentine + pyrazinamide was more active than five-times-weekly isoniazid + rifapentine + pyrazinamide.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
January 21, 2009
Covering:
Veziris N et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Jan 1; 179:75
Nuermberger E and Mitchison DA., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Jan 1; 179:2
Pneumonia Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients, Based on Classification: CAP, HCAP, HAP
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Healthcare-associated pneumonia is associated with higher mortality than is community-acquired pneumonia, especially when guideline-recommended antibiotic regimens are not initiated empirically.
Antibiotics to Prevent COPD Exacerbations?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a small study, erythromycin recipients had fewer and shorter exacerbations than did placebo recipients.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 8, 2009
Covering:
Seemungal TAR et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Dec 1; 178:1139
Kunisaki KM and Niewoehner DE., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Dec 1; 178:1098
Flu Update — Good News and Bad
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Influenza strains circulating in the U.S. this year are covered by the vaccine, but the prevalence of oseltamivir resistance is rising.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
January 7, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Dec 12; 57:1329
Pulmonary Herpes Reactivation in Critically Ill Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
High herpes simplex virus loads in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were associated with increased 14-day in-hospital mortality.
By Thomas Glück, MD
January 7, 2009
Covering:
Linssen CFM et al., Intensive Care Med 2008 Dec; 34:2202
Histoplasmosis in Returning Travelers
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Twenty of 35 missionary workers returning from a construction project in El Salvador were diagnosed with <$EMPH_O>Histoplasma capsulatum<$EMPH_C> infection.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
January 7, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Dec 19; 57:1349
Probing for TB — Hidden in Plain Sight
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Smear-negative TB-positive patients can transmit disease. Illegal immigrants can remain infectious longer because of delayed presentation for care.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
December 24, 2008
Covering:
Tostmann A et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Nov 1; 47:1135
Achkar JM et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Nov 15; 47:1277
