Antibiotics for COPD: Further Evidence of Benefit
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Inpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations had better outcomes when treated with both steroids <$EMPH_O>and<$EMPH_C> antibiotics.
Diagnosing Pneumonia with Ultrasound
Compared with chest radiography, ultrasonography identified pneumonia with 86% sensitivity and 89% specificity.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
January 30, 2013
Covering:
Shah VP et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2012 Dec 10
Darge K and Chen A., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2012 Dec 10
Do We Really Need to Check Gastric Residuals? Probably Not.
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a randomized study, routine gastric monitoring reduced nutritional intake while conferring no important benefit.
By Patricia Kritek, MD
January 29, 2013
Covering:
Reignier J et al., JAMA 2013 Jan 16; 309:249
Rice TW., JAMA 2013 Jan 16; 309:283
Should We Prescribe Steroids for Community-Acquired Pneumonia?
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Although steroids might shorten hospital length of stay, more robust data are needed before changing practice.
Quadruple-Dose Influenza Vaccine for HIV-Infected Patients
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Seroprotection was better overall with a high-dose vaccine than with the standard-dose one, but questions about application to clinical practice remain.
By Brian R. Wood, MD
January 28, 2013
Covering:
McKittrick N et al., Ann Intern Med 2013 Jan 1; 158:19
Antibiotics for Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Amoxicillin was largely ineffective in patients with acute cough and sputum production who had no evidence of pneumonia.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 24, 2013
Covering:
Little P et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2013 Feb; 13:123
Influenza Vaccine Protects Pregnant Women and Their Fetuses
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Norwegian study showed excess fetal deaths in women with influenza.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
January 24, 2013
Covering:
Håberg SE et al., N Engl J Med 2013 Jan 24; 368:333
One Antibiotic or Two for CAP in Children?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Children aged
Outbreak of Pertussis-Like Illness Caused by Cocirculating Bordetella Species
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Species-specific testing of specimens from 298 patients with confirmed pertussis during an Ohio outbreak revealed <$EMPH_O>Bordetella holmesii<$EMPH_C> in 29%, <$EMPH_O>B. pertussis<$EMPH_C> in 68%, and both species in 2%.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
January 16, 2013
Covering:
Rodgers L et al., Clin Infect Dis 2013 Feb 1; 56:322
Pneumocystis Pneumonia After Rituximab Treatment
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a case series, rituximab treatment was a risk factor for <$EMPH_O>Pneumocystis<$EMPH_C> pneumonia in HIV-uninfected patients, most of whom had hematologic cancers.
By Thomas Glück, MD
January 16, 2013
Covering:
Martin-Garrido I et al., Chest 2012 Dec 20
How to Make the Flu Vaccine More Popular, Warts and All
Who would be a trustworthy spokesperson for the far-from-perfect flu vaccine? Take our poll at HIV and ID Observations .
Rapid Diagnosis of TB in Children with Use of Gastric Aspirates?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The Xpert MTB/RIF assay performed similarly on gastric lavage aspirates and sputum specimens.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
January 9, 2013
Covering:
Bates M et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2013 Jan; 13:36
Dodd LE and Wilkinson RJ., Lancet Infect Dis 2013 Jan; 13:3
Bedaquiline: A New Drug for MDR TB
The FDA has approved bedaquiline as part of combination therapy for multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis in adults when other alternatives are not available.
Rotavirus Outbreaks in Retirement Communities
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Rotavirus probably is an underrecognized pathogen in older adults.
Most Sinus Complaints Don't Require Antibiotics
The data and the guidelines agree: Avoid prescribing antibiotics for most patients with the usual complaints of congestion and facial pain.
ACIP Recommends Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine for HIV-Infected Adults
PCV13 should be given at least 8 weeks before the first PPSV23 dose or, in patients with previous PPSV23 vaccination, at least 1 year after PPSV23 administration.
By Kevin L. Ard, MD, MPH, and Paul Sax, MD
December 17, 2012
Flucelvax
Infectious Diseases Vaccine Watch
Free
The FDA has approved a seasonal influenza vaccine manufactured using mammalian cell culture.
Effectiveness of a 10-Valent Pneumococcal Vaccine in Finland
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was very effective, whether given as two or three doses plus booster, in infants aged <7 months.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
December 12, 2012
Covering:
Palmu AA et al., Lancet 2012 Nov 16
Whitney CG., Lancet 2012 Nov 16
Patterns of Pertussis Among Adults
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Women, obese people, and people with asthma are at risk — or possibly just more likely to be recognized as having the infection.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
December 4, 2012
Covering:
Liu BC et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Dec 1; 55:1450
Environmental Risk Factors for PCP?
A recent study suggests a link between higher outdoor temperatures and hospital admissions for PCP.
Statins and the Risk for Death from Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Two retrospective studies suggested that risk was reduced in statin users, but a large, controlled trial is needed to confirm this effect.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
November 21, 2012
Covering:
Chopra V et al., Am J Med 2012 Nov; 125:1111
Mortensen EM et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Dec 1; 55:1466
Is the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Cost-Effective in High-Risk Groups?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
No — at least not when used in conjunction with the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine used in the U.K.'s existing program.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
November 7, 2012
Covering:
Rozenbaum MH et al., BMJ 2012 Oct 26; 345:e6879
Balancing the Risks and Benefits of Early ART Initiation in HIV-Infected Patients with TB
A secondary analysis from the SAPiT trial reinforces current recommendations.
By Mauro Schechter, MD, PhD
November 5, 2012
Covering:
Naidoo K et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Sep 4; 157:313
Proton-Pump Inhibitor Use and Risk for Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
In patients with community-acquired pneumonia, PPI use was associated with a twofold increased risk for infection with oropharyngeal bacteria but not other pathogenic agents.
Subclinical Influenza A in Pigs at Fairs
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Influenza A virus was recovered from seemingly healthy pigs at 19% of agricultural fairs in Ohio over a 3-year period.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
October 31, 2012
Covering:
Bowman AS et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2012 Dec
