Presentation and Diagnosis of Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Immunodeficiency can present in patients of any age.
False-Positive TST Results in U.S. Soldiers
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
From 1983 through 2005, eight pseudoepidemics of tuberculin skin-test conversions occurred in U.S. Army populations.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
June 18, 2008
Covering:
Mancuso JD et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Jun 1; 177:1285
Whole-Virus H5N1 Vaccine Trial
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A phase I and II trial showed that a whole-virus H5N1 vaccine derived from cell culture rather than from embryonated eggs is safe and immunogenic.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
June 11, 2008
Covering:
Ehrlich HJ et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 12; 358:2573
Wright PF., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 12; 358:2540
Perhaps It’ll Be an H7 Pandemic
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Researchers studying recent H7 avian influenza strains identified an H7N2 isolate that appears to have the potential for human transmission.
Nutritional Supplementation and TB Treatment
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a placebo-controlled trial conducted in Tanzania among patients being treated for pulmonary TB, micronutrient supplements decreased the risk for recurrence by 45%.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
June 11, 2008
Covering:
Villamor E et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Jun 1; 197:1499
Benn CS et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Jun 1; 197:1487
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Among individuals exposed to TB, 14.6% of those with a positive IFN-
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 28, 2008
Covering:
Diel R et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 May 15; 177:1164
Elucidating the Role of Human Metapneumovirus in Young Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In two successive winter–spring seasons, hMPV was responsible for 25.3% and then 4.7% of acute respiratory infections in young children.
Rifampin and Lopinavir/r: A Combination to Avoid
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
A study of rifampin with lopinavir/r among healthy volunteers was stopped early because of nausea, vomiting, and increases in liver-enzyme levels.
M. bovis TB Increasing Among Hispanics in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
From 1994 through 2005, <$EMPH_O>Mycobacterium bovis<$EMPH_C> accounted for 45% of pediatric TB cases and 8% of all TB cases in San Diego County, California.
Inhaled Liposomal Amphotericin B for Prevention of IPA
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among patients with prolonged neutropenia, liposomal amphotericin B performed significantly better than placebo in preventing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 14, 2008
Covering:
Rijnders BJ et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 May 1; 46:1401
Does Supplemental Oxygen Keep Infants with Bronchiolitis in the Hospital?
Oxygen supplementation determines length of stay in hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis when the oxygen threshold is <94% SpO2 .
Rapid Screening for MDR-TB
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A molecular probe was
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 23, 2008
Covering:
Barnard M et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Apr 1; 177:787
Legionella as a Cause of CAP
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
<$EMPH_O>Legionella<$EMPH_C> species were the causative organisms in 3.8% of patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Germany.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 16, 2008
Covering:
von Baum H et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 May 1; 46:1356
Factors Affecting CAP Outcome
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a large retrospective study, using guideline-compliant treatment and establishing an etiologic diagnosis were associated with shorter LOS and lower risk for late in-hospital mortality.
By Thomas Glück, MD
April 16, 2008
Covering:
Garau J et al., Clin Microbiol Infect 2008 Mar 5; 14:322
TB by Transplant
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
TB was transmitted from a donor with unrecognized infection to two organ recipients.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
April 16, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Apr 4; 57:333
Antibiotics in Acute Rhinosinusitis: Often Prescribed, but Rarely Indicated
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
No clinical signs or symptoms identified a subgroup of patients who derived benefit from antibiotics.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
April 15, 2008
Covering:
Young J et al., Lancet 2008 Mar 15; 371:908
Effects of Statins and ACE Inhibitors in CAP and Influenza
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
An analysis of VA data indicates that, at least in men, statin or ACE inhibitor use is associated with decreased mortality from community-acquired pneumonia or influenza.
By Thomas Glück, MD
April 2, 2008
Covering:
Mortensen EM et al., Eur Respir J 2008 Mar; 31:611
Fluoroquinolones: Treating TB Reduces Pneumococcal Susceptibility
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The use of fluoroquinolones to treat MDR-TB was associated with the emergence of pediatric invasive pneumococcal disease caused by levofloxacin-nonsusceptible organisms.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
April 2, 2008
Covering:
von Gottberg A et al., Lancet 2008 Mar 29; 371:1108
Respiratory Viral Infections in HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
PCR testing of BAL specimens revealed respiratory viruses in nearly 20% of HIV-infected patients with suspected respiratory opportunistic infections.
Opportunistic Infections: TB, HIV, and XDR TB
Data presented at the 15th Retrovirus Conference highlighted the importance of strengthening airborne infection-control practice and relying less on hospital TB care, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Performance Measures and Pneumonia Diagnoses: Not So Fast!
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Reducing the target time to first antibiotic dose to <4 hours also reduced the accuracy of community-acquired pneumonia diagnoses.
Adverse Events from Cough and Cold Medications in Children
General Medicine Summary and Comment
About 7000 children in the U.S. visit EDs annually because of adverse drug events from cough and cold medications.
Sweet Relief for Cough?
Buckwheat honey might be better than nothing for nocturnal cough.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
February 20, 2008
Covering:
Paul IM et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007 Dec; 161:1140
Warren MD et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007 Dec; 161:1149
Adenovirus 14 Associated with Severe Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In New Mexico, three cases of severe acute respiratory tract infection — one resulting in death — were associated with adenovirus 14.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 20, 2008
Covering:
Louie JK et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Feb 1; 46:421
Elimination of TB in the U.S. Not Currently Achievable
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
According to NHANES 1999–2000 data, the prevalence of latent TB infection was 4.2% in the U.S. overall but significantly higher among some subgroups.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 20, 2008
Covering:
Bennett DE et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Feb 1; 177:348
