Is PCP Prophylaxis Slipping by the Wayside?
Analysis of a large database suggests that clinicians are omitting this staple of HIV care.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
March 12, 2007
Covering:
Teshale EH et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Mar 15; 44:879-83
Can We Safely and Effectively Immunize Patients Receiving Anti-TNF Therapies?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Results in rheumatoid arthritis patients demonstrate some benefit from flu and pneumococcal vaccination in patients receiving biologic therapy.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
March 9, 2007
Covering:
Kaine JL et al., J Rheumatol 2007 Feb; 34:272-9
Rhinoviruses: Beyond the Common Cold
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Rhinoviruses play an under-recognized role in severe respiratory infections in young children.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
February 28, 2007
Covering:
Miller EK et al., J Infect Dis 2007 Mar 15; 195:773-81
Bacteremic Pneumonia — Better Outcomes with Macrolides Than with Fluoroquinolones
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In this retrospective study, macrolide/beta-lactam combinations were superior to tetracycline/fluoroquinolone combinations for treating bacteremic community-acquired pneumonia.
By Thomas Glück, MD
February 28, 2007
Covering:
Metersky ML et al., Chest 2007 Feb; 131:466-73
Important Clue About Human-to-Human Transmission of the 1918 Avian Flu Virus
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In animal models, creating specific mutations made the virus difficult or impossible to transmit; whether the same is true of the current avian flu virus remains to be determined.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
February 27, 2007
Covering:
Tumpey TM et al., Science 2007 Feb 2; 315:655-9
Rapid Antibiotic-Susceptibility Determination in Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Using results from an E-test with six antibiotic-impregnated strips applied directly to lower respiratory tract samples was associated with improved outcomes.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 21, 2007
Covering:
Bouza E et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Feb 1; 44:382-7
Flu Shots or Intranasal Flu Vaccine for Children?
The cold-adapted live attenuated intranasal vaccine is more effective than the intramuscular flu vaccine.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
February 14, 2007
Covering:
Belshe RB et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 15; 356:685-96
Cox NJ and Bridges CB., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 15; 356:729-31
CDC Reports Fatalities from Cold Medications
Inappropriate use of common cold medications can be fatal in infants.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
February 14, 2007
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2007 Jan 12; 56:1-4
Attenuated vs. Inactivated Flu Vaccine in Children: Benefits and Adverse Effects
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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An investigational attenuated flu vaccine has superior efficacy to standard inactivated vaccine, but it comes with a significant risk for medically important wheezing.
By Neil R. Blacklow, MD
February 14, 2007
Covering:
Belshe RB et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 15; 356:685-96
Cox NJ and Bridges CB., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 15; 356:729-31
Preventing TB in HIV-Infected Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Isoniazid prophylaxis in very young HIV-infected children markedly decreased TB incidence and mortality.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
February 14, 2007
Covering:
Zar HJ et al., BMJ 2007 Jan 20; 334:136-9
Rapid Influenza Diagnosis in Hospitalized Adults
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Rapid diagnosis was associated with reduced antibiotic use.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
February 7, 2007
Covering:
Falsey AR et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Jan 22; 167
Aberrant Immune Response Key to 1918 Flu Virulence?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Infection of macaques with the 1918 virus led to dysregulation of the animals’ immune systems, resulting in enhanced lung injury and a blunted antiviral response.
By Bradley E. Britigan, MD
January 31, 2007
Covering:
Kobasa D et al., Nature 2007 Jan 18; 445:319-23
Flu Vaccine and Mortality in Community-Acquired Pneumonia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An observational study adds to the evidence supporting vaccination.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
January 25, 2007
Covering:
Spaude KA et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Jan 8; 167:53-9
Another Reason to Get Moving
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Exercise training reduced the incidence of colds among postmenopausal women.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
January 25, 2007
Covering:
Chubak J et al., Am J Med 2006 Nov; 119:937-42
Do the Benefits of a Flu Shot During Pregnancy Go Beyond Mom?
Infants are not protected by maternal influenza vaccination during pregnancy.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
January 24, 2007
Covering:
France EK et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006 Dec; 160:1277-83
Procalcitonin-Guided Antibiotic Therapy for COPD
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
For exacerbations of COPD, using procalcitonin levels to guide antibiotic therapy can reduce antibiotic exposure without compromising clinical success.
By Thomas Glück, MD
January 24, 2007
Covering:
Stolz D et al., Chest 2007 Jan; 131:9-19
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in HIV-Negative Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
HIV-negative people can develop nontuberculous mycobacterial infections; most who do have risk factors and typical symptoms.
By Thomas Glück, MD
January 24, 2007
Covering:
Dailloux M et al., Eur Respir J 2006 Dec; 28:1211-5
Clues to Lethality of the 1918 Pandemic Virus
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In monkeys, the deadly virus provoked an excessively vigorous immune response.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
January 23, 2007
Covering:
Kobasa D et al., Nature 2007 Jan 18; 445:319-23
CAP: Guiding Site-of-Treatment Decisions with the PSI
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Routine use of the Pneumonia Severity Index in emergency departments reduced both hospitalization rates and overall mortality rates in low-risk patients.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
January 17, 2007
Covering:
Renaud B et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Jan 1; 44:41-9
Quantiferon Test: Don’t Use It Alone to Detect Active TB
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The Quantiferon-TB Gold assay had a sensitivity of only 60% in patients with active TB.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
January 17, 2007
Covering:
Dewan PK et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Jan 1; 44:69-73
Pai M and Menzies D., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Jan 1; 44:74-7
Active TB Surveillance in Asylum-Seekers
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In Switzerland, respiratory samples identified active pulmonary TB in one third of asylum-seekers with abnormal chest radiographs.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
January 17, 2007
Covering:
Schoch OD et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007 Jan 1; 175:80-6
Influenza Vaccine for Nursing Home Staff Benefits Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The benefit was seen during a season of moderate flu activity.
By Keith I. Marton, MD
January 11, 2007
Covering:
Hayward AC et al., BMJ 2006 Dec 16; 333:1241
When to Switch from IV to Oral Antibiotics in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An early changeover led to a shortened hospital stay.
By Keith I. Marton, MD
January 11, 2007
Covering:
Oosterheert JJ et al., BMJ 2006 Dec 9; 333:1193
New Bronchiolitis Guidelines
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
Evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and management of bronchiolitis
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
January 10, 2007
Covering:
American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Diagnosis and Management of Bronchiolitis., Pediatrics 2006 Oct; 118:1774-93
Early Switch to Oral Antibiotics in CAP
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Outcomes in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia were not adversely affected by an early switch from IV to oral antibiotics.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
January 10, 2007
Covering:
Oosterheert JJ et al., BMJ 2006 Dec 9; 333:1193-5
Mills GD and Laing R., BMJ 2006 Dec 9; 333:1181-2
