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
Novel Coronavirus in the Middle East: More Details
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
This case provides another example of an animal coronavirus causing severe disease in humans.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
October 31, 2012
Covering:
Zaki AM et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Oct 17
Anderson LJ and Baric RS., N Engl J Med 2012 Oct 17
Patient vs. Environmental Factors in Mycobacterium avium Complex Lung Disease
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A susceptible host matters more than an unusual environmental dose, according to a case-control study.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
October 24, 2012
Covering:
Dirac MA et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012 Oct 1; 186:684
Marras TK., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012 Oct 1; 186:585
Long-Term Outcome for Children with Pleural Empyema Is Good
After 1 month, more than 25% have abnormal clinical findings; by 12 months, most abnormal findings resolve and quality of life is normal.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
October 17, 2012
Covering:
Cohen E et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2012 Sep 3
Florin TA and Shah SS., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2012 Sep 3
Linezolid for XDR-TB?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a small phase IIa study, most patients experienced culture conversion when linezolid was added to their existing regimens, but drug-related adverse events were common.
Flu Vaccine Benefit Is "Modest"
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The antigenically well-matched influenza vaccine from the 2010–2011 season was about 60% protective.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
October 11, 2012
Covering:
Treanor JJ et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Oct 1; 55:951
Novel Coronavirus Surfaces in the Middle East
Infectious Diseases News in Context
Free
A newly identified coronavirus has been implicated in two cases of severe respiratory illness, one of them fatal.
Thalidomide Quiets Cough in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A 12-week course yielded significant improvement from baseline.
Treating Active TB in HIV-Infected Patients
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Antiretroviral therapy improves TB treatment outcomes among HIV-infected individuals with active pulmonary TB. Individuals not receiving ART benefit from daily rifamycin dosing during the intensive phase of TB treatment and
By Ameeta Kalokhe, MD, MScR, and Carlos del Rio, MD
October 5, 2012
Covering:
Khan FA et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Oct 15; 55:1154
Vitamin D Does Not Prevent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
No benefit of supplementation was noted, either in incidence or severity of URTIs.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
October 4, 2012
Covering:
Murdoch DR et al., JAMA 2012 Oct 3; 308:1333
Linder JA., JAMA 2012 Oct 3; 308:1375
Use of Live-Attenuated Influenza Vaccine for Healthcare Providers
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A recent guidance statement from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America supports the use of live-attenuated influenza vaccine for most healthcare workers.
Gabapentin for Refractory Chronic Cough?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients with hypersensitive central cough reflex responded well to 10 weeks of therapy.
Safety of Influenza Vaccination During Early Pregnancy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Risk for fetal malformations was unaffected by maternal first-trimester vaccination.
Cannot Rely on Complete Blood Cell Count to Rule Out Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis
In the largest study to date, researchers found that a "normal" CBC is not sensitive enough to rule out early onset neonatal sepsis.
By Louis M. Bell, MD
September 19, 2012
Covering:
Hornik CP et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2012 Aug; 31:799
