Early Estimate of Pandemic Potential of Influenza A H1N1 "Swine Flu"
General Medicine Summary and Comment
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The current virus is transmitted efficiently but probably is less lethal than past pandemic viruses.
Vitamin D and TB Outcome
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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In a randomized, double-blind study conducted in Guinea-Bissau, 300,000 IU of cholecalciferol had no effect on clinical outcome.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 20, 2009
Covering:
Wejse C et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 May 1; 179:843
Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Infections Reported in Pregnant Women
Women's Health Summary and Comment
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The CDC recommends that pregnant women with confirmed, probable, or suspected novel influenza A (H1N1) infection receive antiviral therapy with oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
May 18, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 May 15; 58:497
New Treatment for Bronchiolitis in Infants
Nebulized 3% saline in conjunction with bronchodilators shortened hospital stay and lowered clinical severity.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
May 13, 2009
Covering:
Zhang L et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008 Oct 8
Combined Epinephrine and Dexamethasone Therapy for Bronchiolitis?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
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This study did not show clear benefit for combination therapy with nebulized epinephrine and oral dexamethasone.
A Comparative Evaluation of IGRAs for Detecting Latent TB Infection
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay and the T-SPOT.<$EMPH_O>TB<$EMPH_C> test performed similarly well in TST-positive contacts of TB patients.
By Thomas Glück, MD
May 13, 2009
Covering:
Diel R et al., Chest 2009 Apr; 135:1010
Inhaled Steroids Do Not Prevent Recurrent RSV-Induced Bronchiolitis
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
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In infants admitted with RSV infection, early use of inhaled beclomethasone did not reduce the number of days or proportion of patients with wheeze at 1 year.
The CDC’s Report on the New Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
The formal surveillance report of the widely reported cases of S-OIV infection
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
May 8, 2009
Covering:
Dawood FS et al., N Engl J Med 2009 May 7
Belshe RB., N Engl J Med 2009 May 7
Miller MA et al.,
Brownstein JS et al., N Engl J Med 2009 May 21; 360:2153
Triple-Reassortant Swine Influenza A Viruses in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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From December 2005 through February 2009, viruses containing gene segments from swine, human, and avian influenza viruses infected at least 11 humans in the U.S.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
May 7, 2009
Covering:
Shinde V et al., N Engl J Med 2009 May 7
Baden LR et al., N Engl J Med 2009 May 7
Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) and HIV
The CDC offers guidance for HIV-infected patients potentially exposed to swine flu.
By Carlos del Rio, MD , and Juan Sierra-Madero, MD
May 4, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).,
CDC Updates on Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1)
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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Dispatches describe the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and in a New York City school.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
May 4, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 Apr 30; 58d:1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 Apr 30; 58d:1
Swine Influenza Update
Infectious Diseases News in Context
Free
New information on antiviral susceptibilities and on the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorizations for two antiviral medications, a diagnostic test, and N95 respirators
By Lynn L. Estes, PharmD
April 29, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 Apr 28; 58d:1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 Apr 28; 58d:1
Global Epidemiology of Drug-Resistant TB
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among regions with data available, parts of China and the former Soviet Union had the highest drug-resistance burden.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
April 29, 2009
Covering:
Wright A et al., Lancet 2009 Apr 16
Borgdorff MW and Small PM., Lancet 2009 Apr 16
Severe Respiratory Infection Caused by Human Ad14
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In two geographically separate outbreaks of respiratory infections, illness caused by human adenovirus serotype 14 ranged from mild to severe.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
April 29, 2009
Covering:
Lewis PF et al., J Infect Dis 2009 May 15; 199:1427
Tate JE et al., J Infect Dis 2009 May 15; 199:1419
Gray GC and Chorazy ML., J Infect Dis 2009 May 15; 199:1413
New Human Illness from Swine Flu Virus
General Medicine News in Context
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Certain features suggest the risk for a pandemic.
Human Infection with Swine Influenza Virus
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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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
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.
