Pertussis on the Rise
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Pertussis reached epidemic proportions in Washington State in 2012, apparently because of waning immunity in individuals who received acellular vaccines during childhood.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
August 1, 2012
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2012 Jul 20; 61:517
New Anti-TB Drug Combined with Old Might Work Against All TB
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Combined PA-824–moxifloxacin–pyrazinamide showed good early bactericidal activity against drug-sensitive TB and might work against multidrug-resistant disease.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
August 1, 2012
Covering:
Diacon AH et al., Lancet 2012 Jul 23
Migliori GB and Sotgiu G., Lancet 2012 Jul 23
Eosinophilia in COPD Patients Predicts Response to Corticosteroids
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Not all patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations benefit from oral steroids.
By David J. Amrol, MD
July 26, 2012
Covering:
Bafadhel M et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012 Jul 1; 186:48
Does Dog or Cat Exposure Protect Against Respiratory Tract Infections During the First Year of Life?
In this prospective study, dog contact was more protective than cat contact, but the results leave the question unresolved.
Avian Influenza Transmission, Redux
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Two studies provide further insight into the possibility that the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus might cause a human pandemic.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
July 25, 2012
Covering:
Herfst S et al., Science 2012 Jun 22; 336:1534
Russell CA et al., Science 2012 Jun 22; 336:1541
Cutaneous and Mucosal Mucormycosis: Don't Be Misled
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Some features of mucormycosis closely resemble those of pancreatic panniculitis and gouty panniculitis.
By Angelica Selim, MD
July 13, 2012
Covering:
Requena L et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2012 Jun; 66:975
Reducing the Length of Hospital Stay in Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a randomized, controlled trial, use of a three-step critical pathway reduced the durations of intravenous antibiotic therapy and hospitalization without increasing deaths or readmissions.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
July 11, 2012
Covering:
Carratalà J et al., Arch Intern Med 2012 Jun 25; 172:922
Sharpe BA., Arch Intern Med 2012 Jun 25; 172:928
Urine Tests Detect TB in HIV-Infected Patients
Using the Xpert MTB/RIF rapid molecular assay on urine samples increased TB diagnostic yield in HIV-infected patients with advanced immunodeficiency.
By Kogie Naidoo, MD
July 9, 2012
Covering:
Lawn SD et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2012 Jul 1; 60:289
Global Mortality from 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a model, the estimated number of respiratory and cardiovascular deaths (284,500) was 15 times higher than the number of deaths reported.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
July 3, 2012
Covering:
Dawood FS et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2012 Jun 26
Viboud C and Simonsen L., Lancet Infect Dis 2012 Jun 26
Hyperglycemia at Admission Is Associated with Excess Mortality Among Pneumonia Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
But, whether treating hyperglycemia lowers mortality risk is unknown.
Tuberculosis Is Seasonal in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Analysis of 16 years of CDC data suggests a spring peak and a fall trough in cases resulting from recent infection.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
June 20, 2012
Covering:
Willis MD et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jun 1; 54:1553
Aerosol Transmission of Influenza Virus
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Experiments involving a mechanical model suggest that influenza virus can be spread efficiently through small-particle aerosols.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
June 13, 2012
Covering:
Noti JD et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jun 1; 54:1569
Cowling BJ., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jun 1; 54:1578
Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis — Good News, Bad News
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A phase II clinical trial of a novel agent offers hope, even as survey results from China prompt serious concern.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
June 6, 2012
Covering:
Gler MT et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Jun 7; 366:2151
Zhao Y et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Jun 7; 366:2161
Chaisson RE and Nuermberger EL., N Engl J Med 2012 Jun 7; 366:2223
Zinc and the Common Cold, Redux
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In the latest meta-analysis, zinc was mildly effective, but we still have little reason to endorse its use.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Cystic Fibrosis — The Estradiol Connection
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Estradiol and its metabolite estriol induce mucoid conversion of <$EMPH_O>P. aeruginosa<$EMPH_C>, thus increasing disease exacerbations in women with cystic fibrosis.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
May 23, 2012
Covering:
Chotirmall SH et al., N Engl J Med 2012 May 24; 366:1978
The Benefits of Contact Investigation for TB
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Active TB was diagnosed in 1% of contacts within 4 years after exposure; chemoprophylaxis of those with latent infection significantly reduced the risk for active disease.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 16, 2012
Covering:
Anger HA et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 May 1; 54:1287
ART Reduces TB Risk, Even in High-Income Countries
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
However, the benefit is not seen in patients who start ART at very low CD4-cell counts.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
May 14, 2012
Covering:
The HIV-CAUSAL Collaboration., Clin Infect Dis 2012 May 1; 54:1364
Antibiotics Are Overprescribed for Acute Bronchitis
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Antibiotics were prescribed to too many patients and bronchodilators to too few at two emergency departments in San Diego.
Avian Influenza Transmission in Mammals
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
The first of two highly controversial studies of modified avian H5N1 influenza virus has now been published.
Viral Etiology Affects Length of Stay in Children with Bronchiolitis
Compared with hospitalized children with RSV alone, those with RSV plus rhinovirus had significantly longer hospital stays.
Does Vitamin D Supplementation Reduce the Rate of Infant Pneumonia?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In a vitamin D–deficient infant population, such supplementation did not reduce the incidence of pneumonia or change the age at which first episodes occurred.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
May 2, 2012
Covering:
Manaseki-Holland S et al., Lancet 2012 Apr 14; 379:1419
Martineau AR., Lancet 2012 Apr 14; 379:1373
A Recombinant Vaccine for Tuberculosis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a phase IIa trial, vaccination with MVA85A was well tolerated and induced T-cell responses in individuals with HIV infection, Mtb infection, or both.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 2, 2012
Covering:
Scriba TJ et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012 Apr 1; 185:769
Can You Diagnose Strep Throat Without a Culture?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Compared with culture or rapid diagnostic tests, clinical criteria for diagnosing streptococcal pharyngitis are not sufficiently specific.
Linezolid Outperforms Vancomycin for Nosocomial MRSA Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The clinical cure rate was significantly higher with linezolid than with vancomycin; mortality and serious adverse event rates were similar between the drugs.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
March 21, 2012
Covering:
Wunderink RG et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 1; 54:621
Torres A., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 1; 54:630
Nontreatment Factors Affect Outcome in MAC Lung Disease
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a retrospective analysis conducted in Japan, fibrocavitary disease, anemia, low body-mass index, and elevated C-reactive protein level were associated with increased risk for MAC-specific death.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
March 21, 2012
Covering:
Hayashi M et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012 Mar 1; 185:575
