XDR-TB in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Cases of extensively drug-resistant TB have been reported in this country every year since 1993.
Movement of Drug-Resistant TB Across Borders
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Outbreaks among Hmong refugees in the U.S. — and immigrants from the former Soviet Union in Germany — demonstrate the global reach of the problem.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
November 26, 2008
Covering:
Oeltmann JE et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2008 Nov; 14:1715
Eker B et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2008 Nov; 14:1700
Rifampin vs. Isoniazid for Latent TB: Adverse Events and Adherence
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Serious adverse events occurred less frequently and adherence was better with 4 months of rifampin than with 9 months of isoniazid.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
November 26, 2008
Covering:
Menzies D et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Nov 18; 149:689
Pneumonia Risk Still Elevated in HIV Patients
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
In a population-based study, the incidence of pneumonia was substantially increased in HIV-infected individuals, even those who were receiving ART and had near-normal CD4-cell counts.
By Paul E. Sax, MD
November 24, 2008
Covering:
Sogaard OS et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Nov 15; 47:1345
Efficacy of Vaccinations During and After Efalizumab Therapy
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Efalizumab recipients who were vaccinated during active therapy had uncompromised immune responses to some vaccines but lower-than-normal responses to others.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
November 21, 2008
Covering:
Krueger JG et al., J Invest Dermatol 2008 Nov; 128:2615
Marmon S and Strober BE., J Invest Dermatol 2008 Nov; 128:2567
New Google Tool Can Help Americans Track the Flu
Google uses aggregated search data to track flu activity.
Patients with Smear-Negative TB Can Transmit Infection
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a large cohort analysis of clustered cases, about 13% of cases were attributable to transmission from patients with smear-negative pulmonary TB.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
November 19, 2008
Covering:
Tostmann A et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Nov 1; 47:1135
Do Statins Improve CAP Outcome?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a prospective observational study, 30-day mortality and incidence of complicated pneumonia were significantly lower in patients on statins than in those not on statins.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
November 19, 2008
Covering:
Chalmers JD et al., Am J Med 2008 Nov; 121:1002
Predicting Antibiotic Resistance Using HCAP Criteria?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In patients with pneumonia, a simple scoring system using criteria for healthcare-associated pneumonia predicts the risk for resistant bacteria.
TB Infectiousness of TB/HIV-Coinfected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Among guinea pigs exposed to air from an HIV/TB ward, nearly all infections acquired by the animals originated from just 8.5% of the ward admissions.
By Thomas Glück, MD
October 29, 2008
Covering:
Escombe AR et al., PLoS Med 2008 Sep 16; 5:e188
XDR- and MDR-TB in Rural South Africa Is Caused by Exogenous Reinfection
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
New data from a 2005–2006 outbreak highlight the need for AIDS treatment clinics to improve infection-control measures and implement protocols for intermittent isoniazid therapy.
MRSA and Pulmonary Function in CF
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a large cohort analysis, pulmonary function declined 43% faster in CF patients with persistent MRSA respiratory infections than in those with no MRSA infections.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
October 22, 2008
Covering:
Dasenbrook EC et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Oct 15; 178:814
Risks for Infection with Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists
Dermatology Summary and Comment
This review of infections related to anti-TNF therapy shows that active disease is more likely to develop during treatment and describes an effective screening model.
A Herd Effect of PCV-7 or Quinolones on S. pneumoniae?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
PCV-7 use in children affected serotype prevalence and penicillin nonsusceptibility in adults; increased quinolone use in adults was not associated with levofloxacin nonsusceptibility in children.
Streptococcus milleri Group Bacteria and Cystic Fibrosis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Investigations of microbial communities in cystic fibrosis patients indicate a major role for <$EMPH_O>Streptococcus milleri<$EMPH_C> group bacteria in clinical exacerbations.
Bacterial Pneumonia as Pandemic Flu Killer
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A review of autopsies from the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic showed that most deaths resulted from secondary bacterial pneumonia.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
October 8, 2008
Covering:
Morens DM et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Oct 1; 198:962
McCullers JA., J Infect Dis 2008 Oct 1; 198:945
Persistence of Humoral Immunity — for 90 Years!
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Survivors of the 1918 influenza pandemic still have neutralizing antibodies to the 1918 H1N1 influenza strain.
Pseudomonas Colonization Worsens Prognosis in Ventilated Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A high burden of <$EMPH_O>Pseudomonas<$EMPH_C> in the respiratory tract, even without signs of pneumonia, significantly increases the risk for death.
By Thomas Glück, MD
October 1, 2008
Covering:
Zhuo H et al., Crit Care Med 2008 Sep; 36:2495
Lisboa T and Rello J., Crit Care Med 2008 Sep; 36:2675
Concurrent ART/TB Treatment Finally Proven to Be Beneficial
Giving ART while TB treatment was still ongoing dramatically improved survival among HIV/TB-coinfected patients in a large clinical trial in South Africa.
By ACC Editors
September 29, 2008
Covering:
Long-Term Use of Synbiotics Is Safe
A large randomized trial confirms the safety of prenatal probiotic exposure and synbiotic exposure in healthy young infants.
Maternal Influenza Immunization Protects Infants
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Inactivated influenza vaccine reduced respiratory illness in the infants of women who were immunized during pregnancy.
Is Legionellosis Increasing in the U.S.?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
An analysis of cases reported to the CDC demonstrates a marked increase in legionellosis incidence beginning in 2003.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
September 24, 2008
Covering:
Neil K and Berkelman R., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Sep 1; 47:591
Ng V et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Sep 1; 47:600
PPIs and CAP Risk
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Although short-term use of proton-pump inhibitors was associated with increased risk for community-acquired pneumonia, long-term use was not.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
September 24, 2008
Covering:
Sarkar M et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Sep 16; 149:391
Identifying Pneumonia Patients Who Are Unstable at Discharge
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A composite of four instability variables (temperature, blood pressure, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation) at discharge was correlated with 30-day postdischarge mortality.
By Thomas Glück, MD
September 24, 2008
Covering:
Capelastegui A et al., Chest 2008 Sep; 134:595
Measuring Pleural Fluid pH: Technique Matters!
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Leaving air or lidocaine in the syringe or analyzing the sample
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
September 24, 2008
Covering:
Rahman NM et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Sep 1; 178:483
