Targeted Testing for Latent TB
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Use of a simple four-variable risk-factor questionnaire could have reduced testing by 91%.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
August 17, 2011
Covering:
Mancuso JD et al., Clin Infect Dis 2011 Aug 1; 53:234
Influenza Treatment — East vs. West
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Oseltamivir and a Chinese traditional herbal decoction reduced time to fever resolution equally well in patients with 2009 H1N1 influenza.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
August 17, 2011
Covering:
Wang C et al., Ann Intern Med 2011 Aug 16; 155:217
TB Rapid Test Performs Well in Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Overall, the Xpert MTB/RIF assay demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity; in smear-negative cases, a second induced specimen increased sensitivity from 33% to 61%.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
August 3, 2011
Covering:
Nicol MP et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2011 Jul 18
Gotuzzo E., Lancet Infect Dis 2011 Jul 18
A Novel Adenovirus with Cross-Species Transmission
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A newly identified adenovirus responsible for a deadly outbreak among monkeys was transmitted to a researcher — and to the researcher's family.
By Thomas Glück, MD
July 27, 2011
Covering:
Chen EC et al., PLoS Pathog 2011 Jul 14; 7:e1002155
A Second Big Step Toward a Universal Flu Vaccine
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Researchers have identified monoclonal antibodies with neutralizing activity against nearly all group 2 influenza viruses.
No Clinical Benefit to Nebulizing Antibiotics for Ventilator-Associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a phase II trial, nebulized ceftazidime plus amikacin had cure rates similar to those of intravenous therapy but was associated with several adverse events.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
July 20, 2011
Covering:
Lu Q et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Jul 1; 184:106
TB Tests Can Have a Lengthy Window Period
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Two studies suggest that interferon-
By Thomas Glück, MD
July 20, 2011
Covering:
Anibarro L et al., Scand J Infect Dis 2011 Jul; 43:424
Lee SW et al., Eur Respir J 2011 Jun; 37:1447
No Association Between Pandemic H1N1 Flu Vaccine and Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a multinational case-control study, the increased risk seen in unadjusted analyses disappeared after adjustment for influenza-like illness/upper respiratory tract infections and seasonal influenza vaccination.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
July 20, 2011
Covering:
Dieleman J et al., BMJ 2011 Jul 12; 343:d3908
DeStefano F et al., BMJ 2011 Jul 12; 343:d4159
TB Prophylaxis in HIV-Infected Adults: Stick with the WHO Recommendations
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
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In an open-label clinical trial, taking isoniazid alone for 6 months was just as effective as taking it for longer or adding rifamycin.
Does Pre-Exposure Isoniazid Protect Against TB in HIV-Exposed Children?
In a randomized trial, a 96-week course of isoniazid pre-exposure prophylaxis had no effect on TB-free survival in either HIV-infected infants or infants who were HIV exposed but uninfected.
Landmark Biomarker Studies Are Likely to Overstate Findings
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Results of frequently cited studies often differ markedly from those of meta-analyses or studies in larger populations.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
July 6, 2011
Covering:
Ioannidis JPA and Panagiotou OA., JAMA 2011 Jun 1; 305:2200
Bossuyt PMM., JAMA 2011 Jun 1; 305:2229
Severe Childhood Pneumonia Worsened by Influenza Virus Coinfection
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Findings from a large, retrospective cohort study underscore the importance of immunizing children against influenza.
Short-Course Antibiotic Therapy for Meningitis in Children Shows Promise
Five days of ceftriaxone was effective in stable children with meningitis in developing countries.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
June 29, 2011
Covering:
Molyneux E et al., Lancet 2011 May 28; 377:1837
Snape MD and Kelly DF., Lancet 2011 May 28; 377:1809
Inhaled Levofloxacin Beneficial in CF Patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a placebo-controlled trial, inhaled levofloxacin (240 mg twice daily) significantly reduced sputum <$EMPH_O>P. aeruginosa<$EMPH_C> density and improved pulmonary function.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
June 22, 2011
Covering:
Geller DE et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Jun 1; 183:1510
Dexamethasone Shortens Hospitalization in Uncomplicated Community-Acquired Pneumonia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
But this Dutch study should not alter routine practice in the U.S.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
June 21, 2011
Covering:
Meijvis SCA et al., Lancet 2011 Jun 11; 377:2023
Confalonieri M and Meduri GU., Lancet 2011 Jun 11; 377:1982
Immediate ART of No Benefit in Patients with Tuberculous Meningitis
Patients who started ART during the first week of TB treatment had the same mortality risk as those who started after 2 months of TB treatment; they also had more grade 4 adverse events.
Pneumococcal Vaccination Effects on Carriage and Invasive Disease in Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Pneumococcal serotypes covered by the 7-valent vaccine were replaced by serotypes with lower invasiveness potential, resulting in a net reduction in invasive pneumococcal disease.
By Thomas Glück, MD
June 15, 2011
Covering:
Flasche S et al., PLoS Med 2011 Apr; 8:e1001017
β-Blockers in COPD Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Four-year mortality was lower among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who received β-blockers.
Tifacogin and Mortality in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled study, 28-day mortality was no better with tifacogin — a recombinant tissue factor pathway inhibitor — than with placebo.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
June 8, 2011
Covering:
Wunderink RG et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Jun 1; 183:1561
Sanchez JF et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Jun 1; 183:1449
Duration of Isoniazid Prophylaxis and TB Incidence in HIV-Infected People
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in Botswana, extending isoniazid prophylaxis from 6 to 36 months reduced tuberculosis incidence by 43%.
A Shorter, Simpler Treatment Option for Latent Tuberculosis?
Infectious Diseases News in Context
Free
In a large, CDC-sponsored trial, combination therapy weekly for 3 months was as effective as single-drug therapy daily for 9 months.
Using PCR to Detect Aspergillus and Assess Resistance
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Polymerase chain reaction analysis detected <$EMPH_O>Aspergillus<$EMPH_C> species and triazole resistance in respiratory specimens from many patients with negative fungal cultures.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 18, 2011
Covering:
Denning DW et al., Clin Infect Dis 2011 May 1; 52:1123
Examining the Tobacco–Tuberculosis Link
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In mice, cigarette smoke was associated with excess vulnerability to primary TB through a range of immune mediators.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
May 5, 2011
Covering:
Shang S et al., J Infect Dis 2011 May 1; 203:1240
Statin Use and Risk for Death After Pneumonia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Statin users were significantly less likely to die in the 6 months after pneumonia diagnoses.
A Four-Drug Fixed-Dose Combination Regimen for TB
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Using four drugs in a fixed-dose combination was just as safe and effective for intensive TB treatment as using the same drugs separately.
