Does Supplemental Oxygen Keep Infants with Bronchiolitis in the Hospital?
Oxygen supplementation determines length of stay in hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis when the oxygen threshold is <94% SpO2 .
Rapid Screening for MDR-TB
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A molecular probe was
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 23, 2008
Covering:
Barnard M et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Apr 1; 177:787
Legionella as a Cause of CAP
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
<$EMPH_O>Legionella<$EMPH_C> species were the causative organisms in 3.8% of patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Germany.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 16, 2008
Covering:
von Baum H et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 May 1; 46:1356
Factors Affecting CAP Outcome
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a large retrospective study, using guideline-compliant treatment and establishing an etiologic diagnosis were associated with shorter LOS and lower risk for late in-hospital mortality.
By Thomas Glück, MD
April 16, 2008
Covering:
Garau J et al., Clin Microbiol Infect 2008 Mar 5; 14:322
TB by Transplant
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
TB was transmitted from a donor with unrecognized infection to two organ recipients.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
April 16, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Apr 4; 57:333
Antibiotics in Acute Rhinosinusitis: Often Prescribed, but Rarely Indicated
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
No clinical signs or symptoms identified a subgroup of patients who derived benefit from antibiotics.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
April 15, 2008
Covering:
Young J et al., Lancet 2008 Mar 15; 371:908
Effects of Statins and ACE Inhibitors in CAP and Influenza
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
An analysis of VA data indicates that, at least in men, statin or ACE inhibitor use is associated with decreased mortality from community-acquired pneumonia or influenza.
By Thomas Glück, MD
April 2, 2008
Covering:
Mortensen EM et al., Eur Respir J 2008 Mar; 31:611
Fluoroquinolones: Treating TB Reduces Pneumococcal Susceptibility
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The use of fluoroquinolones to treat MDR-TB was associated with the emergence of pediatric invasive pneumococcal disease caused by levofloxacin-nonsusceptible organisms.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
April 2, 2008
Covering:
von Gottberg A et al., Lancet 2008 Mar 29; 371:1108
Respiratory Viral Infections in HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
PCR testing of BAL specimens revealed respiratory viruses in nearly 20% of HIV-infected patients with suspected respiratory opportunistic infections.
Opportunistic Infections: TB, HIV, and XDR TB
Data presented at the 15th Retrovirus Conference highlighted the importance of strengthening airborne infection-control practice and relying less on hospital TB care, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Performance Measures and Pneumonia Diagnoses: Not So Fast!
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Reducing the target time to first antibiotic dose to <4 hours also reduced the accuracy of community-acquired pneumonia diagnoses.
Adverse Events from Cough and Cold Medications in Children
General Medicine Summary and Comment
About 7000 children in the U.S. visit EDs annually because of adverse drug events from cough and cold medications.
Sweet Relief for Cough?
Buckwheat honey might be better than nothing for nocturnal cough.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
February 20, 2008
Covering:
Paul IM et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007 Dec; 161:1140
Warren MD et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007 Dec; 161:1149
Adenovirus 14 Associated with Severe Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In New Mexico, three cases of severe acute respiratory tract infection — one resulting in death — were associated with adenovirus 14.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 20, 2008
Covering:
Louie JK et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Feb 1; 46:421
Elimination of TB in the U.S. Not Currently Achievable
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
According to NHANES 1999–2000 data, the prevalence of latent TB infection was 4.2% in the U.S. overall but significantly higher among some subgroups.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 20, 2008
Covering:
Bennett DE et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Feb 1; 177:348
Trends and Predictors of PCP-Related Mortality
Despite advances in treatment, 4-week PCP-related mortality rates remained steady during a 21-year period in London.
By Judith Feinberg, MD
February 15, 2008
Covering:
Walzer PD et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Feb 15; 46:625
A Potential Blood Marker for PCP
Plasma S-adenosylmethionine levels seem to be a reliable marker for diagnosing PCP in HIV-infected patients.
By Judith Feinberg, MD
February 15, 2008
Covering:
Skelly MJ et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Feb 1; 46:467
A Sublingual Flu Vaccine?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Both formalin-inactivated and live influenza virus, administered sublingually, appeared protective in a mouse model.
Cough and Cold Medicines for Kids: How Big a Problem?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The CDC estimated that nearly 7100 children aged <12 years visit emergency departments annually because of taking cold medications.
Outpatient Management of Severe Pneumonia in Developing Countries: A New Option
Outpatient treatment with high-dose oral amoxicillin might reduce hospitalization in resource-limited countries.
Diagnosing Invasive Aspergillosis in ICU Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among 110 patients at risk, elevated BAL-fluid galactomannan levels had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 87% in diagnosing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
January 16, 2008
Covering:
Meersseman W et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Jan 1; 177:27
Preventing Active TB in the Foreign-Born?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Sixty-two percent of cases of active TB among foreign-born San Francisco residents were not preventable by current TB-screening guidelines.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
January 16, 2008
Covering:
Walter ND et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Jan 1; 46:103
Legionnaires’ Disease from a Novel Source
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
An outbreak of 56 cases in Norway was associated with the vapor from an industrial air scrubber; some case patients lived >10 km from the source.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
January 16, 2008
Covering:
Nygård K et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Jan 1; 46:61
Acute Sinusitis Treatment — Antibiotics No, Steroids Maybe
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Investigators in England found no benefit for antibiotics, but possibly a limited role for nasal steroids, in patients with acute sinusitis.
Honey for Cough
General Medicine Summary and Comment
It works, but it was associated with hyperactivity and insomnia.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
January 3, 2008
Covering:
Paul IM et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007 Dec; 161:1140
