Rapid Diagnostic Test for TB Effective in Low-Resource Settings
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The Xpert MTB/RIF test had high sensitivity and specificity for detecting TB and multidrug-resistant TB and also shortened time to diagnosis.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
April 27, 2011
Covering:
Boehme CC et al., Lancet 2011 Apr 30; 377:1495
Kranzer K., Lancet 2011 Apr 30; 377:1467
Early Tracheotomy vs. Prolonged Intubation and Late Tracheotomy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Outcomes were similar with both approaches in patients requiring mechanical ventilation.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
April 12, 2011
Covering:
Trouillet J-L et al., Ann Intern Med 2011 Mar 15; 154:373
Patel SB and Kress JP., Ann Intern Med 2011 Mar 15; 154:434
Complications of Sinusitis in Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Intracranial complications were more severe than intraorbital complications.
TB and Advanced HIV: Start ART Early
Just how early depends on the patient's CD4-cell count, according to the SAPiT and STRIDE results presented at CROI 2011.
Oral Steroids for Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The early and transient benefits of oral steroids probably do not outweigh their potential side effects.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
March 29, 2011
Covering:
Vaidyanathan S et al., Ann Intern Med 2011 Mar 1; 154:293
Mullol J and Alobid I., Ann Intern Med 2011 Mar 1; 154:365
Predictors of Admission in Infants with Bronchiolitis
The authors used five clinical predictors of admission to develop a clinical risk score.
Do Inhaled Steroids Raise Pneumonia Risk in Asthma Patients?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An industry-sponsored meta-analysis says no.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 17, 2011
Covering:
O'Byrne PM et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Mar 1; 183:589
Managing Mycobacterium abscessus Pulmonary Disease
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a small retrospective study, a prolonged microbiological response was significantly more likely with antibiotics and surgery than with antibiotics alone.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
March 16, 2011
Covering:
Jarand J et al., Clin Infect Dis 2011 Mar 1; 52:565
Griffith DE., Clin Infect Dis 2011 Mar 1; 52:572
CRP Levels May Help with TB Diagnosis
Data from an area with a high prevalence of HIV infection suggest that normal C-reactive protein levels might be useful for ruling out active TB.
By Mauro Schechter, MD, PhD
March 14, 2011
Covering:
Wilson D et al., PLoS ONE 2011 Jan 10; 6:e15248
Mortality Among Older Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Overall CAP mortality fell from 13.5% to 9.7% from 1987 to 2005.
A Look Back to Last Winter's Flu Vaccine
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Chinese authorities found no unforeseen complications from the controversial H1N1 vaccine.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
March 1, 2011
Covering:
Liang X-F et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Feb 17; 364:638
Severe H1N1 Influenza Infection: Hold the Corticosteroids!
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
An observational European study shows that corticosteroids increased risk for pneumonia and conferred no mortality benefit in patients with severe H1N1 infection.
PPIs and H2 -Blockers: Not So Benign
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Acid suppression with proton-pump inhibitors or histamine-2 blockers heightens risk for pneumonia in hospitalized patients.
Pulmonary Disease in HIV
Both infectious and noninfectious pulmonary diseases were more common among HIV-positive patients than among HIV-negative controls.
By Paul E. Sax, MD
February 14, 2011
Covering:
Crothers K et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Feb 1; 183:388
Do Guidelines for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Worsen Outcome?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among intensive care unit patients with pneumonia and risk factors for a multidrug-resistant pathogen, guideline-compliant treatment was associated with increased mortality.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
February 9, 2011
Covering:
Kett DH et al., Lancet Infect Dis 2011 Jan 20
Ewig S., Lancet Infect Dis 2011 Jan 20
Performance of Bedside Antigen Tests for Pandemic 2009 H1N1 Influenza
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Sensitivity ranged from 28% to 70% and negative predictive value from 71% to 80%.
By Thomas Glück, MD
February 9, 2011
Covering:
Lee H-M et al., Scand J Infect Dis 2011 Jan; 43:43
Bellmann-Weiler R et al., Clin Microbiol Infect 2011 Feb; 17:235
Patient Genotype Affects Response to Supplemental Vitamin D in TB Treatment
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis whose treatment included supplemental vitamin D, those with the <$EMPH_O>Taq<$EMPH_C>I <$EMPH_O>tt<$EMPH_C> genotype showed enhanced sputum-culture conversion.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
February 2, 2011
Covering:
Martineau AR et al., Lancet 2011 Jan 15; 377:242
Vieth R., Lancet 2011 Jan 15; 377:189
Vaccine Effectiveness Against 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Europe, 2009–2010
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccines were at least 66% effective, whereas the 2009–2010 seasonal influenza vaccines were ineffective.
By Thomas Glück, MD
February 2, 2011
Covering:
Valenciano M et al., PLoS Med 2011 Jan 11; 8:e1000388
Steroids for Children with Community-Acquired Pneumonia?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Hospital length of stay was shorter in children who received corticosteroids — but only in those with wheezing.
A Better Way of Screening TB Contacts
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An interferon-
By Abigail Zuger, MD
February 1, 2011
Covering:
Diel R et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Jan 1; 183:88
Lange C and Rieder HL., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Jan 1; 183:3
Echinacea for the Common Cold
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The herb provided no significant benefit.
Predicting Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Healthy Infants
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Four risk factors were identified; infants with all four had a 32% chance of RSV lower respiratory tract infection during the first year of life.
Nonventilator-Associated Pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Patients with this illness had a lower rate of etiologic diagnosis than those with ventilator-associated pneumonia and were more likely to have <$EMPH_O>Streptococcus pneumoniae<$EMPH_C> isolated.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
January 19, 2011
Covering:
Esperatti M et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Dec 15; 182:1533
Echinacea and the Common Cold
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Echinacea treatment did not significantly change the course of illness.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
January 5, 2011
Covering:
Barrett B et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 Dec 21; 153:769
Vancomycin for MRSA Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In patients with healthcare-associated pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant <$EMPH_O>Staphylococcus aureus,<$EMPH_C> mortality was correlated with the pathogen's vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration.
By Thomas Glück, MD
January 5, 2011
Covering:
Haque NZ et al., Chest 2010 Dec; 138:1356
