ART in the Setting of TB Treatment: Earlier Is Better
Survival rates among coinfected patients can be improved dramatically by initiating ART sooner rather than later.
Cardiovascular Biomarkers Predict Outcome in CAP
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In a group of patients with community-acquired pneumonia, cardiovascular biomarkers predicted both 28-day and 180-day mortality.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
December 22, 2010
Covering:
Krüger S et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Dec 1; 182:1426
Aerosolized Colistin for VAP?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a retrospective case-control study, adding aerosolized colistin to intravenous colistin did not improve outcomes in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogens.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
December 22, 2010
Covering:
Kofteridis DP et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Dec 1; 51:1238
Paterson DL and Rogers BA., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Dec 1; 51:1245
CDC Issues Recommendations for a New Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
The new 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine provides expanded serotype coverage for infants and young children.
New WHO Guidelines for Preventing TB Among HIV-Infected People
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
The new guidelines recommend isoniazid prophylaxis for at least 6 months in HIV-infected individuals in resource-constrained settings who do not have active TB.
By Ashraf Mohammed, PhD, MSc (Med Sci), and Carlos del Rio, MD
December 20, 2010
Covering:
World Health Organization.,
How Safe Is the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The rate of adverse events associated with the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine was similar to that associated with seasonal influenza vaccines.
Acne and Acanthosis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
In Native American children, acanthosis nigricans was a specific but not a sensitive marker for insulin resistance.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
December 3, 2010
Covering:
Nsiah-Kumi PA et al., J Natl Med Assoc 2010 Oct; 102:944
"Hyper" Infections Can Mean It's More Than AD
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Clinical markers that distinguish atopic dermatitis from hyper-IgE syndrome include severe infections.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
December 3, 2010
Covering:
Schimke LF et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010 Sep; 126:611
Treatment of Influenza with Intravenous Peramivir
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Intravenous peramivir given within 48 hours of influenza symptom onset was well tolerated, reduced fever, and shortened time to resumption of usual activities.
By Thomas Glück, MD
December 1, 2010
Covering:
Kohno S et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2010 Nov; 54:4568
Do Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains Spread Between CF Patients?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A common, transmissible strain of <$EMPH_O>P. aeruginosa<$EMPH_C> was found in 15% of cystic fibrosis patients in Canada and was associated with a worse prognosis than unique strains.
My Mother Was Right About VapoRub!
In a single-night study, vapor rub improved cough and congestion symptoms in children.
Improving Late-Season Influenza Vaccination Rates
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Mail and telephone reminders improved vaccination rates among patients who were not vaccinated early in the influenza season.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
November 24, 2010
Covering:
Minor DS et al., Am J Med 2010 Nov; 123:1031
Pneumocystis Prophylaxis with Immunosuppressive Agents?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
PCP prophylaxis should not be administered routinely to patients taking immunosuppressive medications.
By Jan V. Hirschmann, MD
November 12, 2010
Covering:
Lehman JS and Kalaaji AN., J Am Acad Dermatol 2010 Nov; 63:815
Cost-Effectiveness of Outpatient Treatment Regimens for Pediatric Bronchiolitis
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
The data do not support routine use of nebulized epinephrine plus oral corticosteroids for outpatient treatment of infants with bronchiolitis.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
November 12, 2010
Covering:
Sumner A et al., Pediatrics 2010 Oct; 126:623
The Effect of Antiretroviral Therapy on TB in Africa
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Mathematical modeling suggests that frequent HIV testing and prompt treatment could significantly reduce tuberculosis incidence.
Probiotics and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a blinded, randomized study involving 138 mechanically ventilated patients, <$EMPH_O>Lactobacillus<$EMPH_C> administered to the oropharynx and gastrointestinal tract significantly reduced VAP incidence.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
November 10, 2010
Covering:
Morrow LE et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Oct 15; 182:1058
Relevance of HSV in Pulmonary Specimens from Critically Ill Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In patients with suspected viral pneumonia, herpes simplex virus was a marker for severe disease, not a cause of it.
By Thomas Glück, MD
November 3, 2010
Covering:
Scheithauer S et al., Infection 2010 Oct; 38:401
Intermittent Subglottic Suction to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a randomized, nonblinded study, intermittent subglottic suction reduced the incidence of microbiologically confirmed VAP by 42%.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
October 27, 2010
Covering:
Lacherade J-C et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Oct 1; 182:910
Atypical Mycobacterial Infections Might Be on the Rise
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Pulmonary infections are now more common than pulmonary tuberculosis.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
October 21, 2010
Covering:
Winthrop KL et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Oct 1; 182:977
Prevots DR et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Oct 1; 182:970
Exclusive Breast-Feeding Protects Infants Against Common Infections
Exclusive breast-feeding for 6 months reduced the frequency and severity of common infections during the first year of life.
Protecting Young Infants by Maternal Influenza Vaccination
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The risk for influenza was 41% lower in infants of vaccinated mothers than in infants of unvaccinated mothers.
Nebulized Hypertonic Saline Without Bronchodilators in Children with Bronchiolitis
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
This study does not prove that nebulized hypertonic saline is safe.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
October 15, 2010
Covering:
Ralston S et al., Pediatrics 2010 Sep; 126:e520
Oseltamivir Helps in 2009 H1N1 Influenza
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Progression to pneumonia and shedding of virus were diminished with oseltamivir treatment.
2009 H1N1 Influenza in HIV-Positive Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Outcomes seem to be no worse among HIV-positive patients (at least those with well-controlled disease who were admitted to the hospital) than among other patients.
Pneumococcal Urinary Antigen Screening in Hospitalized Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Such screening could optimize antibiotic therapy.
