Reduced Mortality Among HIV-Infected Infants
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
ART initiated soon after birth reduced HIV disease progression by 75% and early mortality by 76%.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
November 19, 2008
Covering:
Violari A et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Nov 20; 359:2233
Spontaneous HCV Clearance in HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The likelihood of such clearance was associated with geographic origin, HBV status, and risk behavior.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
November 19, 2008
Covering:
Soriano V et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Nov 1; 198:1337
Bruno R and Sacchi P., J Infect Dis 2008 Nov 1; 198:1262
A Single Case of Cure?
On November 7, 2008, the Wall Street Journal described an AIDS patient in Germany who was “functionally cured” after receiving a bone marrow transplant from . . .
Syphilis in San Francisco
Syphilis rates are rising again in San Francisco after declining for the past 3 years. During the first 8 months of 2008, 409 syphilis cases . . .
Origin of Rebounding HIV During ART Interruption
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Detailed analysis of HIV strains obtained during treatment interruptions indicates viral reactivation of latently infected cells.
Cervical Cancer Screening Test Tailored for Use in Developing Countries
Women's Health Summary and Comment
A quick, technologically simple HPV-DNA test for use in resource-poor settings performed well in rural China.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
October 30, 2008
Covering:
Qiao Y-L et al., Lancet Oncol 2008 Oct; 9:929
Circumcision Status and HIV Risk Among MSM
A meta-analysis of observational studies does not provide evidence that male circumcision protects MSM against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
By Rebeca M. Plank, MD
October 20, 2008
Covering:
Millett GA et al., JAMA 2008 Oct 8; 300:1674
Vermund SH and Qian HZ., JAMA 2008 Oct 8; 300:1698
USPSTF Recommends STI Counseling for Sexually Active Adolescents and At-Risk Adults
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
However, evidence was insufficient to advocate counseling for other adolescents or adults.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
October 16, 2008
Covering:
Lin JS et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Oct 7; 149:497
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force., Ann Intern Med 2008 Oct 7; 149:491
Doxycycline or Tetracycline for Primary Syphilis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a retrospective study, serologic success rates were 97% with benzathine penicillin and 100% with doxycycline or tetracycline.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
October 15, 2008
Covering:
Wong T et al., Am J Med 2008 Oct; 121:903
When Did HIV Emerge?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Analysis of a newly discovered HIV sequence from 1960 suggests that the virus entered the human population around the beginning of the twentieth century.
Not All Med Students See Safe-Sex Counseling as Relevant to Practice
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Student attitudes on the importance of counseling patients about safe sex changed from their freshman to their senior year and varied significantly by anticipated medical specialty.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
October 2, 2008
Covering:
Frank E et al., Obstet Gynecol 2008 Aug; 112:311
Maraviroc: Phase III Studies Published
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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Maraviroc, a CCR5 antagonist, is effective against R5-tropic HIV.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
October 1, 2008
Covering:
Gulick RM et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Oct 2; 359:1429
Fätkenheuer G et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Oct 2; 359:1442
Dolin R., N Engl J Med 2008 Oct 2; 359:1509
What Happens When PEP or PrEP Fails?
A case report provides at least some reassurance that failure of antiretroviral prophylaxis does not necessarily result in drug resistance.
By Raphael J. Landovitz, MD
September 29, 2008
Covering:
Prada N et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2008 Sep 2
Patients on Suppressive ART Can Transmit HIV Infection
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
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The documented transmission of HIV from a nonviremic patient to his partner makes a strong case for patients on successful ART to continue safer-sex practices.
Intermittent ART and Risk for HIV Transmission
A SMART substudy demonstrates a greater likelihood of HIV transmission in patients who do not take antiretrovirals continuously.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
September 22, 2008
Covering:
Burman W et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2008 Oct 1
Using Serum RPR to Monitor Neurosyphilis Treatment
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
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Normalization of serum RPR correlated with normalization of CSF WBC count and CSF VDRL titer in >90% of patients.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
September 17, 2008
Covering:
Marra CM et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Oct 1; 47:893
Acute HCV Infection in HIV-Positive Men
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
More than 80% of HIV-infected men with newly acquired HCV had moderately advanced fibrosis.
Abacavir Use and CVD Risk
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Abacavir use has now been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disease by a second large study.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
September 17, 2008
Covering:
The SMART/INSIGHT and the D:A:D Study Groups., AIDS 2008 Sep 12; 22:F17
Has Your Lab Changed Its Syphilis Testing Protocol?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
If so, you might be facing an unfamiliar decision tree.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
September 16, 2008
Covering:
CDC., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Aug 15; 57:872
"Combination Prevention" Gains Ground as High Priority
The idea of packaging proven prevention strategies took hold at this year’s International AIDS Conference.
Rapid HIV Testing in Emergency Departments — Beware of False Positives
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
In a low-prevalence ED, rapid tests often ruled out HIV, but, when reactive, they often yielded false-positive results.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
September 8, 2008
Covering:
Walensky RP et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Aug 5; 149:153
Rapid HIV Testing in the ED
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Not ready for prime time
Preventing Vaginal HIV Transmission Still Proves to Be Elusive
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Microbicidal vaginal gel did not diminish HIV infection rates in African and Indian women.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
August 27, 2008
Covering:
Van Damme L et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jul 31; 359:463
Treatment of HIV Infection: Updated Guidelines from the IAS–USA
Infectious Diseases Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
The panel recommends that HIV-infected patients with CD4 counts <350 cells/mm3 be treated and that therapy be considered in patients with higher CD4 counts.
A New Wrinkle in Syphilis Testing
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Reversal of the traditional syphilis screening test algorithm reveals cases that would have been missed before.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
August 27, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Aug 15; 57:872
