HIV Prevalence in the U.S. Population
Approximately 0.5% of people aged 18 to 49 living in U.S. households are infected with HIV, according to National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted . . .
Preventing Abacavir Hypersensitivity Reaction
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Screening prospectively for HLA-B*5701 — and avoiding abacavir use in those who test positive — reduces the incidence of hypersensitivity reaction to this NRTI.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
February 6, 2008
Covering:
Mallal S et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Feb 7; 358:568
Ingelman-Sundberg M., N Engl J Med 2008 Feb 7; 358:637
Circumcision Status and HIV Infection Among MSM in the U.S.
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Results from an observational study do not support a protective effect of circumcision among Latino and black MSM in the U.S.
By Rebeca M. Plank, MD
February 4, 2008
Covering:
Millett GA et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007 Dec 15; 46:643
Awareness and Use of Pre- and Postexposure Prophylaxis among MSM
Only about half the men surveyed had heard of PEP, and very few had used it.
Tenofovir-Containing Regimens for Postexposure Prophylaxis
Such regimens appear to be safe and effective.
By Raphael J. Landovitz, MD
February 4, 2008
Covering:
Mayer KH et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007 Dec 20
MDR MRSA in Men Who Have Sex with Men
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Male–male sex markedly increases the risks for transmitting and acquiring multidrug-resistant staphylococci.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
January 30, 2008
Covering:
Diep BA et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Feb 19; 148:249
"Humanized" Mice — A Model for Testing HIV Acquisition
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Pretreatment of these animals with antiretroviral drugs was effective in preventing intravaginal HIV acquisition.
By Thomas Glück, MD
January 30, 2008
Covering:
Denton PW et al., PLoS Med 2008 Jan 15; 5:e16
FDA Approval: Etravirine
Etravirine is highly effective against most viruses with resistance to other NNRTIs. Clinicians will need to be especially aware of the determinants of cross-resistance and of some significant drug–drug interactions.
Dual HIV Infection Without Disease Progression
A new report describes HIV coinfection and superinfection in two patients with nonprogressive HIV disease.
By Jared M. Baeten, MD, PhD
January 28, 2008
Covering:
Casado C et al., J Infect Dis 2007 Sep 15; 196:895
Perceptions About Genital Herpes: Bridging the Clinician–Patient Gap
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions of the transmission and management of genital herpes differed in many ways.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
January 24, 2008
Covering:
Romanowski B et al., Sex Transm Infect 2007 Nov 22
HIV Incidence Among Men with Early Syphilis: A Tale of Three Cities
Among men diagnosed with early syphilis at STD clinics in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, HIV incidence was estimated to be 9.5% per year overall and 12.0% per year for MSM.
Detecting Acute HIV Infection During Pregnancy
Five pregnant women with acute HIV infection were identified at publicly funded testing sites in North Carolina and subsequently treated; none transmitted HIV to their infants.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
January 18, 2008
Covering:
Patterson KB et al., AIDS 2007 Nov; 21:2303
RNA Interference Identifies Potential New Targets for HIV Therapy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Targeting host, rather than viral, proteins can minimize the likelihood of resistance to new agents.
Why Don’t Guys Use Condoms Correctly?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
High motivation and perceived high female-partner motivation contributed to correct condom use by men; loss of erection and poor condom fit or feel thwarted proper use.
The Sting of the HPV Vaccine
More reports of fainting and pain with Gardasil than with other routine vaccines
What Makes HIV Tick?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Using cutting-edge molecular techniques, researchers identified more than 250 human proteins involved in HIV replication, raising the prospect of new therapeutic targets.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
January 16, 2008
Covering:
Brass AL et al., Science 2008 Jan 10
Cohen J., Science 2008 Jan 11; 319:143
Baby Steps: Introducing Systematic HIV Screening in the ED
Rapid HIV testing is feasible in the ED, but questions remain about covering the costs and linking patients to follow-up care.
By Charles B. Hicks, MD
January 14, 2008
Covering:
Brown J et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007 Dec 1; 46:395
New Vaginal Swab Test for Chlamydia Yields Accurate Results in 30 Minutes
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
The test had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 99%.
A Bad Year for Pharmaceutical Erythropoietins
Epoetins are valuable agents but should be used sparingly.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
December 28, 2007
Circumcision to Prevent HIV: A Promising Strategy Raises Provocative Questions
Circumcision in high-risk adult males lowers their rate of HIV infection, but will this procedure be culturally acceptable?
Triple-Class Failure in HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
About 9% of patients who initiate combination antiretroviral therapy develop extensive triple-class virologic failure within 10 years.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
December 19, 2007
Covering:
Phillips AN et al., Lancet 2007 Dec 8; 370:1923
Mills EJ and Nachega JB., Lancet 2007 Dec 8; 370:1885
New Rapid Chlamydia Test
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Point-of-service diagnosis and treatment
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
December 13, 2007
Covering:
Mahilum-Tapay L et al., BMJ 2007 Dec 8; 335:1190
Bacterial Vaginosis: Condoms Might Prevent More Than Pregnancy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Consistent condom use cut risk for new and persistent or recurrent BV by about half.
BV Incidence Among Lesbians
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In a community setting, BV prevalence was higher in lesbians than in heterosexual women.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
December 13, 2007
Covering:
Evans AL et al., Sex Transm Infect 2007 Oct; 83:470
New Rapid Test for Chlamydia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
An easy-to-read immunoassay-based test for <$EMPH_O>Chlamydia<$EMPH_C> shows good sensitivity, specificity, and turnaround time.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
December 12, 2007
Covering:
Mahilum-Tapay L et al., BMJ 2007 Dec 8; 335:1190
