Multidrug-Resistant MRSA More Common Among Men Who Have Sex with Men
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
The infection might be sexually transmitted.
Nucleoside Analogues and MI Risk
Cardiology
Summary and Comment
Findings from a large observational study suggest that the antiretroviral HIV drugs abacavir and didanosine are associated with increased risk for MI.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
April 9, 2008
Covering:
D:A:D Study Group., Lancet 2008 Apr 2
Stein JH and Currier JS., Lancet 2008 Apr 2
When to Initiate ART?
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Initiating ART when CD4 counts were >350 cells/mm3 rather than <250 cells/mm3 was associated with lower risks for opportunistic disease, death, and other adverse events.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
April 9, 2008
Covering:
The Strategies for Management of Antiretroviral Therapy (SMART) Study Group., J Infect Dis 2008 Apr 15; 197:1133
Sex Education: Are Schools Teaching What Teens Need to Know?
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
A survey of teachers at Illinois public middle and high schools showed that only 65% teach a comprehensive sex education curriculum.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
April 3, 2008
Covering:
Lindau ST et al., Obstet Gynecol 2008 Feb; 111:256
Phipps MG., Obstet Gynecol 2008 Feb; 111:254
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.
STI Screening at Routine Medical Exams
Many patients are not being screened for sexually transmitted infections at routine medical exams, even when they are known to engage in high-risk sexual behavior.
HIV: Down, but Not Out
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
In HIV-infected patients, low-level viremia persists even after 7 years of ART.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
March 26, 2008
Covering:
Palmer S et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008 Mar 11; 105:3879
Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Neisseria meningitidis in North America
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
Free
The CDC no longer recommends ciprofloxacin for prophylaxis of meningococcal disease in some areas of Minnesota and North Dakota.
By Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP
March 21, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Feb 22; 57:173
Is Expedited Partner Therapy for STIs Legal in Your State?
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Free
EPT was determined to be legally permissible in 12 jurisdictions and probably prohibited in 13.
HPV Does Not Respect Monogamy
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Risk for HPV infection was high among sexually active women with only one male partner.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
March 20, 2008
Covering:
Winer RL et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Jan 15; 197:279
Effect of HSV Suppression on HIV Incidence
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Among "recreational-facility" workers in Tanzania, acyclovir treatment did not decrease the risk for acquiring HIV infection.
HIV/AIDS Update: Pediatric Treatment Guidelines
Infectious Diseases
Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
These guidelines, developed for the U.S., provide detailed information on ART for HIV-infected children.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
March 19, 2008
Covering:
Working Group on Antiretroviral Therapy and Medical Management of HIV-Infected Children., 2008 Feb 28
Circumcision and Risk for STIs: No Evidence of Major Protective Effect
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Free
Early childhood circumcision did not lower risk for STIs.
Postexposure Prophylaxis for HIV After Sexual Assault
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
Summary and Comment
Free
Administration is feasible, but loss-to-follow-up rates are high, and completion rates are low.
By Raphael J. Landovitz, MD
March 17, 2008
Covering:
Loutfy MR et al., Antivir Ther 2008 ; 13:87
U.S. Syphilis Rates Continue to Rise
Syphilis rates in the U.S. have increased for the seventh year in a row, according to preliminary CDC data. Between 2006 and 2007, the overall . . .
SCC of the Vulva Associated with HPV Infection
Dermatology
Summary and Comment
The incidence of HPV-associated SCC of the vulva is increasing.
By Angelica Selim, MD
March 14, 2008
Covering:
Sutton BC et al., Mod Pathol 2008 Mar; 21:345
When to Start Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
A computer simulation model suggests age should be considered when deciding on antiretroviral therapy initiation.
Sex Education Varies Among Schools and Teachers
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Nearly one third of sex-education teachers in an Illinois survey had not received sex-education training.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
March 11, 2008
Covering:
Lindau ST et al., Obstet Gynecol 2008 Feb; 111:256
Phipps MG., Obstet Gynecol 2008 Feb; 111:254
More Setbacks in HIV Prevention
Good prevention news was hard to find at the 15th Retrovirus Conference.
Continued Problems with Late HIV Diagnosis and New Problems with Testing Scale-Up
Several reports presented at the 15th Retrovirus Conference highlighted ongoing challenges with HIV testing.
HIV and the Kidney
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Antiretroviral therapy improves renal function in HIV-infected patients with chronic kidney disease and low CD4-cell counts.
Does Raising Awareness of HIV Serostatus Lower HIV Incidence?
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
Summary and Comment
Free
A mathematical model of the U.S. HIV epidemic suggests that increased awareness of serostatus among people with HIV prevented a rise in the rate of new infections.
Does Tenofovir Reduce Seminal Viral Load?
In a small pharmacokinetic study, tenofovir concentrations were much higher in semen than in blood plasma; viral loads were reduced to a similar extent in the two compartments.
Negative Results from Another Anti-HIV Microbicide Trial
In a phase III placebo-controlled trial involving 6200 women in South Africa, the microbicide Carraguard was found to be safe for vaginal use, but it . . .
With HPV, One Partner Is Enough
Nearly one third of women aged 18 to 22 tested positive 1 year after becoming sexually active with only one male partner.