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Infectious Diseases

Concise physician-authored perspectives on the most clinically relevant original research, guidelines, and new drug and vaccine approvals critical to the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of infectious diseases.

DRUG WATCH

Peramivir for Treatment of 2009 H1N1 Influenza

• November 4, 2009
• Lynn Estes, PharmD

Responding to a CDC request, the FDA authorized the emergency use of this investigational agent in critically ill patients.

• Reviewing:
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2009 Oct 24

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Hepatitis E Outbreak Among Cruise Ship Passengers

• November 4, 2009
• Mary E. Wilson, MD

Overall, 4% of passengers returning from a 3-month world cruise tested positive for recent HEV infection; one third of these individuals had symptomatic hepatitis.

• Reviewing:
• Said B et al. Emerg Infect Dis 2009 Nov; 15:1738

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections of the Cheek

• November 4, 2009
• Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Researchers describe a series of seven children with such infections. Recovery took many months, and clarithromycin did not seem to hasten resolution.

• Reviewing:
• Haimi-Cohen Y et al. J Pediatr 2009 Nov; 155:746

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Children with UTIsFree

• October 28, 2009
• Howard Bauchner, MD
• Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

Prophylaxis was associated with a modest but significant reduction in recurrent UTI.

• Reviewing:
• Craig JC et al. N Engl J Med 2009 Oct 29; 361:1748

DRUG WATCH

Zanamivir (Relenza) Must Not Be Given by NebulizationFree

• October 28, 2009
• Lynn L. Estes, PharmD

Ventilator obstruction was blamed for the death of a woman who received zanamivir inhalation powder that was solubilized and administered by mechanical ventilation.

• Reviewing:
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2009 Oct 9

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Genetic Susceptibility to Fungal Infections

• October 28, 2009
• Thomas Glück, MD

Immunologic and genetic studies in patients with chronic Candida infections revealed the critical roles played by the β-glucan receptor dectin-1 pathway and interleukin-17 release.

• Reviewing:
• Ferwerda B et al. N Engl J Med 2009 Oct 29; 361:1760

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infections: The Surge Continues

• October 28, 2009
• Larry M. Baddour, MD

The incidence of infection is increasing faster than the rate of implantation.

• Reviewing:
• Voigt A et al. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2009 Sep 30

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

HLA-DR Recovery and Risk for Secondary Infections in Sepsis

• October 28, 2009
• Thomas Glück, MD

Slow recovery of depressed HLA-DR was associated with increased risk for secondary infections.

• Reviewing:
• Lukaszewicz A-C et al. Crit Care Med 2009 Oct; 37:2746

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

A Glimmer of Hope for HIV VaccinesFree

• October 22, 2009
• Frances H. Priddy, MD, MPH, and Carlos del Rio, MD
• HIV/AIDS Clinical Care

A large trial has shown that a vaccine can protect against HIV acquisition. The task now is to figure out how to build on this initial success.

• Reviewing:
• Rerks-Ngarm S et al. N Engl J Med 2009 Oct 20

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Surgical Masks or N95 Respirators for the Flu?Free

• October 21, 2009
• Richard T. Ellison III, MD

In a randomized trial, surgical masks and N95 respirators provided healthcare workers with comparable protection against influenza.

• Reviewing:
• Loeb M et al. JAMA 2009 Oct 1

Browse our complete Infectious Diseases archive >>

Editor's Picks from across Journal Watch

Journal Watch Infectious Diseases summarizes important medical journal articles about a wide variety of infectious disease subjects including antibiotic resistance, hepatitis, HIV, influenza, malaria, pneumonia, sepsis, sexually transmitted diseases, and tuberculosis.

Medical NewsRSS

November 6, 2009

Daily Medical News Alert

A Journal Watch E-mail Alert