H1N1 Influenza in Pregnant Women
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
H1N1-infected pregnant women appear to be at increased risk for severe disease and death.
Reviewing:
Jamieson DJ et al., Lancet 2009 Aug 8; 374:451
Peginterferon Regimens for Treating HCV Infection: Alfa-2a vs. Alfa-2b
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Efficacy and tolerability were similar between regimens.
CME
Reviewing:
McHutchison JG et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Aug 6; 361:580
Triple-Drug Cocktails for Influenza?
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
In vitro studies showed that a triple-drug combination provided synergistic activity against influenza A virus.
Reviewing:
Nguyen JT et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2009 Jul 20
Artemisinin-Resistant Falciparum Malaria in Cambodia
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Falciparum malaria parasites from patients in Cambodia were significantly more resistant to artemisinin than were those from patients in Thailand.
Reviewing:
Dondorp AM et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jul 30; 361:455
Immune Response to Sporozoite Inoculation by Mosquitoes
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Volunteers exposed to malaria-infected mosquitoes under chloroquine cover did not become parasitemic after later challenge.
Reviewing:
Roestenberg M et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jul 30; 361:468
A Nationwide Campaign in France to Reduce Antibiotic Use
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
The rate of antibiotic prescription was reduced significantly over a 5-year period.
Reviewing:
Sabuncu E et al., PLoS Med 2009 Jun 2; 6:e1000084
Atypical Invasive Aspergillosis Caused by Neosartorya udagawae
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Among 36 cases attributed to A. fumigatus, 4 were caused by N. udagawae ; disease was prolonged, and the infecting organisms demonstrated widespread antifungal resistance.
Reviewing:
Vinh DC et al., Clin Infect Dis 2009 Jul 1; 49:102
Antibiotic Prescribing and Respiratory Infection Outcomes
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Among 3500 patients in 13 European countries, recovery from acute respiratory infections was not affected by whether — or which — antibiotics were given.
Reviewing:
Butler CC et al., BMJ 2009 Jun 23; 338:b2242
Microevolution of P. aeruginosa During CF Lung Infection
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates obtained over time from cystic fibrosis patients show genotypic and phenotypic changes but retain the ability to induce chronic lung infection.
Reviewing:
Bragonzi A et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Jul 15; 180:138
IGRA Variability and the Effect of TST
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Seven days after TST placement, IGRA responses were boosted beyond the defined baseline variability; such boosting persisted for up to 3 months.
Reviewing:
van Zyl-Smit RN et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Jul 1; 180:49
