Infectious Disease Alert – March 1, 2007
March 1, 2007
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HIV Genotyping of Chronically Infected Patients
This study from the excellent group at University of California in San Diego had standard population-based HIV genotyping performed on plasma obtained from all antiretroviral (ARV)-naïve patients who received care in publicly funded clinics in San Diego County during the 2005 calendar year. -
MRSA Decolonization
In an open label study, hospitalized adults with MRSA colonization at one or more sites were randomized (3:1) to attempted decolonization or no treatment. Treatment consisted of 7 days of bathing with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate, together with application of 2% mupirocin ointment to the anterior nares 3 times daily and administration of rifampin (300 mg twice daily) and doxycycline (100 mg twice daily). -
More Evidence of Vancomycin Impotence
A number of retrospective studies have provided evidence that, relative to therapy with semisynthetic penicillins such as nafcillin, vancomycin is inferior in the treatment of bactermic infections due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). -
Relationship of HCV Infection to Mortality In Families
This interesting study from Denmark used data from the comprehensive Danish Civil Registration System to examine mortality in siblings of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, HIV-monoinfected patients, and controls. -
Fever, Rash, and Severe Arthralgias in Travelers Returning from India
A 56-year-old man, originally from India and with a history of hypertension, had developed bilateral red, swollen ankles while on a recent trip to Bangalore. Five days later, the patient developed severe fever and shaking chills that resolved within 48 hrs. -
Update on Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Menactra® Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
In October of 2005, the first reports of 5 cases and the possible association of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and recipients of Menactra® Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) were reported. -
Preventing Nosocomial Infection in Cardiac Surgery by Topical Oro-Nasal Decontamination
Segers and colleagues of the University of Amsterdam conducted this randomized, double-blind clinical trial at a 480-bed community hospital that performs 1200 cardiac surgical procedures annually. -
Updates By Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP
In patients with M. Tuberculosis infection, the emergence of chromosomally mediated resistance to INH is a stochastic process, meaning it is the sum of the product of the spontaneous mutation rate (10-6) and the total bacterial load. -
Pharmacology Watch: Higher HDL Cholesterol in Statin Therapy, Key to Slowing Atherosclerosis?
Citalopram Useful for Depression in CDA Patients; When to Stop Anticoagulation Before Surgery?; Drug Warnings: Ranibizumab and Bevacizumab; Growth Hormone Treatment, More Harm Than Good; FDA Actions -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement