Articles Tagged With: infection
-
Pregnant, Influenza-Infected, and Hospitalized
Almost one-third of women ages 15-44 years hospitalized with influenza were pregnant and almost 5% required intensive care.
-
Identifying Community-Acquired Pneumonia During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Pneumonia is an infection of the alveoli of the lungs. Alveolar infection results in inflammation that disrupts normal pulmonary function, producing impaired gas exchange. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Pathogens can infect the lung parenchyma through three routes: inhalation, aspiration, or hematogenous spread. In community-acquired pneumonia, the infection is initiated outside the hospital. The prevalence of COVID-19, the clinical disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has changed the landscape of pneumonia.
-
Rifampin and Prosthetic Joint Infections
In patients with prosthetic joint infection, no modifiable surgical or antibiotic factors were independently associated with success or failure. Factors not associated with outcomes include the extent of debridement, exchange of mobile parts, use of rifampin or of ciprofloxacin, and duration of intravenous or oral antibiotic administration.
-
Infections Before Age 20 Years Increase the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis
Researchers found patients diagnosed with infection in adolescence were at higher risk for multiple sclerosis, even after exclusion of infectious mononucleosis, pneumonia, and central nervous system infection.
-
Intravenous Iron: Does This Therapy Increase the Risk of Infection?
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, among all populations, intravenous iron was associated with a slight increased risk of infection (relative risk, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.31) compared to oral iron or no iron. However, there was no difference in mortality or length of hospital stay.
-
Infections Before Age 20 Years Increase the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis
The relationship between childhood infections and the risk of multiple sclerosis is supported by increasing evidence. Using the Swedish Total Population Register, researchers found that patients diagnosed with infection in adolescence showed an increased risk of multiple sclerosis, even after exclusion of infectious mononucleosis, pneumonia, and central nervous system infection.
-
TSPO PET Imaging for Monitoring Natalizumab-Associated Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
Authors of a recent study evaluated inflammatory activity in multiple sclerosis patients who developed natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) using translocator protein positron emission tomography (TSPO PET) for imaging of microglia. They demonstrated that TSPO PET can monitor PML longitudinally.
-
Genetic Research Suggests a ‘Superspreader’ in Provincetown
Was the large COVID-19 outbreak in Provincetown, MA, in July 2021 a superspreader event? The question remains inconclusive, but genetic evidence in new preprint research strongly signals a superspreader type event.
-
Bacillus cereus Causing an Anthrax-Like Pneumonia
Bacillus cereus group organisms may cause a rapidly fatal pulmonary infection consistent with anthrax.
-
Misdiagnosis of Infection Leads to Injuries and $500,000 Award
This case presents interesting lessons in both substance of medical malpractice cases and in procedures for resolving allegations of medical malpractice. On the substance, the primary issues in this case revolved around the delayed diagnosis: whether the delay fell below the applicable standard of care, and whether the delay directly caused the patient’s injuries. A patient alleging medical malpractice has the burden of demonstrating both of these elements, among others.