Hospital Medicine Alert – February 1, 2017
February 1, 2017
View Issues
-
Fecal Transplant vs. Oral Vancomycin Taper for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection
In a small randomized, controlled trial that compared fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) administered by enema to a six-week oral vancomycin taper, FMT was not more effective for patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. -
Bezlotoxumab Injection (Zinplava)
The FDA has approved a selective, fully human monoclonal antibody directed at Clostridium difficilie toxin B. Binding of toxin B neutralizes its toxic effect. Bezlotoxumab is marketed as Zinplava.
-
Early Initiation of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy May Reduce Mortality in Patients Who Require Dialysis
Initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy for patients with Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes stage 2 renal failure reduced 90-day all-cause mortality.
-
Zika Virus Infection and Guillain-Barré Syndrome: The Evidence Grows
A recent Zika outbreak in Colombia was associated with a significant increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) rates, with laboratory evidence of definite or probable Zika infection in more than half of the GBS cases.
-
Sacubitril/Valsartan Associated with Reduced Risk of Hyperkalemia
\In a secondary analysis of the PARADIGM-HF trial, the risk of severe hyperkalemia in heart failure patients taking a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist was lower among patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan compared to those receiving enalapril.