Infectious Disease Alert – November 1, 2008
November 1, 2008
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Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in Neonates
A retrospective study of all 5,817 neonates (¡Ü 28 days of age) admitted from the Emergency Department to Texas Children's Hospital from 2001 through 2005 found that 8.6% (95% CI, 7.9-9.3%) had documented viral infections (8.4% non-HSV and 0.2% HSV), and 4.6% (95% CI, 4.1-5.2%) had documented serious bacterial infections. -
A Pathogen to Consider More Broadly in Patients with Pneumonia: Legionella
Legionella spp. are gram-negative bacteria found primarily in freshwater environments; they cause disease (including outbreaks) often linked to man-made water systems. -
Autoimmunity in Children Associated with Chronic Minocycline Treatment
Of 583 children < 18 years of age tested for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) at Boston Children's Hospital from 1996 to 2006, 27 children had a history of minocycline administration, with clinical and laboratory findings of autoimmunity. Of these 27 children, 19 were female (70%). -
When is the Best Time to Obtain Blood Cultures from My Potentially Septic Patient?
Many physicians have followed the historical practice of ordering blood cultures to be drawn as close as possible to the time of the peak of the febrile episode (fever spike). -
P. falciparum Malaria in a Man with Sickle Cell Disease, Four Years after Exposure
An 18-year-old man from togo was admitted to a hospital in Sweden with a three-day history of chest, stomach, and back pain, with recurrent episodes of sweating and fever. -
Tuberculosis among Foreign-born Persons in the United States
Cain et al analyzed the cases of tuberculosis that occurred in the United States among foreign-born persons from 2001-2006. -
Updates by Carol Kemper, MD, FACP
An increase in coxsackie b-1 virus (CVB-1) infections was observed in 2007 in the United States, associated with an increase in neonatal cases and multiple deaths. -
Pharmacology Watch: Safety of Inhaled Anticholinergics for COPD Scrutinized
In the Issue: Ongoing safety review of tiotropium; raloxifene reduces the risk of endometrial cancer; one-day treatment with famciclovir may be as effective as 3-day treatment with valacyclovir; new Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians regarding pharmacologic treatment for low bone density and osteoporosis; FDA Actions. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement