Infectious Disease Alert – September 1, 2009
September 1, 2009
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The Impact of Varicella Vaccination on Herpes Zoster in Children
A population-based telephone survey was conducted among residents < 20 years of age in Antelope Valley, CA, from 2000 through 2006. During this period, 459 evaluable cases of herpes zoster among persons < 20 years of age were reported. -
HIV Susceptibility Testing and Survival
HOPS is an ongoing prospective, observational cohort study of HIV-infected patients at 10 participating HIV clinics in the United States. A total of 2,699 patients with HIV RNA > 1,000 copies/uL were seen from 1999-2005. Demographic characteristics, clinical factors, and GPT use were correlated with all-cause mortality. -
Stepped-dose Efavirenz Reduces the Incidence of Neuropsychiatric AEs
Patients eligible for EFV-based haart (EFV plus two nucleoside RT inhibitors) were randomized to EFV in an escalating dose over two weeks vs. standard 600 mg/d dosing. NPAEs and sleep quality were assessed by questionnaires over the first 30 days of therapy. -
Hearing Loss and Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection
A prospective study of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was conducted in two hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil, from 2003 to 2007 in a maternal population with high seroprevalence to CMV. -
Resurrection of an Old Technology (Sonication): Is Prosthetic Joint Failure Due to Infection?
The case is typical. the patient had a hip replacement eight years ago and, over the past six months, the hip has begun to hurt, walking is impaired, and the patient is becoming less mobile. The hip must be replaced. But is it infected? -
Vancomycin Loading Doses in Morbidly Obese Patients
In January 2009, the publication of an updated vancomycin monitoring guideline1 gave clinicians a set of recommendations on: 1) timing of monitoring, 2) optimal trough concentration, 3) dosing to achieve optimal trough concentrations, 4) loading doses for complicated infections, 5) criteria for monitoring, and 6) frequency of monitoring. -
Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect: Reducing Catheter-related Bacteremia Using Simulation-based Training
In order to reduce the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in intensive care units, Northwestern Memorial Hospital implemented patient care bundles in all ICUs in August 2005. -
Updates by Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP
Neuropsychiatric side effects and sleep disturbances are among the more prominent and limiting features of efavirenz (EFV) therapy for HIV infection. -
Pharmacology Watch: Tamoxifen, SSRIs, and Breast Cancer Recurrence
In this issue: Tamoxifen and CYP2D6 inhibitors, FDA Actions, and FDA Warnings. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement