Infectious Disease Alert – May 1, 2011
May 1, 2011
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Special Feature: Superbugs Keep Coming, but New Antibiotics Do Not
The headlines once again warn of a new superbug threatening mankind. -
Abstract & Commentary: Impact of Prebiopsy Antibiotics on Pathogen Recovery in Vertebral Osteomyelitis
Of 150 patients with hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis, 92 (61%) underwent biopsy 60 (65%) needle and 32 (35%) open. Imaging studies revealed discitis in 75%, vertebral osteomyelitis in 70%, and epidural abscess in 44% of patients. -
Abstract & Commentary: Molecular Diagnosis for Pediatric Parapneumonic Empyema
A study compared culture- and PCR-based bacterial identification methods among 85 children hospitalized at a single medical center with parapneumonic effusion in 2009. -
Abstract & Commentary: Last Doubts Resolved: Artesunate Is Superior to Quinine for the Treatment of Severe Falciparum Malaria
Despite the recent gains achieved by multidisciplinary control programs, malaria still kills nearly 1 million people and causes almost 300 million symptomatic illnesses globally each year, with most of this burden borne by sub-Saharan Africa. -
Special Feature: Linezolid Dosing in Special Populations
Linezolid is an oxazolidinone agent that has been shown to be effective for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). -
Abstract & Commentary: Fever with Thrombocytopenia Associated with a Novel Bunyavirus in China
Due to heightened surveillance of acute febrile illness in China, a severe illness associated with thrombocytopenia and multi-system organ involvement was recognized beginning in 2009. -
Updates By Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP
Exposure to coccidioidomycosis in the laboratory can represent a significant hazard, resulting in serious and even fatal infection. In particular, opening culture plates in the lab, without appropriate precautions, can result in the aerosolization of artificially large numbers of arthroconodia. -
Pharmacology Watch: Tiotropium for COPD — The New Standard?
In this issue: Anticholinergic drugs for COPD; pioglitazone for diabetes prevention; insulin degludec in Phase 3 trials; and FDA Actions. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement