Infectious Disease Alert – December 15, 2002

December 15, 2002

• Corticosteroids and Adult Meningitis

  Adjunctive therapy with dexamethosone, initiated immediately before or with the first dose of antibiotic, significantly improved outcomes in adults with pneumococcal meningitis.

  Read more

• Group A Streptococcal Infection: An Occupational Hazard for Health Care Workers

  A patient with group A streptococcal respiratory and soft tissue infection was the source of an outbreak involving 24 health care workers.

  Read more

• MRSA & PVL: A Nasty Package

  A clonally related strain of S aureus that produces the Panton-Valentine leukocidin associated with severe cutaneous and pulmonary infections has been detected in a number of regions of France.

  Read more

• Atopic Dermatitis: No Defensins Against S aureus

  Skin affected by atopic dermatitis fails to express antimicrobial peptides, possibly accounting for the almost universal presence of S aureus in these lesions.

  Read more

• Helicobacter pylori Infection

  Helicobacter pylori is an exceedingly common inhabitant of the human stomach. The discovery of its role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease was revolutionary, but many questions remain about this organism and an appropriate medical approach to its presence.

  Read more

• Pharmacology Update: Adefovir (Hepsera) for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

  The FDA has recently approved adefovir dipivoxil for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection in adults.

  Read more