Infectious Disease Alert – August 1, 2019

August 1, 2019

• Isavuconazole vs. Caspofungin for Candidemia

  In a large, randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial, researchers found that isavuconazole did not meet the primary endpoint of noninferiority compared to caspofungin for candidemia and invasive candidiasis.

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• Babesiosis — Increase in Reported Cases in the United States

  The number of cases reported to the CDC from 2011-2015 has increased and there is concern about expansion of the areas in which it is transmitted.

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• Significance of Pyuria in Children With Neurogenic Bladder

  Pyuria is common in asymptomatic children with neurogenic bladders, especially after bladder surgery. The simple presence of pyuria does not necessarily indicate a need for antibiotic treatment.

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• Checkpoint Inhibitors: The First Effective Therapy for Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy?

  Enhancing the immune response with checkpoint inhibitors may be beneficial in the management of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a viral disease previously recalcitrant to therapy.

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• Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole Plus Clindamycin for Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus Endocarditis

  A before-and-after intervention study compared 170 patients treated with either oxacillin IV or vancomycin IV for six weeks (plus gentamicin IV given during the first five days) to 171 patients who were treated with TMP/SMZ IV plus clindamycin IV for the first week followed by TMP/SMZ PO (without clindamycin) to complete a six-week course. Mortality and hospital length of stay were significantly less in the TMP/SMZ-treated patients.

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• Infectious Disease Alert Updates

  Surgeons Really Are Different; Short-Course Atovaquone/Proguanil for Malaria Prophylaxis; The High Cost of Chronic Lyme Treatment

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• Reader Survey Available

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