Infectious Disease Alert – November 1, 2019
November 1, 2019
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States — Not a Happy Picture
Since achieving historic lows, the rates of many sexually transmitted infections has been increasing in the United States. The problem is highlighted by the continued emergence of antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
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Strep Testing — We Can Do Better
Testing for streptococcal pharyngitis in children younger than 3 years of age is rarely helpful and results in unnecessary costs. Quality improvement efforts can be effective in systematically reducing non-indicated testing.
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Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Sputum Gram Stains Are Helpful After All!
Researchers analyzed the diagnostic accuracy and yield of sputum Gram stain (SGS) in community-acquired pneumonia across 24 studies of 4,533 adult patients in a meta-analysis. SGS was specific for the diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae infection.
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Staphylococcus aureus Bacteriuria: What Is the Significance?
In a retrospective study from Canada, researchers reported several risk factors for serious Staphylococcus aureus infections, including bacteremia and vertebral osteomyelitis, in patients with S. aureus bacteriuria.
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2019 Community Acquired Pneumonia in Adults Guideline — Not Much New Under the Sun
The 2019 guideline differs from the 2007 version to only a limited extent.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Smarter Use of PICC Lines; Urine Cultures: A Gateway to Antibiotic Overuse; How Can Vancomycin Dosing Be Improved?