Bacterial Infections
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Clindamycin Improves Outcomes in Necrotizing Fasciitis Due to Group A Streptococcus
Using a murine model of necrotizing fasciitis, investigators determined that clindamycin inhibits key virulence factors of Group A Streptococcus, and should be given as soon as possible and at high doses to reach levels above MIC in affected tissues.
Vitamin D to Prevent Acute Respiratory Infections?
Vitamin D supplementation is associated with a decreased risk of respiratory infections, especially in those who had low circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
If they’re so difficult to reprocess, why are duodenoscopes approved for surgery?
With all of the difficulties in cleaning duodenoscopes, and the potential for outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, some outpatient surgery managers are questioning why these scopes are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, the benefits outweigh the risks, some sources say.
Culturing protocols devised for duodenoscopes to prevent CRE
Responding to a series of outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) linked to duodenoscopes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed an interim protocol for culturing the devices before use to create a greater margin of safety for patients. But as others have noted, the approach is not foolproof and could be costly if facilities determine that they must purchase more scopes to adopt the protocol.
Anti-Infective Update: No More Xigris®
Xigris® (drotrecogin alfa [activated]), a recombinant form of human activated protein C, received FDA approval in November 2001 for the reduction of mortality in adult patients with severe sepsis with a high risk of death.Updates By Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP
Congenital toxoplasmosis occurs exclusively in infants born to mothers who acquire primary infection during their pregnancy. Unfortunately, many of these infections occur without clinical signs or symptoms, and the mothers go untreated.Abstract & Commentary: Lyme Meningitis in Children with Aseptic Meningitis
A descriptive study enrolled children 2-18 years of age presenting to a pediatric emergency department in Rhode Island during the months of April through December of 2006-2009. Children were enrolled who had pleocytosis, defined as white blood cell count of > 8/mm3 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), in the absence erythema migrans rash, cranial neuropathy, papilledema, a positive Gram stain, antibiotic use within 2 weeks, chronicPharmacology Watch: HPV Vaccine Now Recommended for Males
In this issue: New recommendations for HPV vaccine; guidelines for treatment of essential tremor; updates on smoking cessation drugs; and FDA actions.Special Feature: What’s New in the HIV Treatment Guidelines?
A revision to the Jan. 10, 2011, Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents was published on Oct. 14, 2011.Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement