Clinical
RSSArticles
-
Effects of Probiotics on Cognition and Fall Risk in Patients With Cirrhosis
Patients with cirrhosis and mild cognitive impairment and falls were randomized to a probiotic formulation vs. placebo. Probiotic treatment improved cognitive outcomes and reduced the risk of falls.
-
Anticonvulsant Prescribing Habits and Declining Teratogenesis: The Changing Landscape of Pregnancy and Epilepsy
These authors analyzed data from a long-standing prospective cohort to study changes in prescribing habits and pregnancy outcomes following restriction on the use of valproic acid in women of child-bearing potential. Declining use of valproate and carbamazepine was associated with a decline in teratogenesis.
-
Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Think You Don’t Smell? One-Fifth of Adults Have a Food Allergy
-
Acute Kidney Injury With Combination Antibiotics in the Critically Ill
In this retrospective study, a short course (24 to < 72 hours) of combination antibiotic therapy with piperacillin-tazobactam and vancomycin was not associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury among critically ill patients when compared with other β-lactam and vancomycin combinations.
-
Cigarette Smoke Increases the Virulence of Staphylococcus aureus
In an experimental study, investigators found cigarette smoke increases the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus strains through several mechanisms, including augmented biofilm formation, increased invasion ability, and persistence within bronchial alveolar cells.
-
Spotted Fever Rickettsioses and Meningoencephalitis
Researchers reviewed 19 cases of meningoencephalitis associated with spotted fever rickettsioses. Fever was present in all cases. Rash was present in 100% of pediatric patients but in only 50% of adult patients. Cerebrospinal fluide pleocytosis was present in 88% of patients. Ninety percent of patients required ICU admission, and only 46% of patients recovered completely.
-
Febrile Urinary Tract Infection in Young Infants — Value of Spinal Fluid Analysis
Practices vary significantly as clinicians evaluate and manage febrile infants younger than 2 months of age. A retrospective review suggests that meningitis is extremely unlikely in well-appearing babies with initial laboratory results suggestive of urinary tract infection, and that cerebrospinal fluid analysis may not be necessary.
-
Urinary Tract Infection With Bacteremia in Young Infants: Duration of Parenteral Therapy
The duration of parenteral antimicrobial therapy for bacteremic urinary tract infection in young infants varies between practitioners and centers. A retrospective review suggests that extending parenteral treatment beyond seven days does not alter outcomes.
-
Vaping and Severe Acute Pneumonitis
As of Aug. 27, 2019, 215 cases of severe pulmonary disease possibly related to vaping have been reported to the CDC. Evidence to date suggests the illness is a form of acute lipoid pneumonia likely related to inhalation of lipid materials. -
Difficult Airway Intubation With Flexible Bronchoscope as a Guide
In this prospective study, use of a flexible bronchoscope as a flexible stylet and a Glidescope to provide visual guidance while intubating patients in the operating room was associated with shorter time to intubation than the use of Glidescope alone.