Clinical
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Arboviral Infections in the United States — Not Just West Nile
West Nile virus accounted for 95% of arbovirus infections in 2013 reported to CDC, with the majority causing neuroinvasive disease.
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Serum Chloride Level Predicts Mortality in Acute Heart Failure
The association between serum sodium level and outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure is well-established.
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Treatment of Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A Brief Narrative Summary of the New IDSA Recommendations
A new IDSA guideline has recommendations providing best expert advice on management of native vertebral osteomyelitis.
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Community-acquired Pneumonia Requiring Hospitalization in Adults
An active population-based surveillance of community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization in adults 18 years of age and older was conducted in five hospitals in Chicago and Nashville. -
Clostridium difficile Infection — Back to the Future
This study provides strong evidence that the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (as opposed to colonization) should be made on the basis of evidence of toxin production, not the mere presence of the organism as detected by glutamate dehydrogenase testing or the presence of toxin genes.
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Intestinal Fibrosis and Immune Reconstitution in Patients with HIV Infection
Duodenal biopsies in patients naïve to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) underwent tissue staining and were examined. Intestinal myofibroblast activation was correlated with intestinal fibrotic changes and poor immune reconstitution following cART.
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Idarucizumab: A Promising New Drug that Reverses the Anticoagulant Effects of Dabigatran
Several new oral anticoagulants are changing the approach to anticoagulation for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary emboli.
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Chagas — Multifaceted Approach Needed
Prolonged recurrent exposure to Trypanosoma cruzi leads to an increased risk of inflammatory cardiomyopathy, but to decreased congenital transmission of T. cruzi. As housing and vector control improve, concurrent attention to early treatment is needed in order to reduce both cardiomyopathy and congenital infection.
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Optimal Duration of Anticoagulation for Unprovoked Pulmonary Embolism
The PADIS-PE study is a randomized, double-blind trial of adult patients with a first episode of unprovoked PE that seeks to better define the appropriate duration of therapy.
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Procalcitonin and Differentiating Bacterial from Viral Meningitis
ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: A meta-analysis found an elevated serum procalcitonin to be an accurate test. Details inside.