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A New Expanded Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
The U.S. FDA approved a new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in December of 2014.1 Two HPV vaccines have been available for several years — a bivalent vaccine (HP2) containing L1 protein of the oncogenic types 16 and 18 as well as a quadrivalent vaccine (HP4)containing type 16 and 18 together with types 6 and 11 (which cause genital warts). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recently updated their recommendations for the use of these vaccines:
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Controlling the Spread of Chikungunya Virus: A New Possibility
SYNOPSIS: A phase-1 clinical trial of a virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccine demonstrates safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity against rapidly spreading Chikungunya virus.
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Antiviral Therapy Improves Outcomes in Immunocompromised but Not Immunocompetent HSV Meningitis Patients
SYNOPSIS: A retrospective, observational, single-center study found immunocompromised patients are at increased risk for neurologic sequelae from HSV meningitis and likely benefit from antiviral therapy. There is no benefit to antiviral therapy in immunocompetent individuals.
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Reactive Hemophagocytic Syndrome in Adults
Patients with HPS were more likely to be immunosuppressed.
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Peramivir for Treatment of Influenza
Peramivir (RapivabTM) was recently approved by the FDA for treating acute uncomplicated influenza.
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Paradoxical Low-flow, Low-gradient AS
This article originally appeared in the January 2015 issue of Clinical Cardiology Alert. It was peer reviewed by Susan Zhao, MD. Dr. Crawford is Professor of Medicine, Chief of Clinical Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco. He is the editor of Clinical Cardiology Alert. Dr. Zhao is Director, Adult Echocardiography Laboratory, Associate Chief, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Dr. Crawford and Dr. Zhao report no financial relationships relevant to this field of study.
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Sudden Death Risk: ARBs or ACE Inhibitors & Co-trimoxazole
Older patients using an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker with co-trimoxazole had an increased risk of sudden death.
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Prior Authorization versus Prospective Audit with Provider Feedback: Does the Effectiveness of the Core Antimicrobial Stewardship Strategies Differ?
SYNOPSIS: In a single academic medical center, changing from a strategy of prior authorization to prospective audit with feedback led to significantly increased total antibiotic use and use of agents with a broad spectrum of gram-negative activity.
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Should Long-acting Bronchodilators Be Used in Acute Exacerbations of COPD?
ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: There's a disappointingly high rate of non-recommended drug administration.
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More About Pistachios: Benefits in Cardiometabolic Syndrome
SYNOPSIS: Improvements in some, but not all, lipid parameters were seen by substituting some carbohydrates with two servings of pistachios daily in people with elevated serum LDL cholesterol.