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This interesting report written by an ID Fellow at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) describes 3 cases of Q fever in deployed (or recently redeployed) soldiers serving in Iraq.
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An outbreak of dengue-like illness that began in May, 2007, on Yap, one of the Carolina islands of the Federated States of Micronesia, proved to be due to Zika virus.
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The diagnosis and treatment of severe forms of malaria is an emergent matter. However, the microscopic diagnosis of malaria requires skill and experience and the availability of capable personnel at all hours of the day and night is becoming increasingly problematic in U.S. hospitals.
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Among 561 patients diagnosed with malignancy from 1993-2003 in the Northern Alberta Childrens Cancer Program, infectious diseases consultation was initially requested for 21 children (<15 years of age) a median of 7 days (range, 0-32 days) prior to definitive diagnosis.
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A second, orally active, endothelin receptor (ET) antagonist has been approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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Ambulatory oxygen probably should not be routinely prescribed for patients with COPD who do not have a stable, resting arterial PaO2 less than 55 mm Hg.
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Adding an anticoagulant to aspirin is of no value in patients with peripheral artery disease, older adults with coronary disease benefit from aggressive statin therapy, simvastatin may reduce the risk of dementia and Parkinson's disease by as much as 50%, MiraLax is safe for long-term use in patients with chronic constipation, the FDA green-lights Avandia, brings back Zelnorm for limited use, and recommends approving Evista for breast cancer prevention.
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12-lead ECG obtained from an 81-year old woman with new onset heart failure, but no chest pain.
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Currently prevailing scientific opinion denies any relationship between diet and acne: teenagers throughout the land rejoice over their freedom to eat as much pizza, popcorn, chocolate, and soda (the four food groups from age 14-20) as they wish. But the last word may not yet be in.
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Fully 95% of serum thyrotropin (TSH) measurements were normal in screening tests ordered by primary care physicians. Half of abnormal TSH labs became normal upon repeat measurement. If the initial TSH result was normal, there was only a 2% chance it would become abnormal within 5 years.
