Infectious Disease Alert
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Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Meningitis in Adults
The incidence of herpes simplex virus 2 meningitis in adults in Denmark over a six-year period was 0.7/100,000 population per year, with 91% of cases occurring in the absence of immunocompromise. Neurocognitive or neuropsychiatric symptoms persisted for as long as six months in approximately one-fifth of cases.
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Optimism for New Interventions to Prevent Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections
Previous vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus infection in children caused more harm than good. However, new vaccines and preventive monoclonal antibody treatments are nearing final stages of prelicensure testing.
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Successful Post-Discharge Completion of Fidaxomicin Therapy Without Financial Toxicity
Post-discharge completion of fidaxomicin therapy was achieved for most patients with multidisciplinary proactive intervention.
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Active Cancer and Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia Is Associated with Less Risk for Infective Endocarditis
A multicenter cohort study found patients with S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) and active cancer were at a lower risk for infective endocarditis (IE) than those with SAB without cancer. Persistent bacteremia and cardiomyopathy were independent risk factors for IE.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Prevents Systemic Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C)
The estimated effectiveness of two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the prevention of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children was 91%.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Is Life-Saving
This study confirms the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing severe outcomes between the end of 2020 and October 2021 (i.e., pre-omicron). Age, immunosuppression, and chronic disease were independent risk factors. In contrast to previous studies largely involving unvaccinated individuals, male sex and race/ethnicity were not.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Candida auris Outbreak in Southern California; Healthcare Worker Vaccine Mandates
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Infections Before Age 20 Years Increase the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis
The relationship between childhood infections and the risk of multiple sclerosis is supported by mounting evidence. Using the Swedish Total Population Register, researchers found patients diagnosed with infection in adolescence showed a higher risk of multiple sclerosis, even after exclusion of infectious mononucleosis, pneumonia, and central nervous system infection.
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Screening and Diagnosis of Chagas Disease in the United States
Chagas disease is an important public health problem in the United States. An expert panel has made a series of specific recommendations for screening for and diagnosis of Chagas disease in at-risk groups.
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Treatment of Severe Plasmodium falciparum Malaria with Intravenous Artesunate
A prospective nationwide study in France found intravenous artesunate use was rapidly adopted by clinicians and was safe and highly effective in the treatment of severe malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum.