Infectious Disease Alert
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Malaria in the United States
The number of cases of imported malaria in the United States continues to increase, with most cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum and most of the infections acquired in Africa, particularly West Africa. Almost three-fourths of U.S. residents with malaria had failed to take chemoprophylaxis and the remaining one-fourth often did not take recommended medications.
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Malassezia restricta as a Cause of Culture-Negative Infective Endocarditis
The authors of a retrospective study from France used DNA detection methods to assess the microbial etiologies of 16 cases of culture-negative infective endocarditis. They identified three cases of Malassezia restricta, a yeast considered a member of the human skin microbiota. Notably, serologic testing cross-reacted between M. restricta and Candida albicans.
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Mumps in Vaccinated Children
Recent mumps outbreaks in the United States have involved vaccinated individuals without international travel. The genotype of the mumps virus circulating in North America and Europe is different than that of the virus used to manufacture the attenuated vaccine used in the United States.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Risk of COVID-19 During Air Travel; Symptoms Post-COVID: Loss of Taste in One in Seven; Effectiveness of Cloth and Surgical Masks Against SARS-CoV-2.
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Missing the Diagnosis of Congenital Syphilis
The diagnosis of congenital syphilis was delayed until the post-neonatal period in 2.2% of infants born in the United States from 2014-2018.
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An Outbreak of Injection Site Mycobacterium porcinum Infections After Vaccination in the Workplace
Vaccine (non-COVID-19) contamination as a result of improper handling led to injection site infections due to Mycobacterium porcinum, a rapid growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium present in the environment.
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Fluvoxamine Reduces the Risk for Hospitalization from COVID-19
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial found fluvoxamine (100 mg twice a day for 10 days) reduced the risk for hospitalization among high-risk outpatients diagnosed with COVID-19.
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Melioidosis in the United States
Four cases of melioidosis in four states occurred and at least one was traced to a contaminated commercial aromatherapy product.
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Pediatric Pneumonia — Diagnostic and Therapeutic Stewardship
A randomized, multicentered trial in the United Kingdom and Ireland showed children receiving amoxicillin for community-acquired pneumonia perform similarly well with lower dose (35-50 mg/kg/day vs. 75-90 mg/kg/day) and shorter duration (three vs. seven days) treatments.
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Surviving Sepsis 2021 Update
Some of the important changes include clearer differentiation of sepsis vs. septic shock and, for numerous recommendations, changing the strength and quality of evidence to support many.