Infectious Disease Topics
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Tuberculosis in the United States in 2017
While the incidence of tuberculosis in the United States in 2017 was the lowest ever recorded, the current rate of decline would be required to almost double to reach the goal of elimination of the disease in this country by the year 2100.
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Extended-pulsed Dosing of Fidaxomicin vs. Standard-dose Vancomycin for Clostridium difficile Infection
A randomized, controlled, open-label clinical trial conducted at 86 European hospitals that included adults aged 60 years or older found that extended-pulsed dosing of fidaxomicin was superior to standard-dose vancomycin for sustained cure of Clostridium difficile infection and resulted in fewer disease recurrences.
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Dealing With Multidrug-resistant Organisms on a National Level: CDC Successes and Problems on the Horizon
CDC efforts, implemented at the local level, have been associated with a modest reduction in the incidences of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae with an ESBL phenotype and a more dramatic reduction in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.
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Planes, Pathogens, and Passengers: Infection Risk During Commercial Air Travel
Although air travel has been linked to transmission of respiratory infections, the actual risk of becoming infected during air travel is low. The risk is greatest, though, when seated within about two seats/rows of a contagious individual. Walking around the cabin increases risk.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Online Sex and Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Swingers Come Out; HIV-positive Patients Require Hepatitis B Vaccine
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Influenza Vaccine: High Dose or Standard Dose?
High-dose inactivated influenza vaccine was superior to standard-dose vaccine in providing protection against influenza or pneumonia-associated hospitalizations.
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Refugee Screening
Screening and potential treatment of refugees prior to travel to the United States effectively reduces the burden of infection.
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SIRS Criteria vs. qSOFA for Predicting Short-term Mortality From Sepsis
A meta-analysis that included 38 studies found the SIRS criteria had a higher sensitivity than qSOFA in predicting short-term mortality from sepsis. SIRS criteria remain useful as a screening tool for sepsis and as a prompt to initiate diagnostic work-up and treatment.
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Neuroimaging Before Lumbar Puncture?
The investigators retrospectively evaluated ESCMIID, IDSA, and Swedish guidelines for neuroimaging in 815 adults with acute bacterial meningitis. Swedish guidelines omit altered mental status and immunosuppression as indications for imaging prior to lumbar puncture. Adherence to Swedish guidelines resulted in decreased mortality and more favorable outcomes.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Food Tray Contamination With MRSA/VRE; Hospital Ice Machines Contaminated With Bacteria; Significance of Toxocara Serologies?