Infectious Disease Topics
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Statin Use Is Associated With a Lower Risk of Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia
A population-based case-control study from Denmark found the use of statins was associated with a decreased risk for community-associated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, with the greatest benefit from higher doses.
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Lyme Disease in the United States — Good News, Bad News
The incidence of Lyme disease appears to have stabilized in states with known high incidences of the infection, but there is evidence of geographic expansion into neighboring states.
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Mumps Vaccine — Third Dose During Outbreaks
Mumps immunity wanes over time, with a notable increase in risk of infection 13 or more years after completion of the currently recommended series of vaccines. During an outbreak of mumps, receipt of an extra (third, by American schedules) vaccine significantly reduces the risk of becoming sick with mumps.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Travelers Unaware of the Need for Pre-travel Vaccinations; Fecal Microbiota Testing; Newer Guidelines for Influenza Testing This Season
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Chikungunya Locally Acquired in Italy and France
An outbreak of autochthonously acquired chikungunya infection has affected 298 individuals as of early October 2017, while a small outbreak also has occurred in southeastern France.
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How Many Personnel Are Required for Antimicrobial Stewardship? More Than You Have at Your Hospital
A work group in the Veterans Administration determined that the necessary staffing of antimicrobial stewardship programs dealing with inpatients (including long-term care) is 1.0 clinical pharmacy specialist with infectious disease knowledge and 0.25 physician (preferably trained in infectious disease) per 100 occupied beds. Needs for outpatient stewardship, which is now mandated, were not included in the assessment.
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Treatment of Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium Infection: Failure Is Common
Current treatment regimens for pulmonary Mycobacterium avium infection leave a great deal to be desired.
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Immunohistochemistry and Diagnosis of Viral Diseases
Researchers reviewed five years of cases at an academic medical center’s pathology department for the use of immunohistochemistry to detect CMV, HSV-1, HSV-2, varicella zoster virus, adenovirus, or polyomavirus. Of 957 cases, 134 were positive. Viral cytopathic effect (CPE) was present on hematoxylin and eosin staining in 75% of the IHC+ cases. No changes in clinical care occurred in any of the IHC+ cases in which viral CPE was absent.
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Mice, Mutations, and Microcephaly: The Evolving Pathogenesis of Congenital Zika Syndrome
Approximately five years ago, a single gene mutation altered Zika virus, making it able to target neuronal progenitor cells and cause what we now know as congenital Zika syndrome with microcephaly and ocular abnormalities.
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Antibiotics and Adverse Events: Doctors, Do No Harm
A retrospective study found that among 1,488 hospitalized patients who received an antibiotic, 298 (20%) experienced at least one antibiotic-associated adverse drug event. Furthermore, 287 (19%) of the antibiotic regimens were not clinically indicated, and 56 (20%) of these were associated with an adverse drug event.