Infectious Disease Topics
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Ventilator-associated Pneumonia with Minimal Ventilatory Requirements — Discontinuing Antibiotics After Three Days
Discontinuation of empiric antibiotic therapy given for treatment of presumed ventilator-associated pneumonia can be discontinued safely after three days in patients with minimal ventilator requirements.
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Decreasing Malaria Mortality in Africa
Malaria mortality in Africa has decreased by approximately 57% during the past 15 years, but some areas still have low level use of bed nets, low coverage with antimalarial medication, and higher death rates due to malaria. At the same time, anti-malarial measures are still important for individuals traveling to endemic areas.
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A Short Course of Antibiotics for Acute Otitis Media in Children Leads to Worse Outcomes Compared to Standard Course Therapy
A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial determined that in children 6-23 months of age with acute otitis media, five days of amoxicillin-clavulanate resulted in more clinical failure compared to a 10-day course of therapy.
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Intrauterine Zika Virus Infection — Not Just Microcephaly at Birth
Manifestations of intrauterine Zika infection may not be clinically apparent at birth, warranting the use of early neuroimaging and careful follow-up.
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Zika Virus and Risk of Congenital Abnormalities
Two recent studies clarify the substantial risk of congenital abnormalities following maternal Zika virus infection. The risk is highest in the first trimester of pregnancy, and appears similar following symptomatic and asymptomatic maternal infection.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Dental Care May Reduce Risk of Pneumonia; Stop Kissing Your Chickens; Blood Safety and Global Infections
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Cefpodoxime proxetil (Vantin®)
Cefpodoxime is an oral third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that was FDA-approved in 1998 for the treatment of various mild to moderate susceptible infections.
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Diabetes and Vitamin C Deficiency May Be Common
Low levels of vitamin C were noted in seven of 11 patients with diabetes, including six of seven with lower extremity ulcers. Vitamin C repletion appeared to help heal these ulcers.
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Cryptosporidiosis in India — and in Your Community Swimming Pool?
Almost all children in some parts of India have at least one Cryptosporidium infection during the first three years of life.
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Antibiotic Stewardship in Outpatient Settings
The implementation of antibiotic stewardship principles in all outpatient settings is crucial to the struggle against growing antimicrobial resistance and to optimal patient outcomes.