Infectious Disease
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Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Due to Candida
Prosthetic valve endocarditis due to Candida spp. is associated with high mortality, but is curable — or at least controllable.
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HANDOC: Some Guidance on When to Order Echocardiograms in Patients With Streptococcal Bacteremia
Non-β-hemolytic streptococci (NBHS) are the most common cause of infective endocarditis. In this retrospective study of 399 patients with NBHS bacteremia, 26 patients had endocarditis. HANDOC score (heart murmur, aetiology by specific species of NBHS, number of positive blood cultures, duration of symptoms, only one species in blood culture, and community-acquired infection) was predictive of endocarditis vs. non-endocarditis bacteremia.
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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 Meningitis: A Focused Review
The effectiveness of the current vaccine schedule has led to a significant decline in the incidence of bacterial meningitis. Delays in recognition and antibiotic administration result in increased morbidity and mortality; therefore, clinicians must maintain a high degree of vigilance for the subtle findings of meningitis, particularly in infants. Current standards for selective imaging, diagnostic testing, and empiric antibiotics are discussed.
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What Form of AV Block?
The long lead II rhythm strip shown in the figure was obtained from a hemodynamically stable patient. The rhythm was diagnosed as showing second-degree AV block, Mobitz Type II. Do you agree with that assessment?
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Clinical Briefs
In this section: comparing GLP-1 agonists; weighing two treatments for extended venous thromboembolism; and considering fracture risks possibly associated with inhaled corticosteroids.
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Ibalizumab-uiyk Injection (Trogarzo)
Ibalizumab-uiyk, in combination with other antiretrovirals, is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 in heavily treatment-experienced adults with multidrug-resistant HIV infections failing their current regimens.