Infectious Disease
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The Whole (Genome) Picture: New Tools for Outbreaks
With whole genome sequencing, the chromosome of the bacteria that is common across an outbreak can be broken down in much greater detail.
New Guidelines for the Formidable Challenge of C. Diff
With input from the CDC, the IDSA and SHEA guidelines recommend fecal transplant for recurrent cases, outline new testing strategies, and recommend new first-line antibiotics.
Antibiotic Stewardship Begins at the Bedside
Antibiotic stewardship programs in hospitals have become a critical priority to stave off multidrug-resistant organisms. However, when officials began sounding the alarm about the issue, some infection preventionists — and certainly bedside nurses — felt it wasn't in their sphere of influence.The Quest for Zero: Vanderbilt Awarded APIC Top Honor
Infection control at Vanderbilt has moved well beyond the historical stereotype of the IP crunching numbers in some isolated silo.
Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Online Sex and Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Swingers Come Out; HIV-positive Patients Require Hepatitis B Vaccine
Adjuvanted Recombinant Hepatitis B Vaccine (Heplisav-B)
Heplisav-B is a new hepatitis B vaccine approved by the FDA in November 2017.
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.
Refugee Screening
Screening and potential treatment of refugees prior to travel to the United States effectively reduces the burden of infection.
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.
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.