Infectious Disease
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Beta-lactam Antibiotics May Be Useful in MRSA Infection
Using several in vitro assays and animal models, it was shown that oxacillin-treated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains are attenuated in virulence. The effect is mediated by repression of accessory gene regulatory quorum-sensing system and altered cell wall architecture.
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Treatment of Chronic Fatigue/Myalgic Encephalitis Syndrome: Blocking the IL-1 Component to the Inflammatory Response Is Ineffective
Blockade of IL-1 activity with anakinra failed to reduce fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
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Echinococcosis — Who Cares, and What’s New?
Echinococcosis continues to cause significant disease in much of the world, and a new form is emerging in Latin America. Combinations of medical, procedural, and surgical treatment usually are effective, but long-term albendazole may be required.
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Restricting Fluoroquinolone Use Reduces Clostridium difficile Infection More Than Infection Control Methods
An observational study from England showed that restricting fluoroquinolone use reduced incidence of Clostridium difficile infection more than would be predicted by improved infection control methods alone.
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TB in the United States: Better, but Still a Long Way to Go
The incidence of tuberculosis in the United States continues to decrease, but not at a rate sufficient to achieve elimination during this century.
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Medical Treatment of Acute Appendicitis in Children
A meta-analysis demonstrated a 90.5% success rate of medical treatment compared to appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis in children 5-15 years of age. There was a nearly nine-fold higher risk of failure with antibiotic treatment, indicating that appendectomy remains the standard of care.
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As Patients Leave With IV Antibiotics in Tow, How Can We Prevent Infections in the Home?
With fiscal pressures to discharge patients to home care, many leave the hospital with an invasive device attached. That includes central venous catheters for patients to self-administer IV antibiotics in their homes.
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Flu Vaccination Reduces Mortality in Pediatric Patients
In findings that should give pause to parents declining to immunize their children for flu out of misplaced fear of vaccine safety, researchers have found evidence that flu shots in pediatric patients can be literally lifesaving.
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TB Is Down but Not Out
Transmission of tuberculosis within healthcare settings is rarely reported. However, the disease endures, and the potential for disruptive unsuspected cases or healthcare workers developing active disease requires continued vigilance.
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Put Pediatric Dental Outbreaks on the Radar
Infection preventionists consulting with dental practices or doing community outreach should be aware of reports of invasive Mycobacterium abscessus infections among children following pulpotomy dental procedures sometimes termed “baby root canals.”