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Infectious Disease Updates
Do Gowns Help Prevent Transmission of Respiratory Viruses? How to Assess the ‘Wobble’ in Your IGRA?
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Fecal Microbiota Transplant as First-Line Therapy for Primary C. difficile Infection
In a randomized controlled trial conducted in Norway, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was noninferior to vancomycin for the treatment of primary Clostridioides difficile infection, with 66.7% of patients in the FMT group achieving clinical cure without recurrence compared to 61.2% in the vancomycin group over 60 days of follow-up.
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In Vitro Activity of Newer Antibiotics Against CREs in the United States
The activity of newer beta-lactam/beta-lactamase combination antibiotics depends on the specific type of carbapenemase carried by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales.
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Second BCG Dose to Prevent Tuberculosis in Adolescents
Despite a previous study raising the hope that giving Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine to adolescents who previously had received BCG as newborns would better prevent sustained tuberculosis (TB) infections, a new study conclusively demonstrates that revaccination with BCG during adolescence has no statistically significant effect on the incidence of subsequent TB infection or sustained positivity of interferon gamma receptor assay tests.
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Effects of COVID-19 on Antimicrobial Resistance in U.S. Hospitals
In a retrospective cohort study, researchers found that antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections increased during the COVID-19 pandemic from 182 to 193 per 10,000 hospitalizations. Recent antibiotic exposure, increased illness severity, and comorbidities were associated with AMR infections.
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Contaminated Pediatric Blood Cultures
Falsely positive (contaminated) blood culture samples lead to unnecessary antimicrobial use, excessive testing, prolonged hospitalizations, and increased healthcare costs. In pediatric settings, the greatest risk of blood culture contamination is with infants younger than 1 year of age and with children in emergency department settings.
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Endocrine Causes of Secondary Hypertension
Primary care providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for endocrine-related secondary hypertension, particularly in patients with resistant hypertension or atypical presentations. Conditions such as pheochromocytoma, primary hyperaldosteronism, and Cushing syndrome are common, yet frequently underdiagnosed causes that, if missed, can lead to rapid end-organ damage. This article emphasizes the need for early recognition and diagnostic vigilance, and equips clinicians with guidance to improve diagnostic accuracy and enhance patient outcomes through targeted treatment.
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Hospital Wins Dismissal After Expert Nurse Excluded in Neonatal Injury Suit
In a professional negligence case, an appellate court affirmed summary judgment in favor of a healthcare provider after the plaintiffs failed to present admissible expert evidence on both breach of care and causation.
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Failure to Match Board Certifications Leads to Malpractice Case Dismissal
In a medical malpractice case, an appellate court affirmed the dismissal of a wrongful death claim against a critical care physician because of the plaintiff’s failure to submit a compliant affidavit of merit.
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Telehealth Requires Scrutiny on Standard of Care
Healthcare organizations continue to face potential liability from telehealth issues and must take steps to ensure patients receive quality care no matter the method of delivery.