Infectious Disease Alert 2006-02-01

Update on Moxifloxacin (Avelox): New Indications

Since the fda approval of moxifloxacin in December 1991 for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, and uncomplicated skin/skin structure infections, its indications for use has been expanded to include the treatment of complicated skin/skin structure infections and complicated intra-abdominal infections.

Diabetic Foot Infections: Culture Results from Bone Biopsy and Swab Specimens

This study from a single diabetic foot clinic in France involved a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent surgical percutaneous bone biopsy with culture for microbiologic diagnosis of osteomyelitis. Patients included for study were those who had not received either local or systemic antibiotics for at least 4 weeks prior to cultures being obtained.

Napoleon, Typhus, and Trench Fever

In the autumn of 2001, construction workers in the Siaures Miestalis (Northern Town) section of Vilnius uncovered a mass grave containing several thousand neatly stacked skeletons, most in a fetal position.

Putting on Hold Orders to "Hold the Blood Cultures"

Beginning in 1995, a remarkably extensive blood culture protocol was established at Stanford University Hospital for use in patients with fever of unknown origin or suspected endocarditis. This included the use of an average of almost 90 mL of blood from patients obtained by several venipunctures.

Abacavir/Tenofovir- and Didanosine/Tenofovir- Containing Antiretroviral Regimens

The first article reports the results of an industry-sponsored clinical trial comparing TDF/ABC/3TC vs EFV/ABC/3TC in treatment-naïve patients. Three hundred forty patients were randomized. Baseline characteristics, including CD4 count and HIV RNA level were similar between the arms.

Updates by Carol A Kemper

The Clinton Foundation announced the successful conclusion of negotiations with several pharmaceutical companies to provide lower cost HIV testing and treatment to poorer countries. Four companies3 from India and 1 from South Africa have agreed to provide nevirapine and abacavir (at $USD 240 and $447 per patient per year, respectively), provided that certain conditions are met on an ongoing basis.

Pharmacology Watch: Letrozole for Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer

Do Antidepressants Increase Risk of Suicide?; Can Viagra Improve Heart Function?; A Dramatic Increase of Clostridium difficile; FDA Actions

Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement

Infectious Disease Alert – February 1, 2006

February 1, 2006