Infectious Disease Alert – February 1, 2004
February 1, 2004
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Adjunct Dexamethasone Therapy for Hematogenous Suppurative Arthritis
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of short-course dexamethasone therapy as an adjunct to antimicrobial therapy was conducted among children 3 months to 11 years of age with hematogenous suppurative arthritis in Costa Rica from 1998 to 2000. -
Treatment of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: Longer Is Not Better
Antibiotic administration for only 8 days to patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia was not inferior to 15 days of therapy. -
Do Isolation Precautions for MRSA Compromise Patient Care?
As determined by process of care measurement, adverse event occurrence, and patient satisfaction, quality of care is compromised by infection control procedures. -
A Comeback for Colistin?
The 50-year-old drug colistin was used successfully in 14 of 23 cases of serious infections caused by multiply resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa . -
ICAAC/IDSA/ASTMH 2003
The following summary of selected abstracts from 3 meetings will be published in multiple parts. The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) met in Chicago September 14-17, 2003. The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) met in San Diego October 9-12, 2003. The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene met in Philadelphia December 3-7, 2003. -
Updates
The Softer Side of Fluoroquinolones; Cycloserine for Phobics?; 115-Year-Old Smallpox Scabs A Literary Find; Positive PPDs Due to M marinum Infection; Cost-Effectiveness of Influenza Treatment -
Pharmacology Watch: Valacyclovir Reduces Genital Herpes Transmission
A once-a-day dose of a valacyclovir reduces the rate of transmission of genital herpes (HSV-2) from an infected partner to an uninfected susceptible partner, according to a new study. The study group included 1484 immunocompetent, heterosexual, monogamous couples in which 1 partner had symptomatic genital HSV-2 and the other was susceptible to HSV-2. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement