Infectious Disease Alert – June 1, 2005
June 1, 2005
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Treatment of Legionnaires Disease
Mykietiuk and colleagues report that 139 (7.2%) of 1934 prospectively evaluated adults without severe immunocompromise admitted over an approximately 8-year period to a university hospital in Barcelona because of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) had evidence of Legionella infection. -
High Rate of Cytomegalovirus Transmission in Breast Milk
Human cytomegalovirus (cmv) shedding in breast milk was prospectively studied in 73 mothers and their 89 preterm infants in Berlin, Germany. Gestational age was 24-33 weeks (median, 28 weeks) and birthweight was 380-2010 g (median, 1,119 g). Feeding was initiated as early as possible, usually by 24-48 hours of life. -
Purpura Fulminans Due to Staphylococcal aureus
Kravitz and colleagues identified 5 cases of purpura fulminans associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area during the period 2000-2004. Three of the patients died, and 2 recovered with significant sequelae. -
Biofilm
Staphylococcus epidermidis continues to be a troublesome pathogen, mainly due to its ability to form biofilms that protect this species and allow it to express unique features that guarantee its survival. The main molecules involved in biofilm formation are under intense study. -
Influenza in Travelers
Mutsch and colleagues prospectively evaluated the incidence of influenza virus infection among 1450 visitors to tropical and subtropical countries who attended the University of Zurich Travel Clinic. -
BOOSTRIX®, TdaP for Adolescents
In the united states, children receive 5 doses of combined tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine between the ages of 2 months and 6 years. While otherwise quite effective, the resultant immunity is transient, so that by the time adolescence is reached, many vaccinees are once again at risk of acquiring infections with Bordetella pertussis. -
Measuring Temperature Postoperatively Appears to Be a Waste of Time
This was a prospective study involving 308 consecutive patients who had surgery, and whose body temperature was measured twice-daily for up to 14 days after surgery. A temperature of > 38°C was considered a positive test result and postoperative infection was diagnosed microbiologically or on clinical grounds as defined by the CDC. -
Diagnosing Intravascular Device Related Bacteremia
Intravascular, device-related bloodstream infection (IDR-BSI) are a major source of morbidity and mortality. An estimated 250,000 infections occur annually in the United States, with an attributable mortality of 12-25%. -
Updates By Carol A. Kemper
On Marh 5, 2005, the Arizona Republic newspaper reported spread of invasive Group A streptococcal infection to a health care worker at the Flagstaff Medical Center, resulting in severe infection requiring hospitalization. -
Pharmacology Watch: Is Nesiritide Associated with a Higher Death Rate?
Stopping Aspirin Before Surgery; The Sponge Returns; Preventing Metabolic Syndrome; FDA Actions -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement