Infectious Disease Alert – January 1, 2005
January 1, 2005
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Risk of Community-Acquired Pneumonia and Use of Gastric Acid-Suppressive Drugs
In a survey of 365,000 records of patients followed by general practitioners in Holland for at least 1 year during a 7-year period, 5551 incident cases of pneumonia developed. Users of acid suppression, particularly proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), had a 4.5 fold increased unadjusted risk of pneumonia, compared to untreated controls. -
Risk of Clostridium difficile Diarrhea Among Hospital Inpatients Prescribed Proton Pump Inhibitors
Dial and colleagues point out that Clostridium difficile is the most common form of nosocomial infectious diarrhea in the Western world, apparently increasing in frequency, severity, and consequential health care costs (more than $1 billion in the United States annually). -
The Re-emergence of Wild Poliovirus in Africa
Wild poliovirus (WPV) was imported into 8 countries that were previously felt to be polio-free in west Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Togo) and Central Africa (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad) from January 2003 to March 2004. -
Rabies Infections in Organ Donor and Transplant Recipients
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed the diagnosis of rabies in 4 recipients of transplanted organs and their common donor. All 4 transplant recipients presented with rapidly progressive encephalitis within 21 to 27 days after receiving their transplant and all subsequently died. -
Dying of Malaria in the United States
All 165 cases of malaria-related deaths in the United States reported to the National Malaria Surveillance System from 1963 to 2001 were reviewed. Two-thirds occurred in US travelers, and 92.7% of deaths were due to Plasmodium falciparum infection. -
Pharmacology Update: Abacavir Sulfate and Lamivudine Tablets (Epzicom)
The FDA has approved a combination of 2 antiretrovirals, abacavir and lamivudine, for the treatment of HIV-1 infections. Each tablet contains 600 mg of abacavir and 300 mg of lamivudine for once daily administration. The combination is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as Epzicom. -
Pharmacology Update: Tinidazole tablets (Tindamax )
The FDA has approved a 5-nitroimidazole for the treatment of trichomoniasis, giardiasis, and amebiasis. Tinidazole, a second-generation nitroimidazole antiprotozoal agent, is marketed as Tindamax by Presutti Laboratories. -
Updates by Carol A. Kemper
Amazing Teen Survives Rabies; India, Genetics, and HIV; Illicit Botox Products; Sharing Your MRSA With Your Pet; Could Sepsis Respond to Nicotine? -
Pharmacology Watch: Hypertension: Therapy vs Calcium Channel Antagonists
GEMINI Trial; CAMELOT Trial; INVEST Trial; The Dangers of Vitamin E; FDA Actions. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement