Infectious Disease Alert – April 1, 2005
April 1, 2005
View Issues
-
Hyper-Virulent HIV — or Just Hype?
On February 11, 2005 the New York City Department of Health sent out a Dear Colleague letter reporting the case of a homosexual man who sustained primary infection with a 3-drug-class-resistant HIV-1 accompanied by rapid CD4+ T cell depletion and progression to AIDS. -
Comparison of Non-Invasive Tests for H. pylori Infection in Children
A multicenter study of 4 non-invasive tests for Helicobacter pylori infection in children and adolescents showed the urea breath test to be the preferred diagnostic test, with the greatest sensitivity among all age groups. -
Update on the Interaction Between Didanosine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate: Focus on Lactic Acidosis and Pancreatitis
The potential for a clinically detrimental interaction between didanosine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DF) has received considerable attention lately in the medical community. Tenofovir DF is a nucleotide analog of adenosine 5-monophosphate, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in October 2001. Didanosine, 1 of 7 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) marketed in the United States, has been implicated as the causative agent significant adverse events such as lactic acidosis/hepatic steatosis, pancreatitis, and peripheral neuropathy. -
Streptokinase in the Management of Empyema: A Randomized Trial
Although streptokinase is widely used in the management of pleural infection, a large, randomized, controlled trial showed no benefit in terms of mortality, need for surgery, or hospital stay. -
Age of Acquisition and Manifestations of HHV6 Infection
HHV6 infection occurred primarily during the first 2 years of life. Most infections were symptomatic, but with nonspecific symptoms. Among 81 children with well-defined time of infection, roseola occurred in only 23%. None of these children had febrile seizures. -
Palifermin and Mucositis Among Patients With Hematologic Malignancies: Closing a Portal of Entry for Bacteria?
Palifermin, a recombinant form of human keratinocyte growth factor, reduced the duration and severity of oral mucositis and the incidence of febrile neutropenia and bacteremia among patients given intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy for hematologic cancers. -
Audio Conference
Is your state next? Laws requiring disclosure of individual hospital infection rates are sweeping the nation. Four statesPennsylvania, Illinois, Florida, and Missourihave passed infection rate disclosure laws, and 20 others have introduced bills. -
Updates By Carol A. Kemper
A major focus of the recent Conference Retrovirus and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Boston in February 2005, was the issue of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in patients with HIV infection. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement
-
Pharmacology Watch: Preparing for the Possibility of a Bird Flu Pandemic
Amoxicillin-Clavulanate vs Ciprofloxacin; AD Therapy and Cognitive Function; LDL Lowering in CHD Patients; FDA Actions