Infectious Disease Alert – February 1, 2015
February 1, 2015
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Peramivir for Treatment of Influenza
Peramivir (RapivabTM) was recently approved by the FDA for treating acute uncomplicated influenza.
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Reactive Hemophagocytic Syndrome in Adults
Patients with HPS were more likely to be immunosuppressed.
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Antiviral Therapy Improves Outcomes in Immunocompromised but Not Immunocompetent HSV Meningitis Patients
SYNOPSIS: A retrospective, observational, single-center study found immunocompromised patients are at increased risk for neurologic sequelae from HSV meningitis and likely benefit from antiviral therapy. There is no benefit to antiviral therapy in immunocompetent individuals.
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Controlling the Spread of Chikungunya Virus: A New Possibility
SYNOPSIS: A phase-1 clinical trial of a virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccine demonstrates safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity against rapidly spreading Chikungunya virus.
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A New Expanded Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
The U.S. FDA approved a new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in December of 2014.1 Two HPV vaccines have been available for several years — a bivalent vaccine (HP2) containing L1 protein of the oncogenic types 16 and 18 as well as a quadrivalent vaccine (HP4)containing type 16 and 18 together with types 6 and 11 (which cause genital warts). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recently updated their recommendations for the use of these vaccines:
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Infectious Disease [ALERT] Updates
Treatment of C. Diff. — follow the guidelines. Semi roll-over causes Cryptosporidiosis Antibiotics prescribed from decision-fatigue? -
Influenza, 2014-2015 — Something Old, Something New
As of early January, influenza activity had reached epidemic proportions in large parts of the United States, with many of those being affected despite prior vaccination.1 The occurrence of infection in vaccinated individuals is not unexpected since influenza vaccine efficacy is usually only approximately 60%.