Infectious Disease Alert 2010-09-01

Community Acquisition of Clostridium difficile Is It What We Eat?

A recent report described a fatal case of community-acquired C. difficile diarrhea (CDAD) in a patient receiving antibiotics for a questionable diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease.

Antibiotic Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Infants

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of infants < 6 months of age hospitalized with urinary tract infections between 1999 and 2004 at 24 children's hospitals in the United States.

Colistin Dosing in Renally Impaired Patients

Colistin (Ppolymyxin E) was isolated from bacillus colistinus 60 years ago and, during the 1960s, a new intravenous formulation (Coly-Mycin M Parenteral) became available for use in clinical practice.

Airborne spread of Pneumocystis jirovecii

Using liquid medium with a commercial air sampler, air was sampled at varying distances from 19 patients admitted to the hospital with Pneumocystis pneumonia. Samples were examined and DNA quantified using a real-time PCR assay targeting the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene.

Is MRSE the Source of MRSA?

Nasal carriage of mr-cons was prospectively investigated in 291 adults upon hospital admission.

Transmission of Yellow Fever Vaccine Virus: Blood Products and Breast-feeding

In March 2009, 89 active-duty u.s. trainees received yellow fever (YF) vaccination as part of standard preparation for potential travel to sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America.

Schistosomiasis Treatment Failures with Single-dose Praziquantel

A retrospective observational study was conducted on 30 individuals from a possible 49 persons who were treated for schistosomiasis between 2003 and 2008 at Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark.

Updates by Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP

This subset analysis from a larger prospective, multicenter HIV-HCV coinfection treatment trial found that patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in combination with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin for HCV were at greater risk for lactic acidosis and hyperlactatemia than those receiving HCV treatment alone.

Pharmacology Watch: Weight-loss Drug Effective Without Cardiac Side Effects?

In this issue: Lorcaserin submitted for FDA review, FDA advisory panel votes against phentermine/topiramate, mixed vote on rosiglitazone, advisory panel votes to remove breast cancer indication from bevacizumab labeling, no increase in seizures found with DTaP vaccine, new REMS for quinine.

Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement

Infectious Disease Alert – September 1, 2010

September 1, 2010