Infectious Disease Alert – November 1, 2009
November 1, 2009
View Issues
-
Oral Lactoferrin Supplementation to Prevent Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis
A prospective, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted of oral supplementation of bovine lactoferrin (BLF) alone or in combination with the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) to reduce the incidence of late onset sepsis (> 72 hours after birth) in very low birth-weight (VLBW) (< 1,500 g) newborns. -
Outbreak of Coxsackievirus B1 Myocarditis in Neonates
From June to November 2007, 10 neonates were hospitalized at Chicago's Northwestern University Children's Memorial Hospital. -
Rosiglitazone for Adjunctive Treatment of Malaria
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 140 patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were randomized to rosiglitazone 4 mg BID for four days vs. placebo, in addition to atovaquone/proguanil. -
Clostridium difficile Diarrheal Disease in Children
The diagnosis of C. difficile-related disease (CDD) in children is controversial, as recently reviewed. -
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome — Could a "Stealth Virus" Be Lurking?
It has been known for years that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have a defect in a major antiviral pathway, the 2-5A/RNase L pathway. The RNaseL produces non-specific viral cleavage and, thus, protects us from many viral infections (innate immunity). -
Why Is Staphylococcus aureus so Virulent?
Well-characterized strains of Staphylococcus aureus were grown in broth culture and after lysis PCR primers amplifying the lukS-PV and lukF-PV genes were employed. The amplicon was inserted into a pGEX vector and was transfected into E. coli. -
Updates By Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP
Data showing an increased risk of MRSA and C. difficile colonization on the footpads and coats of dogs and cats used for pet therapy in hospitals was discussed briefly in May 2009. -
Pharmacology Watch: SSRIs and Pregnancy: Increase in Septal Heart Defects
In this issue: Depression and pregnancy, new vaccine recommendations from the CDC, cortico-steroids and/or antivirals for Bell's palsy, rasagiline and Parkinson's disease, and FDA Actions. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement