Infectious Disease Alert – August 1, 2011
August 1, 2011
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Special Feature: Colistimethate: Risk of Serious or Fatal Medication Error
The National Medication Error Reporting Program (operated by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices [ISMP]) recently issued an alert on the potential risk of medication errors associated with dosing colistimethate for injection. -
Abstract & Commentary: Anti-staphylococcal β-lactam Antibiotics Potentiate Daptomycin Activity vs. MRSA
Seven patients were identified when DAP-ASBL therapy was used to eradicate persistent MRSA bacteremia. Isolates from 3 patients were available for in vitro study. -
Abstract & Commentary: Cephalosporin-resistant Gonorrhea: It's Just a Matter of Time
By 2007, the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance among N. gonorrhoeae had become so widespread in the United States that the CDC recommended against use of drugs of that class in the treatment of gonorrhea. -
Abstract & Commentary: Plasma β-glucan for the Diagnosis of Pneumocystis Pneumonia in AIDS Patients
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a common opportunistic infection (OI) in AIDS patients. Laboratory diagnosis of this life-threatening infection is based primarily upon identifying P. jirovecii cysts in respiratory secretions, a technique that is variably sensitive and requires adequate patient effort (for induced sputum examination) or an invasive test (bronchoscopy); both are quite operator dependent. -
Abstract & Commentary: How Many Days of Ceftriaxone Is Enough for Meningitis?
A consortium of 10 pediatric hospitals in Bangladesh, Egypt, Malawi, Pakistan, and Vietnam was assembled by the World Health Organization CSF5 study group with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development to compare 5 days vs. 10 days of therapy with ceftriaxone. -
News Brief: The AMA and the Infectious Diseases Specialist: House of Delegates Update
The American Medical Association convened the biannual House of Delegates meeting in Chicago in June with more than 500 delegates from a variety of societies and organizations. -
Updates By Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP
The United States Perinatal HIV Surveillance Project tracks HIV-infected pregnant women in care in 15 locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. -
Pharmacology Watch: FDA issues Multiple Drug Warnings
In this issue: FDA issues multiple drug safety alerts; ARBs and cancer risk; and FDA actions. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement