Infectious Disease Alert – July 1, 2006
July 1, 2006
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Emergence of MRSA USA300 Clone
King and colleagues conducted prospective, laboratory-based surveillance of all community-onset staphylococcal skin and soft-tissue infections presenting to Grady Memorial Hospital and its affiliated clinics for a 3.5-month period in 2003. -
CA-MRSA & CAP
The CDC identified 17 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to S. aureus by following up on reports from the Emerging Infections Network of the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) during the 2003-2004 influenza season. -
Classifying MRSA — A Modest Proposal
The rapidly evolving epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization and infection has resulted in ambiguity in the designation of individual instances as either community or health care associated. This essay represents a proposal for a telegraphic system of unambiguous description of isolates. -
An Emerging Extended-Spectrum Triazole Antifungal: Noxafil® (Posaconazole)
Posaconazole exhibits numerous advantages over other triazoles in regards to drug-drug interactions, bioavailability issues, and its side-effect profile. -
Discontinuing Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
Due to the long half-lives of nevirapine and efavirenz, it is now recommended that when non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (nnRTI)-containing antiretroviral regimens are discontinued, backbone nucleoside analogs should be continued for 4-7 days to reduce the likelihood of development of nnRTI resistance. -
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Risk of Serious Infection
While the use of anti-tnf agents for the treatment of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known to be associated with an increased risk of serious infections and malignancies, the degree of risk has remained undefined. -
Updates By Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP
In October 2005, the American Committee on Immunization Practices provided provisional recommendations for the acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) (ADACELTM, Sanofi Pasteur) as a single booster dose for persons 11-64 years of age. -
Pharmacology Watch: Capping Drug Benefits — Will it Help Control Healthcare Costs?
The STAR Trial (Tamoxifen and Raloxifene); FDA Actions -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement