Infectious Disease Alert 2006-11-01

Deep Dive: How Nose Picking Affects Nasal Carriage of S. aureus

Nouwen and colleagues at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, have a long and sophisticated interest in staphylococcal infection and, in particular, the role of carriage, and subsequent infection with S. aureus.

Antiretroviral for Acute HIV Infection — Not Ready for Prime Time

The optimal time to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ARV) in chronically-infected asymptomatic patients is now felt to be when the CD4+ lymphocyte count falls to approximately 350 cells/uL, based on the probability of developing an AIDS-defining illness within a relatively short period of time, as shown in a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Breast Implant Infections and Jacuzzis

From July through November 2003, a rapidly growing non-tuberculous Mycobacterium was recovered in culture from 11 of 15 women with wound infections after breast surgery all but one involving silicon gel implants. Thirteen of the procedures were performed by a single surgeon; infection developed in 12 of 42 (28.6%) patients operated on by this individual.

Influenza Vaccination of Children: Old and New Challenges

A prospective study of the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of one vs 2 doses of 2004-2005 trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV), in 5 8-year-old children, was conducted among 280 children who had not received TIV. Of these, 222 received 2 doses of TIV and had 3 blood samples. An additional 10 received 2 doses of TIV and were included in the safety analyses. The mean age of the 222 children was 6.5 years; 57% were male.

Traveler's Diarrhea and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Of 405 Israeli travelers followed for 6 months after return, 84% had visited Asia, while the remainder had been to Africa or South America. Traveler's diarrhea was experienced by 118 (28.6%), and 16 (13.6%) of these subsequently developed symptoms suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Poliomyelitis: Progress Toward Global Eradication

As of June 25, 2006, India had reported 60 polio cases for 2006; 57 being wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) and 3 wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3). Of these cases, 46 were from Uttar Pradesh (UP) state, 12 from Bihar state, one from Madhya Pradesh state bordering UP, and one from Jharkhand state bordering Bihar.

Imported Malaria

Dr. Fischer reports no financial relationship relevant to this field of study.This article originally appeared in the August 2006 issue of Travel Medicine Advisor. It was edited by Frank Bia, MD, MPH, and peer reviewed by Mary-Louise Scully, MD.

Updates By Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP

Each year in the United States, a few isolated cases of plague are reported. This year, possibly because of increased spring rains leading to an increase in the rodent population, an unprecedented 13 cases of plagues have occurred in 4 states (New Mexico, California, Colorado, and Texas).

Pharmacology Watch: Wait and See Prescriptions for Treatment of Otitis Media

New Hope for Macular Degeneration?; Can Cialis be Used for Edema?; FDA Actions

Infectious Disease Alert – November 1, 2006

November 1, 2006