Infectious Disease Alert 2007-01-01

Listeria Meningitis

Of 696 episodes of community-acquired meningitis in adults identified by the nationwide Dutch Meningitis Cohort study from 1998 to 2002, 30 (4%) were due to Listeria monocytogenes. The mean age was 65 ± 18 years; all 10 of the previously immunocompetent patients were >50 years of age.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: For Boys, Too?

The new quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) L1 virus-like particle vaccine (types 6, 11, 16, 18) was studied for immunogenicity and reactogenicity in 506 girls and 510 boys (10-15 years of age) and 513 young women (16-23 years of age). Vaccine was administered in the standard schedule of 0, 2, and 6 months. Type-specific serologies were performed in a blinded fashion using a competitive Luminex xMAP-based immunoassay (cLIA) on serum samples obtained at 0, 3, and 7 months.

Panton-Valentine Leukocidin

Community-Associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) has emerged as an important cause of skin and soft-tissue infection. Most isolates of CA-MRSA are positive for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), an exotoxin that is generally absent from "classic" hospital-associated MRSA strains. This suggests that PVL may be an important virulence determinant in CA-MRSA.

TMC125 (Etravirine), a Second Generation Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor

The Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase inhibitors (nnRTI's) including both efavirenz and nevirapine have intrinsic in vitro activity superior to all the other classes of antiretroviral agents. Clinical trials including patients who have been followed now for many years on efavirenz have demonstrated the durability, as well as potency, of these agents.

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

The World Health Organization/International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Global Project on Anti-tuberculosis Drug Resistance began collecting its data in 1994 on drug resistance in 90 countries.

Treatment of Cholera in Adults with Single-Dose Azithromycin

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 Philip R. Fischer, MD, DTM&H. Dr. Fishcer is Professor of Pediatrics, Divsion of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Dr. Fishcer reports no financial relationships relevant to this field of study.

New Once-a-Day Pill Submitted to FDA

HIV antiretroviral therapy treatment soon will become a whole lot simpler than most antibiotic regimens when the FDA approves the combination pill of efavirenz/emtricitabine/ tenofovir (Truvada/Sustiva).

Updates By Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP

Within the United States, 3 groups of individuals have been deemed the highest priority for annual influenza vaccination based on estimates of risk: (1) Persons ¡Ý 65 yrs; (2) Persons 18-64 yrs with chronic health conditions such as cardiorespiratory disease or who reside in a long-term care facility; (3) and health care workers and other persons with close contact with groups 1 and 2.

Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement

Pharmacology Watch: Study: Long-Term Use of Clopidogrel for DES Patients

Drug Labels A Prescription for Misunderstanding?; Beta-Blockers and Depression Unlinked?; FDA Actions

Infectious Disease Alert – January 1, 2007

January 1, 2007