Infectious Disease Alert – July 1, 2004
July 1, 2004
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An Outbreak of Quinolone Resistant Haemphilus influenzae in a Long-Term Care Facility
Ninety-three percent of sputum isolates from a single long-term care facility were resistant to quinolones. Epidemiologic study showed an association with prior receipt of levofloxacin. Strains were closely related by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis, indicating patient to patient spread of a resistant clone. -
A Recurring Theme: From Apes to Man
In what may be a harbinger of a changing host preference, it was found that over one-half of cases of malaria in an area of Malaysian Borneo were caused by Plasmodium knowlesi, monkey pathogen. Such cases are likely to go unrecognized because of the great difficulty in distinguishing this organism from Plasmodium malariae by microscopy. -
Another Cause of Rickettsial-Spotted Fever in the United States
A fourth pathogen, Rickettsia parkeri, has been identified as a newly identified cause of rickettsial spotted fever in the United States. -
Are Two Tests Better Than One for Detecting Invasive Aspergillosis?
The case for this PCR assay for aspergillus DNA remains unproven; and that proof can only be obtained by undertaking a formal prospective study in which samples for the detection of galactomannan and fungal DNA by PCR are taken at several predetermined intervals eg, 2-3 times weekly from all patients at risk. -
Pseudomonas, Ear Cartilage and Cell-to-Cell Signaling
The interaction of cell to cell negative with cell to cell positive may be the crucial consideration between real patients. -
ICAAC/IDSA/ASTMH 2003 Conference Coverage
The following is a summary of selected abstracts from 3 meetings. The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) met in Chicago September 14-17, 2003. The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) met in San Diego October 9-12, 2003. The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene met in Philadelphia December 3-7, 2003. -
Updates by Carol A. Kemper, MD, FACP
Mystery Lung Nodule in BakerCase Closed; Frequency of CJD in Asymptomatic Britons; Prepared Infant Formula a Risk; Does Mefloquine Pose an Unacceptable Risk to US Soldiers?; Adherence with HIV Vaccination Guidelines Poor -
Pharmacology Watch: Britain to Allow Over-the-Counter Sales of Zocor
FDA Rejects Plan B Bid; Rosuvastatin: Markets Most Potent Statin; FDA Actions -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement