Infectious Disease Alert – February 1, 2017
February 1, 2017
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Zika Virus and Risk of Congenital Abnormalities
Two recent studies clarify the substantial risk of congenital abnormalities following maternal Zika virus infection. The risk is highest in the first trimester of pregnancy, and appears similar following symptomatic and asymptomatic maternal infection.
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Intrauterine Zika Virus Infection — Not Just Microcephaly at Birth
Manifestations of intrauterine Zika infection may not be clinically apparent at birth, warranting the use of early neuroimaging and careful follow-up.
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A Short Course of Antibiotics for Acute Otitis Media in Children Leads to Worse Outcomes Compared to Standard Course Therapy
A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial determined that in children 6-23 months of age with acute otitis media, five days of amoxicillin-clavulanate resulted in more clinical failure compared to a 10-day course of therapy.
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Decreasing Malaria Mortality in Africa
Malaria mortality in Africa has decreased by approximately 57% during the past 15 years, but some areas still have low level use of bed nets, low coverage with antimalarial medication, and higher death rates due to malaria. At the same time, anti-malarial measures are still important for individuals traveling to endemic areas.
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Ventilator-associated Pneumonia with Minimal Ventilatory Requirements — Discontinuing Antibiotics After Three Days
Discontinuation of empiric antibiotic therapy given for treatment of presumed ventilator-associated pneumonia can be discontinued safely after three days in patients with minimal ventilator requirements.
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Flu in Pregnancy: Increased Inflammation Demonstrated
In pregnant women, monocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) exhibit an exaggerated proinflammatory immune response to influenza A virus compared to nonpregnant women.
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Bezlotoxumab Injection (Zinplava)
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Discharge Antibiotic Prescriptions Often Are Inappropriate with Regard to Choice, Dose, Duration
Seventy percent of discharge antibiotic prescriptions are inappropriate.