Infectious Disease Alert – March 1, 2022
March 1, 2022
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Initial Antibiotic Choice for Neonatal Sepsis in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Gram-negative rods are responsible for most neonatal sepsis in low- and middle-income countries. Ampicillin-gentamicin usually has been recommended for presumptive treatment, pending bacteriology results (when such tests are available). The results of a multinational study in Africa and Asia suggest resistance to standard therapy is widespread and that ceftazidime-amikacin might be a better option.
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Is a Cure for HIV Possible Without Stem Cell Transplantation?
In a 30-year-old woman with HIV not on antiretroviral therapy (the “Esperanza patient”), an analysis of 1.188 billion peripheral blood mononuclear cells and 503 million mononuclear cells from placental tissue revealed no genome-intact or replication-competent HIV-1 proviruses. This indicates a sterilizing cure of HIV-1 infection.
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Was the 1889-1891 Russian Flu Really Coronavirus?
The 1889-1891 Russian flu pandemic was noted to spread rapidly through Western Europe, Great Britain, and North America. Contemporary clinical reports described prominent gastrointestinal, rheumatologic, and neurologic abnormalities (including loss of taste and smell), and pathologic reports described prominent thrombosis. A molecular clock analysis suggests a beta coronavirus emerged in humans following cross-species transmission around this time.
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Omicron: Get Your Booster Dose!
While vaccination provides protection against the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, high-level protection from a need for hospitalization requires receipt of a booster dose.
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Clostridioides difficile and Reduced Vancomycin Susceptibility
Growth inhibition of Clostridioides difficile isolates from patients in Houston and Nairobi is requiring increasing concentrations of vancomycin, raising concerns about therapeutic efficacy.
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Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome
The authors reviewed 102 patients with menstrual toxic shock syndrome requiring intensive care over 16 years in France. Despite the severity of illness, there were no deaths.
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How Certain Is a Negative Echocardiogram for Excluding Infective Endocarditis?
Applying the proposed strict negative criteria for infective endocarditis (IE) on the first echocardiogram indicated this approach largely prevented unnecessary repeat tests unless clinically indicated for continued suspicion of IE.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Delayed HIV Diagnosis with Injectable PrEP; Fatal Wave of COVID-Associated Mucormycosis