Browse Infectious Disease Alert Articles by Topic

Herpes Zoster Vaccine — Effective but Underused

The adjuvanted recombinant herpes zoster vaccine is highly effective in practice, but it is vastly underused.

Babesiosis in the United States and Recommendations for Diagnosis and Management

Babesiosis has been increasing in frequency and geographic reach in the United States among individuals ≥ 65 years of age. The Infectious Diseases Society of America has released a new updated guideline assisting clinicians in the diagnosis and management of the potentially lethal infection.

COVID, Lockdowns, and Dengue Fever

In areas where daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes transmit dengue virus, lockdowns and stay-at-home orders can either increase or decrease the incidence of dengue fever — depending on whether there are more mosquitoes in the home or work environment.

Early Replacement of Central Venous Catheters Removed Because of Bloodstream Infection

In patients with bloodstream infection whose central venous catheter is removed, delaying insertion of a new catheter at a different site for > 3 days is not associated with better infection outcomes than is earlier catheter insertion.

Antibiotics — Less Is Better, Sometimes

In England, and likely in many other areas of the world, antibiotics still are given for longer than is necessary. Excessively long durations of antibiotic use do not help patients and risk leading to more resistant infections.

How to Safely Open Schools in the Time of COVID

Multiple SARS-CoV-2 transmission clusters were identified in schools in a Georgia school district, with educators often being the index cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided recommendations for safely opening schools.

Clinical Outcomes in Pregnant Women with COVID-19

A meta-analysis and systematic review that included 24 studies mostly from China found that the rates of preterm birth and cesarean delivery were higher in women with COVID-19 compared to international averages.

Infectious Disease Alert Updates

Outcome of Coccidioidomycosis in the Pre-Antifungal Era; PET Imaging for Fever of Unknown Origin; High Rates of Thromboembolism in COVID-19

Clinician Alert: XDR Salmonella Typhi Acquired in the United States

Nine patients in the United States with no travel history had typhoid fever due to extensively drug-resistant Salmonella Typhi.

Ventricular Assist Device Infections: More Questions Than Answers?

Almost two-fifths of patients with left ventricular assist devices develop associated infections. The optimal appropriate management remains to be determined.