Infectious Disease Alert
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Beta-lactam Antibiotics May Be Useful in MRSA Infection
Using several in vitro assays and animal models, it was shown that oxacillin-treated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains are attenuated in virulence. The effect is mediated by repression of accessory gene regulatory quorum-sensing system and altered cell wall architecture.
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Treatment of Chronic Fatigue/Myalgic Encephalitis Syndrome: Blocking the IL-1 Component to the Inflammatory Response Is Ineffective
Blockade of IL-1 activity with anakinra failed to reduce fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
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Echinococcosis — Who Cares, and What’s New?
Echinococcosis continues to cause significant disease in much of the world, and a new form is emerging in Latin America. Combinations of medical, procedural, and surgical treatment usually are effective, but long-term albendazole may be required.
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Restricting Fluoroquinolone Use Reduces Clostridium difficile Infection More Than Infection Control Methods
An observational study from England showed that restricting fluoroquinolone use reduced incidence of Clostridium difficile infection more than would be predicted by improved infection control methods alone.
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TB in the United States: Better, but Still a Long Way to Go
The incidence of tuberculosis in the United States continues to decrease, but not at a rate sufficient to achieve elimination during this century.
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Medical Treatment of Acute Appendicitis in Children
A meta-analysis demonstrated a 90.5% success rate of medical treatment compared to appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis in children 5-15 years of age. There was a nearly nine-fold higher risk of failure with antibiotic treatment, indicating that appendectomy remains the standard of care.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Take Those Pins Out of Your Mouth!; How Many Sex Partners Is “Too Many”?; Rinse that GC Right Out of Your Mouth
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2016 Was Not a Good Year for New FDA Anti-infectives
In 2016, two anti-hepatitis C virus combination drugs were approved, as were monoclonal antibodies directed at bacterial toxins (anthrax toxin and Clostridium difficile toxin B), as well as an oral cholera vaccine.
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Treatment of Early Forms of Syphilis in HIV-Infected Patients
The results of this randomized trial provide support for the CDC recommendation of treatment of early stages of syphilis in HIV-infected patients with a single intramuscular 2.4-million-unit dose of benzathine penicillin.
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A Potpourri of Global Viral Activity — It’s Always Something
Ross River virus, Sindbis virus, Kyasanur Forest disease, Lassa fever, avian influenza, MERS-CoV, and Seoul virus are among the viruses currently causing outbreaks.