Browse Infectious Disease Alert Articles by Topic

Dual Combination ART with Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine Is Effective for Maintaining HIV Virological Suppression

Results of the phase 2 LATTE study show that after 24 weeks of induction triple therapy, maintenance therapy with cabotegravir (a long-acting dolutegravir analogue) and rilpivirine led to virological suppression in 82% of patients, compared to 71% who received efavirenz plus two NRTIs.

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Syrian Refugees

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is spreading as refugees move from Syria through Turkey into Europe and throughout the world. Aware clinicians can consider diagnostic testing when facing unusual skin lesions in refugees.

Xenotourism: Live Cell Therapy, Maybe Not So Therapeutic

ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: Beware injection with sheep fetal cells.

Infectious Disease Alert Updates

Coccidioidomycosis: Is the “Zone” Growing?

Cocci as a Cause of Marine Mammal Mortality

Initial and Much Too Subtle Ebola Virus Infection

Arboviral Infections in the United States — Not Just West Nile

West Nile virus accounted for 95% of arbovirus infections in 2013 reported to CDC, with the majority causing neuroinvasive disease.

Treatment of Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A Brief Narrative Summary of the New IDSA Recommendations

A new IDSA guideline has recommendations providing best expert advice on management of native vertebral osteomyelitis.

Clostridium difficile Infection — Back to the Future

This study provides strong evidence that the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (as opposed to colonization) should be made on the basis of evidence of toxin production, not the mere presence of the organism as detected by glutamate dehydrogenase testing or the presence of toxin genes.

Intestinal Fibrosis and Immune Reconstitution in Patients with HIV Infection

Duodenal biopsies in patients naïve to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) underwent tissue staining and were examined. Intestinal myofibroblast activation was correlated with intestinal fibrotic changes and poor immune reconstitution following cART.

Chagas — Multifaceted Approach Needed

Prolonged recurrent exposure to Trypanosoma cruzi leads to an increased risk of inflammatory cardiomyopathy, but to decreased congenital transmission of T. cruzi. As housing and vector control improve, concurrent attention to early treatment is needed in order to reduce both cardiomyopathy and congenital infection.

Procalcitonin and Differentiating Bacterial from Viral Meningitis

ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: A meta-analysis found an elevated serum procalcitonin to be an accurate test. Details inside.