Browse Infectious Disease General Articles by Topic

Meningococcal Disease Is on the Rise

The number of cases of infection with Neisseria meningitidis is increasing in the United States. The majority of presentations are with bacteremia; meningitis is infrequent.

Predicting Outcomes of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection can cause hearing loss and neurologic deficits, but most affected newborns escape without sequelae. New data suggest a good prognosis if the mother’s infection was after the first trimester and if the newborn has normal hearing, a normal platelet count, and a normal head ultrasound exam.

Inappropriate Diagnosis of Pneumonia Is Common in Hospitalized Patients

A cohort study that included 48 hospitals in Michigan found that 12% of patients treated for community-acquired pneumonia were diagnosed inappropriately. Older age, dementia, and presenting with acute change in mental status increased the risk for misdiagnosis.

Infectious Disease Alert Updates

The Gut Biome and Social Determinants of Health: A Factor in C. diff Infection?

Pre-Op Screening for SARS-CoV-2 Is Not Cost Effective

Acanthamoeba Infection and Nasal Rinsing

This study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed 10 cases of patients with a history of nasal rinsing who developed Acanthamoeba infection.

Infections, Including Endocarditis, Due to Non-Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Evidence indicates increasingly frequent recovery of non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in wound cultures, along with further recognition of endocarditis caused by this organism.

Fusarium Meningitis

The presentation, management, and course of 13 patients in Texas with meningitis due to Fusarium solani occurring after spinal epidural anesthesia in Mexico are presented. At least nine have died despite multiple interventions.

Cryptococcosis After COVID-19: An Emerging Threat

A survey initiated by the Mycoses Study Group identified 69 cases of cryptococcosis following COVID-19 infection. The mortality rate was 59%, with cases in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals.

Preoperative Urine Culture Testing and the Risk of Infection in Noncardiac, Nonurological Surgical Patients

In this retrospective cohort study of patients at United States Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers who underwent major elective, noncardiac, nonurological surgeries, preoperative urine culture testing was not associated with a significant decrease in postoperative incidence of urinary tract infections or surgical site infections.

Vaccine Effectiveness Against Long COVID in Children and Adolescents

Findings consistent with long COVID occur in 4.5% of infected children. COVID vaccination reduces the risk of long COVID by 50% in adolescents and by 24% in children aged 5 to 11 years.