Infectious Disease General
RSSArticles
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The Expanding Venues of Histoplasmosis and Blastomycosis in the United States
The occurrence of new cases of both histoplasmosis and blastomycosis is increasing in the United States, including in areas not generally considered endemic.
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Recombinant Herpes Zoster Vaccine in a Medicare Population
Receipt of adjuvanted recombinant herpes zoster vaccine was effective in individuals older than 64 years of age and maintained its efficacy in immunocompromised individuals. Added benefit accrued from receipt of the second vaccine dose, even if its administration was delayed.
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Absence of Pleocytosis in Cerebrospinal Fluid Does Not Rule Out Encephalitis
A retrospective study that included 597 adults with encephalitis found 25.3% did not have pleocytosis in their cerebrospinal fluid, and 23.7% of those with HSV-1 encephalitis lacked pleocytosis on the initial lumbar puncture.
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COVID-19 Rebound: To Retreat or to Re-Treat
Re-treatment of non-immunocompromised patients with mild-moderate COVID-19 rebound with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir provided no significant benefit.
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Current Recommendations for Childhood Respiratory Vaccines
Amidst prevalent vaccine hesitancy, changing governmental advisory groups, and altered recommendations, COVID immunization still is recommended for all children aged 6 through 23 months and for older children with medical risk factors.
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Infectious Disease Updates
Visceral Larva Migrans from Baylisascariasis; Measles Testing of Persons with HIV; Ambulatory Glucose Monitoring a Risk for Bloodborne Pathogens
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Fleas, Typhus, and Texas
Cases of flea-borne typhus are dramatically increasing in Texas.
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Pertussis: Concerning News from Mexico, Brazil, and China
Related to under-immunization of pregnant women and children, pertussis is spreading in several countries within the Americas. Macrolide resistance of Bordetella pertussis is now common in China.
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Meningococcal Conjunctivitis in Military Trainees
Forty-one cases of conjunctivitis due to Neisseria meningitidis occurred in vaccinated military trainees over several months at a Texas facility. Topical treatment alone was successful, and no cases developed invasive infection due to this unencapsulated strain.
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Computerized Order Entry Reduces Antibiotic Use in Low-Risk Patients Hospitalized with SSTIs
A cluster randomized clinical trial assessed the effect of an antibiotic stewardship bundle that included computerized provider order entry (CPOE) prompts vs. routine stewardship on antibiotic selection during the first three hospital days in noncritically ill adults hospitalized with skin and soft tissue infections. CPOE prompts significantly reduced use of extended-spectrum antibiotics without increasing admissions to intensive care units or hospital length of stay.