Infectious Disease Topics
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Diagnosis and Management of Acute Infectious Diarrhea in 2016
The American College of Gastroenterology has developed a guideline dealing with the management of immunocompetent adults with acute infectious diarrhea, other than that due to Clostridium difficile infection.
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Diagnosis and Management of Invasive Aspergillosis in 2016
This updated guideline takes into account newer diagnostic methods and therapeutic agents and their use in the treatment of aspergillosis.
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Newly Recognized Rickettsial Infection in Eastern Central China
Fifty-six of 733 patients in China who were evaluated for suspected Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) were shown by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to be infected with Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae (CRT). Fever, myalgia, cough, gastrointestinal symptoms, and hemorrhagic manifestations were common. Rash was rarely seen, and eschar was observed in 16% of cases. Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and abnormal LFTs were commonly observed. Co-infection with SFTS virus was seen 66% of patients, and eight patients died.
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Screening for Clostridium difficile Carriers at Hospital Admission Reduces Subsequent C. difficile Infections
Patients admitted to a single hospital were screened for C. difficile carriage and those found to be positive were placed in contact isolation. This led to a significant decrease in hospital-acquired C. difficile infections.
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Evaluation of Amoxicillin Allergy in Children
The majority of children in this study were nonallergic. Provocative challenges should be conducted in an appropriate medical setting.
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Skin Infections in Student Athletes
Among high school and college athletes, skin infections are most common in wrestlers and football players. Bacterial infections predominate. Up to 22% of wrestlers are colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sometime during the season.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
“A New Wave of World-wide Gastroenteritis?”; Who Wants a Stoma if You Don’t Need One?; A Side of Hep E with Your Pork Roast?
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Healthcare Workers and Tuberculosis Prevention
Healthcare workers in high-burden countries in particular remain at high risk of tuberculosis.
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Does Finding the Portal of Entry of Bacteria in Infective Endocarditis Matter?
A comprehensive, systematic search for the portal of bacterial entry in infective endocarditis is frequently successful and affords an opportunity to prevent recurrent episodes.
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Oral Rehydration for Children with Mild Gastroenteritis
In a randomized study of children 6 to 60 months of age with acute gastroenteritis accompanied by mild vomiting and/or diarrhea with mild or no dehydration, initial oral rehydration with half-strength apple juice/preferred fluids resulted in fewer treatment failures than with electrolyte maintenance solution. In high-income countries, dilute apple juice/preferred fluids may be an acceptable alternative to commercial electrolyte maintenance solutions for childhood mild gastroenteritis with minimal dehydration.