Browse Infectious Disease Articles by Topic

Nasal Screening for MRSA: The New Basis for De-escalation of Empiric Antibiotics?

The high negative predictive value of a negative nasal screen for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus suggests these patients do not have lower respiratory tract infections caused by the organism.

Initial Antiretroviral Regimens — New Recommendations

Four of the five recommended initial antiretroviral regimens in treatment-naïve adolescents and adults are based on integrase strand transfer inhibitors.

Lung Ultrasound to Diagnose Pneumonia in Children

Whether based on history, tachypnea, or X-ray findings, the diagnosis of pneumonia in children is incompletely accurate. Ultrasound is a reasonable alternative tool for the diagnosis of childhood pneumonia.

Early Benefits of HPV Vaccination

A large study of HPV vaccination among girls 13-14 years of age demonstrated significant reduction of cervical dysplasia that was detectable by 17 years of age, providing justification for not delaying HPV vaccination in girls until older adolescence.

Early, Goal-directed Therapy of Septic Shock

ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: Hemodynamic management did not lead to an improvement in outcome.

Hospital Wards with Higher Rates of Antibiotic Prescribing Are Associated with Increased Risk for C. difficile Infection

A retrospective observational study found that among hospitalized patients, ward-level antibiotic prescribing was associated with a significantly increased risk for C. difficile infection beyond what would be expected with patient-level antibiotic use.

Wide Tachycardia in a Patient with Chest Pain

The 12-lead ECG and accompanying long lead II rhythm strip in the Figure was obtained from a 70-year-old woman with chest pain. She was hemodynamically stable at the time this ECG was recorded. What is the rhythm?

Clinical Briefs

Accumulation of briefs: Consequences of NSAID Use in Patients Receiving Post-MI Antithrombotic Prophylaxis, Psoriasis Is Associated with Insulin Resistance, and Difficult Questions About Testosterone and Mortality

Steroids for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia: More Evidence or More Uncertainty?

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of mortality from infection in industrialized countries, and treatment failure occurs in 10-20% of cases despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. Thus, effective treatment strategies that reduce the burden of CAP would have a major impact on public health. Several previous studies that investigated the role of corticosteroids in CAP produced mixed results. Torres and colleagues hypothesized that corticosteroids modulate the immune response in severe CAP, thereby decreasing treatment failure.

Effects of Lifestyle Modifications on the Coronary and Carotid Atherosclerotic Burden

A look at how lifestyle changes, including dietary modifications and regular exercise, impact therapy for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.