Infectious Disease Alert – November 1, 2003
November 1, 2003
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Staphylococcus lugdunensis: Not Your Father’s (or Mother’s) Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus
Staphylococcus lugdunensis, in contrast to the other skin and mucus membrane-colonizing coagulase-negative staphylococci, has virulence factors that closely resemble those of Staphylococcus aureus and consequently causes similar aggressively destructive infections. -
Corticosteroids for Kawasaki Disease
Pulsed-dose intravenous methylprednisolone added to the conventional treatment of IVIG and high-dose aspirin, resulted in faster resolution of fever and lower ESR, CRP, and levels of IgA in children with Kawasaki disease. -
Progress in the Control of Nosocomial Legionnaires’ Disease
Synopsis: Copper silver ionization in potable waters was found to be highly effective in reducing environmental Legionella colonization and preventing nosocomial Legionnaires disease over prolonged time periods. -
Treatment of CAP with Levofloxacin: What Dose? What Duration?
Synopsis: Treatment of CAP with 750 mg of levofloxacin daily for 5 days was as effective as a 10-day course of 500 mg daily. -
Mycoplasma and Acute Chest Syndrome in Sickle Cell Disease
Synopsis: A prospective study of 671 episodes of acute chest syndrome in 538 patients with sickle cell anemia found that 51 (9%) had serologic evidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, including 12% of episodes in children < 5 years of age. Mycoplasma hominis was cultured in 10 episodes. -
Asymptomatic Lyme Disease
Synopsis: Up to 7% of B burgdorferi infections in the United States are asymptomatic. -
Human Metapneumovirus Infection in Children
Synopsis: Human metapneumovirus was found in 6.4% of respiratory tract specimens collected from children < 5 years of age who had no evidence of other respiratory tract pathogens. -
Duration of Antiviral Immunity After Smallpox Vaccination
Synopsis: More than 90% of individuals studied maintain measurable humoral or T-cell mediated immunity against vaccinia virus for as long as 75 years after smallpox vaccination. -
HIV, FUO, and Bartonella
Synopsis: Bartonella is a cause of unexplained fever in HIV-infected patients. -
Updates
Management of Lipodystrophy in HIV: A Mini-Update; Yersiniosis Outbreak From Chitterlings; Compassionate-Use Daptomycin Now Available -
Pharmacology Watch: Generic Paxil Scheduled to Hit Market this Fall
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Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement