Infectious Disease Alert – January 1, 2015
January 1, 2015
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Increase in Sudden Death with ARBs or ACE Inhibitors and Co-trimoxazole
In a case-control study, older patients who received an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker along with co-trimoxazole had an increased risk of sudden death (unadjusted odds ratio 1.83, 95% confidence interval 1.50 to 2.24). Hyperkalemia is hypothesized to be the underlying mechanism. -
The Effect of Repeated Influenza Vaccination — Not Always Good
The immunogenicity of trivalent influenza vaccine is attenuated by the administration of A(H1N1)pdm09 4 months before, an effect partially overcome by the presence of an adjuvant in the former. -
Should Lumbar Puncture Still Be Routine for Febrile Babies?
Meningitis is very unlikely in otherwise healthy-appearing febrile infants older than 21 days of age. Thus, cerebrospinal fluid analysis might not be needed as part of a “routine” evaluation of these babies. -
Ethnicity and Treatment of Otitis Media
Nationally, nonblack children with otitis media more frequently receive broad-spectrum antibiotics than black children do. The majority of children with otitis media in the United States receive inappropriate treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. -
Spherusol® — Testing for Dermal Delayed Hypersensitivity to Coccidioides
In the fifth and sixth decades of the 20th century, Charles Smith reported the results of skin testing with coccidioidin, a culture filtrate of the mycelial phase of Coccidioides. -
Letter: Coccidioidal Exposure in the Laboratory
Accidental laboratory exposure to Coccidioides species is the major cause of clinical laboratory-acquired fungal infection, and coccidiodomycosis is thought to be the least responsive deep mycosis to treatment. -
Prior Authorization versus Prospective Audit with Provider Feedback: Does the Effectiveness of the Core Antimicrobial Stewardship Strategies Differ?
In a single academic medical center, changing from a strategy of prior authorization to prospective audit with feedback led to significantly increased total antibiotic use and use of agents with a broad spectrum of gram-negative activity. -
Ebola and Pregnancy
Hospital infection control policies for the management of suspect or documented Ebola Virus disease (EVD) should give consideration to appropriate triage procedures for their labor and delivery units.