Infectious Disease Alert – October 1, 2020
October 1, 2020
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Repeat SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Whole genome sequencing confirmed that repeat infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, something that has consequences for vaccine use and for public health.
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Seasonal Coronavirus: A “Common Cold Virus” that May Be Lethal in Severely Immunocompromised Patients
Seasonal coronaviruses, which are a frequent cause of benign upper respiratory tract infections, may be fatal in severely immunocompromised patients.
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Antibiotic Use in COVID-19 Patients
Fifty-seven percent of patients with COVID-19 infection treated at 38 hospitals in Michigan received early empiric antibiotics, although only 3.5% of patients had documented community-onset bacterial co-infection.
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Four Months of Rifampin Is Just as Effective, Safer, and Less Expensive than Nine Months of Isoniazid for Latent Tuberculosis
A health system cost comparison found that four months of rifampin was safer and less expensive than nine months of isoniazid in high-income countries, medium-income countries, and African countries.
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Possible Aerosol Spread of SARS-CoV-2 in an Apartment Building
Although not definitive, evidence is consistent with aerosol spread of SARS-CoV-2 in an apartment building as a result of transport through the drainage system to apartments directly above.
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Biofilm, Tap Water, and a Nosocomial Mycobacterium abscessus Outbreak — Bring on the Sterile Water
Stopping a nosocomial Mycobacterium abscessus outbreak by eschewing tap water.
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Vitamin C, Thiamine, and Steroids for Septic Shock — Still Unproven
Combination treatment with ascorbic acid (vitamin C), thiamine (vitamin B1), and corticosteroids does not improve clinical outcomes in adults with septic shock.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
IL-6 Inhibition and Liver Failure; Can Chopsticks Make You Sick?