Medscape Infectious Diseases Headlines

Vitamin D Has Benefits in Chronic HCV Infection

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:25:18 EST

Vitamin D supplementation improved standard antiviral treatment efficacy in a small study.
Medscape Medical News

Statins Associated With Lower Risk for Death Among Hospitalized Influenza Patients

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:54:24 EST

Statin users hospitalized for influenza experienced a 54% lower risk for death than patients not taking statins.
Medscape Medical News

Vaccine Effective for HPV-Related Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 13:18:31 EST

An experimental vaccine induced a high rate of response in women with human papillomavirus (HPV)-16-positive, high-grade vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia.
Medscape Medical News

Hospitalization, Death From H1N1 Influenza Can Occur at Any Age

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:07:01 EST

Infants had the highest hospitalization rates from H1N1 influenza, but persons aged 50 years or older had the highest mortality rates once hospitalized.
Medscape Medical News

New Highly Virulent Strain of Vancomycin-Resistant MRSA Carries High Mortality Rate

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:42:19 EST

Patients with USA600 strain-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia were at 5 times the risk of dying as those with other strains, and were vancomycin-resistant.
Medscape Medical News

Testing for H1N1 Influenza in the Emergency Department

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:39:25 EST

James Wilde, MD, discusses the recommendations for testing of H1N1 and how to determine when isolation of patients who are ill is needed in the emergency department.
Medscape Emergency Medicine

Low Factor V Levels Signal Poor Prognosis With Hepatitis B-Induced Acute Liver Failure

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:33:15 EST

Factor V level on day 3 of hospitalization was strongly associated with survival in HBV-associated acute liver failure, with levels of 0% to 10% among those who died and 7% to 25% for survivors.
Medscape Medical News

Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2b (Peg-IFN alpha-2b) Affects Early Virologic Response Dose-Dependently in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1 During Treatment With Peg-IFN Alpha-2b Plus Ribavirin

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:32:46 EST

This study sought to evaluate how reducing drug doses affects complete early virologic response (c-EVR), defined as hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA negativity at week 12.
Journal of Viral Hepatitis

HBV Reduces Recurrence-Free Survival After Surgery for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:52:59 EST

In cirrhotic patients, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with a poorer long-term prognosis after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma, according to Italian researchers.
Reuters Health Information

Recommended Childhood Vaccines Safe for Children With Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:31:10 EST

A preliminary study found no evidence of serious adverse events, including autism, in children with inborn errors of metabolism who received recommended childhood immunizations.
Medscape Medical News

Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter Infections Remain Prevalent In and Out of Hospital

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:50:21 EST

Infection control practices reduced the rate of multidrug resistant Acinetobacter in an intensive care unit and should be implemented in patients at risk for community-onset infections.
Medscape Medical News

FDA Safety Changes: DepoDur, Neoral, Lexiva

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:14:25 EST

The FDA has approved safety labeling revisions for morphine sulfate extended-release liposome injection, cyclosporine capsules and oral solution, and fosamprenavir calcium tablets and oral suspension.
Medscape Medical News

Three-Day Course of Antibiotics May Be Effective After Pediatric Tonsillectomy

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:08:54 EST

In a small, randomized trial, a 3-day course of antibiotics was as effective as a 7-day course in terms of postoperative analgesic use and resumption of normal diet and activity.
Medscape Medical News

Physicians Are Talking About: A Death Foretold

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:14:29 EST

Would you operate on a patient who experienced a premonition of death? Is this a contraindication surgery? Medscape Physician Connect members discuss whether to ignore or heed premonitions.
Medscape Family Medicine

Comparative Efficacy of Influenza Vaccines -- Inactivated vs Live Attenuated

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:11:22 EST

This multi-year study sheds light on the differences between vaccine formulations, and why vaccine types work better in some age groups than in others.
Medscape Pediatrics

Virulent Strain of C difficile on the Rise in Hospital and Community Settings

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 09:19:03 EST

Physicians need to consider Clostridium difficile in patients with diarrhea, even those with no history of recent antibiotic use or hospitalization.
Medscape Medical News

Cefepime Does Not Increase Mortality in Patients With Febrile Neutropenia

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 08:05:47 EST

No increase in 30-day all-cause mortality was seen in patients with febrile neutropenia who were treated with cefepime, as opposed to other antibiotics.
Medscape Medical News

Oseltamivir-Resistant Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in Two Immunosuppressed Patients --- Seattle, Washington, 2009

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Close monitoring for antiviral drug resistance is needed among immunosuppressed patients being treated for novel influenza A (H1N1) infection.
Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report

H1N1 Vaccine Supplies Catching Up

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 23:53:20 EST

H1N1 vaccine supplies are now "on track" to meet target levels, according to data reported today at a CDC press briefing.
Medscape Medical News

First Group B Streptococcal Vaccine Prevents Colonization in Healthy Nonpregnant Women

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 11:12:24 EST

A phase 3 study shows, for the first time, the feasibility of immunization against Group B streptococcus infection; an investigational vaccine prevents vaginal colonization.
Medscape Medical News