Volume 53, Issue 4, 15 August 2011

This study, evaluating the performance of a novel cryptococcal lateral flow immunoassay, shows that the assay performs as well as available diagnostic methods is economical, rapid, and easy to perform; and as such can be a point of care test in resource limited settings.

Use of glucocorticoids for fever reduction and pneumonia prevention during the early stage of pH1N1 influenza virus infection increases the risk for critical disease or death. Strict guidelines on the use of glucocorticoids should be established and enforced throughout China.

The results of the present study suggest that ASA score ≤ 2 and use of rifampin-combination therapy are two independent factors associated with favorable outcome of patients treated for total hip or knee prosthetic infections due to S. aureus.

Identification of disease-predisposing variations with nevirapine (NVP)-induced rash by means of stepwise case-control study among NVP-receiving HIV-infected Thai patients using genome-wide SNPs as genetic markers. We demonstrated genetic variations in coiled-coil α-helical rod protein 1 are strongly associated with NVP-induced rash.

Mild cerebral swelling on CT-scan was common in adult patients with cerebral malaria, but severity of swelling was not correlated with coma depth or survival. Mannitol as adjunctive treatment for cerebral malaria prolonged coma duration and may be harmful.

This article describes a large, multi-state Salmonella outbreak due to contaminated peanut butter occurring in 2006-2007. This outbreak highlights the risk of salmonellosis from heat-processed foods of non-animal origin previously thought to be low risk for Salmonella contamination.

The severity and risk for dissemination of coccidioidomycosis are increased when infection is acquired during pregnancy. Azole antifungals are potentially teratogenic when given in the first trimester. These issues are reviewed and guidance regarding management of coccidioidomycosis during pregnancy is provided.

Procalcitonin measurement to guide antimicrobial therapy causes a significant reduction in the exposure to antimicrobials among patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) and may also decrease the ICU length of stay.

HIV-exposed, uninfected infants who do not breastfeed compared to those who breastfeed between 6 and 15 months experience substantially higher acute morbidity and cumulative mortality. Adequate monitoring of infant health and prolonged breastfeeding should be encouraged.

In a prospective cohort study of febrile patients in northern Tanzania, Q fever and spotted fever group rickettsiosis were common but were not diagnosed by physicians in the absence of specific clinical features and local diagnostic methods.