September 11th 2025
Merck's CAPVAXIVE could cover approximately 78% of invasive pneumococcal disease cases in youth with chronic health conditions, vs other approved pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
Kidney Graft Rejection Lower With Thymoglobulin
November 9th 2006ST. LOUIS -- High-risk kidney transplant recipients had a lower rate of acute rejection and severe rejection episodes when they received induction therapy with Thymoglobulin (rabbit antithymocyte globulin) compared with Simulect (basiliximab).
Two New Fatalities from Clostridium sordellii, Neither Linked to Morning-After Pill
November 7th 2006BOISE, Idaho -- Two more fatalities from the rarely encountered pathogen Clostridium sordellii have been reported, neither linked to the so-called morning-after pills, Mifeprex and Cytotec, according to investigators here.
Young Man With Fever, Headache, and Seizures
November 1st 2006A 28-year-old man is hospitalized because of highfever with rigors and chills and rapid weight loss(5.4 kg [12 lb] in 2 weeks). During the past 48 hours,generalized throbbing headache, intermittent vomiting,blurry vision, and seizures have developed. The progressiveseizures started in the left hand and have becomegeneralized grand mal.
AASLD: Telaprevir Monotherapy for Hepatitis C Induces Rapid Resistance
November 1st 2006BOSTON -- Drug-resistant viral strains developed rapidly when exposed to telaprevir, the investigational protease inhibitor against hepatitis C virus (HCV), but both wild-type virus and mutants were controlled by follow-on therapy with interferon and Rebetol.
Clinical Citations: Comparing the features of invasive aspergillosis with and without neutropenia
November 1st 2006Invasive aspergillosis is a common and often deadly infection in immunocompromised patients, such as neutropenic patients who are being treated for malignancies. Does it have similar features and outcomes in nonneutropenic patients? This study by Cornillet and colleagues provides some interesting answers.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension: Classification, diagnosis, and prognosis
November 1st 2006Abstract: Our understanding of the pathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has evolved considerably over the past 2 decades, with increasing recognition of the important role that aberrant vasoproliferative responses play in conjunction with disordered vasoconstriction. Classification of the many forms of PAH into categories sharing a similar pathophysiology and clinical presentations help the practicing clinician approach a complex differential diagnosis. Noninvasive tests can be used to narrow this differential but must be applied with an appreciation for their limitations. Transthoracic echocardiography is the screening tool of choice; the workup should also include chest radiography and electrocardiography. However, right heart catheterization is ultimately required to establish the diagnosis. While PAH remains a progressive and generally fatal disease, existing therapies have a significant impact on survival and new therapeutic targets offer great hope for improving the prognosis. (J Respir Dis. 2006;27(11):487-493)
Clinical Update: The return of influenza season: What has changed?
November 1st 2006The 2006-2007 influenza season is upon us. Influenza epidemics have been associated with an average of about 36,000 deaths per year in the United States from 1990 to 1999.1 In July of this year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated its recommendations for the prevention and control of influenza.2