Risk of Dengue in Travelers: Implications for Dengue Vaccination
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDengue is found in tropics and subtropics that are considered to be popular travel destinations. We set out to review the burden of dengue on international travelers.Recent FindingsGeoSentinel, a global network of travel medicine providers, has seen an increasing trend of dengue in returning travelers over the past decades. In Southeast Asia, annual proportionate morbidity increased from 50 dengue cases per 1000 ill-returned travelers in non-epidemic years to an average of 159 cases per 1000 travelers during epidemic years. Dengue is the leading cause of fever in returning travelers, having overtak...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - October 29, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
An Update on Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests
AbstractPurpose of ReviewModern advances in malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) technology have increased demand for low-cost, easy-to-use assays in areas endemic for malaria. Substantial developments in diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, improvements in non-falciparum RDTs, and novel biotechnological innovations are gradually aligning the performance of RDTs with reference-level diagnostics including PCR and expert microscopy gold standards.Recent FindingsTrends have emerged in recent malaria RDT literature: (1) improvements in the sensitivity and specificity of RDTs forPlasmodium falciparum diagnosis, making them co...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - October 23, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Acinetobacter Infections in Neonates
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMDR-Gram-negative bacteria are a great concern in the neonatal population, with a worldwide rise in the reported incidence and with very limited therapeutic options.Acinetobacter baumannii is responsible for many infections in neonates and outbreaks in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); also, outbreaks caused by otherAcinetobacter species have been reported. The aim of this review is to document the epidemiology ofAcinetobacter spp. infections in neonates and risk factors for acquisition ofAcinetobacter spp. in the NICU using data from published studies.Recent FindingsAcinetobacter spp. infection...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - October 10, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Antimicrobial Therapy in Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEmpirical antibiotic therapy remains the cornerstone of treatment in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, the best option for empirical antibiotics for treatment on an ambulatory basis, as well as in those requiring hospitalization, is still unclear. This review tries to answer the question regarding the most appropriate antibiotics in different settings in children with CAP as well as duration of therapy.Recent FindingsRecent studies have provided insights regarding use of oral antibiotics in children with mild to moderate CAP, and severe CAP with lower chest retractions but no hypoxia. In...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - September 20, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Treating HIV-Positive/Non-AIDS Patients for Community-Acquired Pneumonia with ART
This article reviews the most recent publications on community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the HIV-infected population on antiretroviral therapy (ART), focusing on epidemiology, prognostic factors, etiology, and antimicrobial therapy. The data discussed here were mainly obtained from a non-systematic review using Medline and references from relevant articles.Recent FindingsCAP remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients and incurs high health costs despite the introduction of ART.SummaryHIV-infected patients are generally known to be more susceptible to bacterial pneumonia.Streptococcus pne...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - September 10, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Moving Past the Routine Use of Macrolides —Reviewing the Role of Combination Therapy in Community-Acquired Pneumonia
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDespite advances in diagnostic microbiology and sepsis management, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Current recommendations regarding the use of beta-lactams in combination with macrolides published in clinical practice guidelines are variable and based on low-quality evidence that is frequently retrospective, observational, and heterogeneous in nature. While population-based studies have historically suggested improved clinical outcomes with the routine use of macrolide combination therapy in hospitalized patients with CAP, emerging evidenc...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - September 6, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Infectious Diseases and Mass Gatherings
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMass gatherings (MGs) are characterized by a high concentration of people at a specific time and location. Infectious diseases are of particular concern at MGs. The aim of this review was to summarize findings in the field of infectious diseases with a variety of pathogens associated with international MGs in the last 5 years.Recent FindingsIn the context of Hajj, one of the largest religious MGs at Mecca, Saudi Arabia, respiratory tract infections are the leading cause of infectious diseases in pilgrims with a prevalence of 50 –93%. The most commonly acquired respiratory viruses were human rhi...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - August 28, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Candida parapsilosis Vaginal Infection —a New Site of Azole Drug Resistance
ConclusionClinicians are required to determine a causal relationship between vaginal isolates ofC. parapsilosis before prescribing antifungal agents, recognizing the possibility of fluconazole resistance to explain refractory symptomatology. (Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports)
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - August 27, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Sink-Related Outbreaks and Mitigation Strategies in Healthcare Facilities
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this review, we summarize recent outbreaks attributed to hospital sinks and examine design features and behaviors that contributed to these outbreaks. The effectiveness of various risk mitigation strategies is presented. Finally, we examine investigational strategies targeted at reducing the risk of sink-related infections.Recent FindingsOutbreaks of hospital sink-related infections involve a diverse spectrum of microorganisms. They can be attributed to defects in sink design and hospital wastewater systems that promote the formation and dispersion of biofilm, as well as healthcare practitioner ...
Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports - August 20, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
