Category: Infectious Disease
Keywords: MRSA, resistant bacteria, sepsis, antiobiotics, baltimore (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/17/2007 by Dan Lemkin, MS, MD
(Updated: 6/17/2026)
Click here to contact Dan Lemkin, MS, MD
A recent study came out which confirms what we already knew... that MRSA infections are no longer confined to ICUs but are spreading to the community. What the new study does show, is that it affects particular populations disproportionately and Baltimore City, more than any other study population. The full article is attached below, or can be obtained for free from the JAMA website.
| "Unadjusted incidence rates of all types of invasive MRSA ranged between approximately 20 to 50 per 100 000 in most ABCs sites but were noticeably higher in 1 site (site 7, Baltimore City) (TABLE 2)." "... we calculated interval estimates excluding site 7 (Baltimore City) to allow the reader to interpret a range of estimates reflecting different metropolitan areas. Regarding the high observed incidence rates reported by site 7, we conducted an evaluation to determine whether these results were valid, including a review of casefinding methods, elimination of cases to include only those with zip codes represented in the denominator, contamination in any laboratory, and other potential causes for increased rates; however, none were in error." |
Category: Infectious Disease
Keywords: community acquired pneumonia, CURB-65, empiric antibiotics (PubMed Search)
Posted: 9/18/2007 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 6/17/2026)
Click here to contact Mike Winters, MBA, MD
Category: Infectious Disease
Keywords: TB, PPD, Conversion (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/12/2007 by Michael Bond, MD
(Updated: 6/17/2026)
Click here to contact Michael Bond, MD
Category: Infectious Disease
Posted: 4/12/2013 by Andrea Tenner, MD
(Updated: 6/17/2026)
Click here to contact Andrea Tenner, MD
General Information:
-As of April 5th, 14 confirmed cases of a new influenza A virus (H7N9) have occurred in China. Six of those have died.
-Presumed transmission via infected poultry in bird markets, and thus far no person-to-person transmission has occurred.
-Likely susceptible to oseltamavir or inhaled zanamivir
Area of the world affected:
-China
Relevance to the US physician:
- Suspect in patients with a respiratory illness and appropriate travel history.
- Refer to CDC within 24 hours if test positive for flu A but cannot be subtyped
- If H7N9 is suspected, patients should be under droplet and airborne precautions
Bottom Line:
No human-to-human transmission from H7N9 thus far, but the possibility exists. Any unsubtypeable influenza A patient should be placed on droplet and airborne precautions and oseltamavir or zanamivir started immediately.
University of Maryland Section of Global Emergency Health
Author: Andi Tenner, MD, MPH
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_04_04/en/index.html
http://emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00344.asp
