MedNews — Infectious Diseases
Malaria Protection Provided By Inherited Blood Disorder
An inherited childrens' blood disorder called alpha thalassemia can protect children against malaria, according to a new study. More »
Active Tuberculosis Prevented by New Drug that Kills Latent Bacteria
A new chemical that can prevent active tuberculosis in people infected with the latent form of the bacterium has been discovered by researchers. The drug could also shorten the recovery time needed, and suggests new ways of combating bacterial infection, increasingly resistant to traditional antibiotics. More »
Infection Expert Warns That MRSA May Be Unstoppable
Dr. Ron Najafi, CEO of NovaBay, describes MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) as a slow-moving hurricane. "Once the 'superbug' hits a community or hospital," asks Dr. Najafi, "are populations ready to deal with it?"
His comment was prompted by the untimely death of college student Chris Steden to the disease, which infects 90,000 Americans in our hospitals every year, with 19,000 deaths reported annually. More »
Pandemic Flu Can Be Controlled Pending Availability of a Vaccine
Prompt use of social-distancing measures, antiviral treatment and prophylaxis could control an outbreak of pandemic influenza in the United States, pending the availability of a vaccine, according to a recently-published study. More »
Mathematical Model for Prescribing Antibiotics May Help Control Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
In the United States some 100,000 people die every year because they become infected in hospital with a strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To combat this problem, a sophisticated mathematical model has been developed that changes the way that antibiotics are prescribed and administered. More »
Stress May Increase HPV and Cervical Cancer Risk
Sress can reduce the immune system's ability to resist HPV, a common sexually transmitted disease that may lead to cancer, according to a recent study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. No such association is seen, however, between past major life events, such as divorce or job loss, and the body's response to the infection. More »
Probiotics Reduces Respiratory Illness Rates in Athletes, Says Study
A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine finds that the rate and length of respiratory illness in distance runners is substantially cut by the probiotic Lactobacillus. The normal immune response to colds and flu can be suppressed by heavy exercise, which can leave some athletes vulnerable to them. More »
Industry Standards Needed for Children's Flu Vaccine, Says Report
Evaluating and establishing industry standards for flu vaccines for hospitalized children could help prevent additional hospitalizations and complications from influenza, according to a study published in a recent issue of Pediatrics. More »
Hospitals Slow to Check Catheter-related Infections
Twenty-five percent of Americans in hospital are given a urinary catheter, but a new study shows that hospitals are slow to prevent UTIs (urinary tract infections), which are the most common hospital acquired infections and represent 40% of such infections. More »
Test for Respiratory Viruses Cleared by FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared for marketing a test that simultaneously detects and identifies 12 specific respiratory viruses.
The test, called the xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel, is the first test for the detection and differentiation of influenza A subtypes H1 and H3. Influenza A is the most severe form of influenza for humans, and has been the cause of major epidemics. The new panel is also the first test for human metapneumovirus (hMPV), newly identified in 2001. More »
