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MedPulse is a weekly index of key news and features on Medscape's

specialty sites compiled by Medscape's Editors.

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___________________ NEW FEATURE ARTICLES THIS WEEK ____________________

JOURNAL SCAN - INFECTIOUS DISEASES 4(9)

David Haburchak, MD, summarizes and comments on important new publications, including:

-- Pseudomonas Hot-Foot Syndrome

-- Human Infection from Rabies Vaccine

-- Famine and Measles

-- E coli O157, Salmonella and Sprouts

http://id.medscape.com/43183.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

CONFERENCE REPORT - AIDS VACCINE 2001: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Ronald T. Mitsuyasu, reports the highlights of the first international scientific meeting devoted to HIV vaccine research, explaining why there is new optimism in this field.

Medscape HIV/AIDS 7(5), 2001

http://id.medscape.com/43189.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

CASE REPORT - KAPOSI'S SARCOMA: AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION

A case report describes an unusual presentation of a patient with AIDS and isolated endobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma.

MedGenMed, September 28, 2001

http://id.medscape.com/43196.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

-- MMWR --

ECHOVIRUS TYPE 13 --- UNITED STATES, 2001

Echovirus 13 is an enterovirus that rarely has been detected in the US, accounting for only 65 of approximately 45,000 enterovirus isolates reported to the CDC during 1970--2000, and no associated outbreaks have been reported in this country.

http://id.medscape.com/43103.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

SHIGELLOSIS OUTBREAK ASSOCIATED WITH AN UNCHLORINATED FILL-AND-DRAIN WADING POOL --- IOWA, 2001

The report implicated an inadequately disinfected wading pool as the source of the outbreak and presents strategies for preventing such outbreaks.

http://id.medscape.com/43105.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

RESISTANCE OF STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE TO FLUOROQUINOLONES ---UNITED STATES, 1995--1999

Appropriate use of antibiotics and continuous prospective surveillance for antimicrobial resistance are necessary to slow the emergence of fluoroquinolone-resistant pneumococci.

http://id.medscape.com/43106.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

WEEKLY UPDATE: WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY ---UNITED STATES, SEPTEMBER

12--18, 2001

During the week of September 12--18, three human cases of WNV encephalitis were reported, all in Connecticut.

http://id.medscape.com/43107.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

NOTICE TO READERS: FDA APPROVAL FOR A COMBINED HEPATITIS A AND B VACCINE

On May 11, 2001, the Food and Drug Administration licensed a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine (Twinrix) for use in persons aged >/= 18 years.

http://id.medscape.com/43108.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

-- INFECTIONS in MEDICINE --

CMV COLITIS IN AN ELDERLY PATIENT

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis in immunocompetent elderly patients is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening illness.

Infect Med 18(8):396-398, 2001

http://id.medscape.com/43157.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

-- THE AIDS READER --

RECENT ADVANCES IN THE MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF GI AND HEPATIC

DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH HIV: PART 1

Gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases have been a significant problem in HIV-infected patients since the initial cases of HIV/AIDS were diagnosed.

The AIDS Reader 11(7):354-361, 363, 2001

http://id.medscape.com/43168.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

POSTEXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS FOR HIV INFECTION

The overall transmission rate of HIV infection following parenteral occupational exposure is estimated to be approximately 0.3%.

The AIDS Reader 11(8):402-412, 2001

http://id.medscape.com/43200.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

-- SOUTHERN MEDICAL JOURNAL --

PRACTICAL ISSUES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS:

SULFONAMIDES

Drug-induced allergic reactions occur in approximately 5% of the population.

South Med J 94(8):810-812, 2001

http://id.medscape.com/43176.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ORGANISMS ON A BURN UNIT

The incidence of infections due to vancomycin-resistant organisms has significantly increased during the past several years.

South Med J 94(8):810-812, 2001

http://id.medscape.com/43199.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

-- OTHER JOURNALS --

MANAGEMENT OF RESPIRATORY PSEUDOMONAL INFECTIONS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS: MANY STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER

Two organisms account for most pseudomonal infections in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Drug & Ther Perspect 17(18):5-9, 2001

http://id.medscape.com/43193.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

_______________________________________________________________________

___________________________________ NEWS ______________________________

-- THE TERRORIST ATTACK AND ITS CONSEQUENCES --

MEDICAL MEETING PLANNERS DEAL WITH AFTERMATH OF TERRORIST ATTACKS

The chilling effect of the September 11 terrorist attacks on travel is being felt among medical meeting planners who are struggling to adopt new policies to cover cancellations by scheduled presenters.

http://id.medscape.com/43061.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

UN GROUPS FEAR HEALTH 'CATASTROPHE' IN AFGHANISTAN

The UN's Geneva-based emergency relief organizations on Friday sounded an alarm about the health situation in Afghanistan.

http://id.medscape.com/43062.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

FEAR OF ANTHRAX ATTACK BOOSTS SALES OF ANTIBIOTICS

Pharmacists in New York have sold greater than normal amounts of antibiotics for treating anthrax amid rising fear of biological warfare after the attacks on the World Trade Center.

http://id.medscape.com/43140.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

-- VACCINES --

LINK BETWEEN MMR VACCINE AND AUTISM, BOWEL DISEASE UNSUPPORTED

The fears that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is associated with increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease or autism appear to be totally unjustified, according to a review by UK researchers.

http://id.medscape.com/43063.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

DANISH FIRM RECEIVING INTEREST IN SMALLPOX VACCINE

Officials from two countries have contacted Danish biotech firm Bavarian Nordic about its smallpox vaccine, due to growing concern about the use of biological weapons, the company said on Wednesday.

http://id.medscape.com/43131.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

-- TUBERCULOSIS --

OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF TUBERCULOSIS A RISING CONCERN

As the HIV pandemic grows, the incidence of tuberculosis -- the leading cause of death in the world -- also grows.

http://id.medscape.com/42973.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

-- BSE/CJD --

JAPANESE COW CONFIRMED AS FIRST ASIAN BSE CASE

Japan's farm ministry said on Saturday that tests carried out on a cow suspected of having bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) had proved positive, confirming the first outbreak of the brain-wasting disease in Asia.

http://id.medscape.com/42994.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

-- CYSTIC FIBROSIS --

INHALED TOBRAMYCIN CAN CLEAR P. AERUGINOSA FROM AIRWAYS OF CYSTIC

FIBROSIS PATIENTS

Long-term treatment with inhaled tobramycin in patients with cystic fibrosis appears to eradicate airways colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, according to a brief report in the September 22nd issue of The Lancet.

http://id.medscape.com/43044.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

-- INFLUENZA --

AVENTIS TO MEET MOST IMMEDIATE NEEDS FOR FLU VACCINE BY END OF MONTH

Addressing national concerns about an influenza vaccine shortfall, Aventis Pasteur Inc. said on Monday that it would ship at least a partial order of its Fluzone product to every US customer by the end of the month.

http://id.medscape.com/43057.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

RACIAL GAP IN FLU VACCINATION REMAINS IN US, DESPITE MANAGED CARE

Although managed care has increased rates of influenza vaccination among Americans overall, it has not significantly reduced the substantial gap that exists in vaccination rates between whites and African Americans.

http://id.medscape.com/43138.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

-- HIV/AIDS --

AIDS INCREASES THE RISK OF NON-AIDS-RELATED CANCERS

HIV-associated immunosuppression increases the risk of some types of cancer that are not specifically related to AIDS, according to a report in the September 15th American Journal of Epidemiology.

http://id.medscape.com/43125.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

HIV INFECTION SEEN AS CAUSE OF ALS-LIKE CONDITION

Two reports in the September 25th issue of Neurology indicate that HIV infection can cause a reversible form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), supporting the longheld belief that a viral disease may underlie ALS.

http://id.medscape.com/43037.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

PCP PROPHYLAXIS IS UNNECESSARY IN HIV PATIENTS WITH ADEQUATE CD4+ COUNTS

HIV-infected patients with sustained CD4+ cell counts of greater than 200 cells/microliter in response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) do not require Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis.

http://id.medscape.com/43041.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

HIV-1 DRUG RESISTANCE MAY DIMINISH OVER TIME

Certain drug-resistant HIV-1 variants appear less able to replicate than their wild-type counterparts, a finding that might eventually allow effective reintroduction of 'failed' medication, according to UK researchers.

http://id.medscape.com/43070.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

This is only a selection of this week's HIV/AIDS NEWS. Read all the latest news about advances in the field, from Reuters and Medscape Wire.

http://www.medscape.com/hiv/news   

And you can subscribe to the HIV/AIDS Medpulse, as well as other specialty Medpulses, by updating your profile at the following link:

http://www.medscape.com/profile

-- OTHER ID NEWS --

BACTEREMIA CAN BE A SUBSTANTIAL RISK AFTER INVASIVE NONSURGICAL HEART PROCEDURE

For certain patients who undergo angioplasty or another invasive nonsurgical cardiologic procedure, bloodstream infections are a greater risk than has been appreciated, physicians report today in the Archives of Internal Medicine for September 24.

http://id.medscape.com/43043.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

NEW 'HARM REDUCTION' STRATEGIES NEEDED FOR INJECTION DRUG USERS

While needle exchange programs have had much success in reducing needle sharing behaviors in Vancouver, additional interventions are needed to further reduce the risks of HIV infection and overdose associated with injection drug use, according to findings in the August 21st Canadian

Medical Association Journal.

http://id.medscape.com/43139.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

PATHOGENIC FUNGI SURVIVE FOR DAYS OR WEEKS ON HOSPITAL FABRICS AND

PLASTICS

Materials commonly used in hospitals for privacy curtains and apparel can serve as reservoirs for fungi that cause nosocomial infections, according to researchers at the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Cincinnati, Ohio.

http://id.medscape.com/43147.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

FDA ISSUES REVIEW DETERMINATION FOR PATENT EXTENSIONS

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued on Thursday determinations of the regulatory review periods for Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Synercid (quinupristin; dalfopristin), Abbott Laboratories' Kaletra (lopinavir; ritonavir) and Novartis' Rescula (unoprostone isopropyl) in response to four applications seeking patent extensions for those drugs.

http://id.medscape.com/42996.rhtml?srcmp=id-092801

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