Infectious Disease

Top news of the day from across the health care landscape.

Research may lead to new drugs that boost the immune response to HIV.

Epigenetic changes seen in HIV-positive patients can cause biologic aging.

Engineered immunogens incite the immune system to produce antibodies that show promise for an HIV vaccine.

The CDC recently confirmed man-to-man sexual transmission of the Zika virus.

Injections of new formulation of raltegravir may only be needed every month.

The combination drug Genvoya offers minor benefits in pretreated women and no benefit in pretreated men with HIV.

Tuberculosis is difficult to detect in patients with HIV.

Risk of cardiovascular events increases in HIV patients who defer or interrupt treatment.

DNA screening technology up to 10,000 times more sensitive than current tests for cancer and HIV.

Pharmacists can reduce inappropriate PPI use and help patients discontinue unnecessary PPIs through these interventions.

When historical data dominates, controversy is sure to exist. Such is the case for the use of antibiotics in patients with group A streptococcal pharyngitis.

Jeffrey Goad, PharmD, MPH, FAPhA, discusses vaccine recommendations for immunocompromised patients.

Carbapenems are often considered to have the broadest spectrum of activity among all antibiotic classes.

Solithromycin, the first drug in the fluoroketolide class of macrolide antibiotics, recently demonstrated noninferiority to moxifloxacin in the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.

Those preparing to travel for spring break may approach student pharmacists with questions about the Zika virus.

Invasive fungal disease due to the genus Candida can be life threatening.

Pneumococcal immunization recommendations have changed multiple times in previous years, but the rationale behind the new recommendations may not be clearly understood.

Whether it is complacency, inconvenience, or lack of confidence, some patients just need an extra push to get their annual flu shot.

With flu season well under way, many pharmacy technicians have found themselves directing a myriad of flu-related questions to pharmacists.

The Joint Commission's proposed standard on antimicrobial stewardship means higher demand for infectious diseases pharmacists and physicians, but will there be enough specialists to satisfy it?

Skipping a flu shot may put patients at greater risk for flu-related pneumonia.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently updated the recommended interval between the 13-valeant pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the 23-valeant pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in low-risk elderly patients.

More evidence is needed to figure out how to dose vancomycin in obese patients, but a new protocol could play a role.

Elias Cachine, PharmD, BCPS (AQ-10) explains what steps pharmacists should take when treating infections in geriatric patients.

Research may improve the diagnosis of infectious and autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and HIV.

Allergan's ceftaroline fosamil is now approved for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia with a shorter infusion time.

Data tracking may someday become a key component in limiting disease spread.

The FDA has fast-tracked Cempra's solithromycin to treat community acquired bacterial pneumonia.

Infectious diseases pharmacotherapy is a challenging subject.