Respiratory

Latest News

Effect of RSV Infection on Lung Function in Transplant Patients

By

Britt Gambino

Patients with established chronic lung allograft dysfunction may have a higher risk for respiratory syncytial virus infections, but lung function decline does not appear to be significantly affected.

Acute Respiratory Viral Illness Surveillance Possible in Long-Term Care

Active acute respiratory illness surveillance can be implemented among patients and staff in an adult long-term care facility.

North Carolina Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Traced to Hot Tub Display

An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease that has sickened 116 and killed one at the state fair may have started at a hot tub display.

Elderly Patients Able to Complete Latent Tuberculosis Therapy

By

Sheila Jacobs

Treatment for latent tuberculosis infection among patients between age 65 and 78 years has been shown to be relatively well tolerated, with completion rates decreasing according to age.

Millions May Benefit From Treatment to Prevent Active TB

Revised NHANES-based estimate for prevalence of latent TB infection excludes those who report prior tx

Investigational Vaccine to Prevent RSV in Older Patients Gets Breakthrough Status

By

Brian Park, PharmD

Janssen announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for their investigational prophylactic vaccine for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-mediated lower respiratory tract disease in adults aged 60 years and older. RSV is a highly prevalent and contagious respiratory infection. It is the most common cause of bronchitis…

Potential Diagnostic Screening Tools for M Pneumoniae Infection in Children

By

Bryant Moeller

Mycoplasma pneumoniae immunoglobulin M antibody-secreting cells were successfully used to differentiate between those with M pneumoniae infection and carriers in a pediatric population.

Bedaquiline Approved to Treat Adolescent Patients With Pulmonary Multidrug-Resistant TB

By

Brian Park, PharmD

The FDA has approved Sirturo (bedaquiline; Janssen) for use in pediatric patients aged 12 to less than 18 years for MDR-TB.

Rifampin-Resistant TB Infection Linked to HIV Infection, Increased Mortality

By

Zahra Masoud

All forms of rifampin-resistant tuberculosis may be positively associated with HIV and increased mortality.

Diabetes and BMI Associated With Newly Diagnosed Active Tuberculosis

By

Infectious Disease Advisor Contributing Writer

An association has been identified between newly diagnosed active tuberculosis, diabetes, and body mass index.

PPD Shortage Prompts CDC to Issue New Recommendations for TB Testing

By

Diana Ernst, RPh

The CDC announced an expected 3 to 10 month shortage of Aplisol (tuberculin purified protein derivative [PPD], diluted), used as an aid in the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

TB Treatment Monitoring: Molecular Bacterial Load Assay vs Standard Testing

By

Britt Gambino

Compared with standard of care tests and most clinical signs, the molecular bacterial load assay demonstrated higher sensitivity and more rapid turnaround times for monitoring tuberculosis treatment.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Outcomes Similar With Pneumonia or Acute Exacerbation

By

Brandon May

Based on the 2016 International Working Group (IWG) diagnostic criteria for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), outcomes are relatively similar between patients with IPF with pneumonia and patients with an acute IPF exacerbation.

Updated Guidelines for TB Screening, Treatment in Health Care Workers

Guidelines have been updated for screening and treatment for tuberculosis infection among health care personnel.

Efficacy Evaluation for Initial Maintenance Therapy in Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis

By

Sweta Gupta

Oral voriconazole may be more effective than oral itraconazole for initial maintenance therapy in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.1 Currently, there are 4 oral anti-Aspergillus agents available (itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and isavuconazole) and while various studies have evaluated treatments for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis with itraconazole and…

Prospective Surveillance of Enterovirus D68 Improves Epidemiologic Knowledge

By

Zahra Masoud

Prospective surveillance of enterovirus D68 is contributing to a better understanding of its epidemiology and should be continued.

Tuberculosis in the United States in 2018

By

Bradley van Paridon

The incidence of tuberculosis in the United States in 2018 was 2.8 cases per 100,000 persons, which is the lowest ever reported.

New Scale Helps Identify More Serious Cases of Mononucleosis

Scale identifies college students at increased risk for corticosteroid Rx, chronic fatigue syndrome

Internet-Based Communication Training May Reduce Antibiotic Prescribing in RTIs

By

Brandon May

An internet-based training program designed to enhance communication skills in C-reactive protein point of care testing may be helpful in reducing long-term antibiotic prescribing in respiratory tract infections.

Cytomegalovirus Linked to Faster Progression of Cystic Fibrosis

Faster progression to end-stage lung disease observed among patients with CMV IgG positivity