Infectious Diseases Clinics of North AmericaThis is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader, such as GoogleReader, or to display this data on your own website or blog. Subscribe to this data using MyMedWorm.Subscribe to this data using GoogleReader.Subscribe to this data using Bloglines.Subscribe to this data using MyYahoo.

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IndexEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: journals

Current Use for Old Antibacterial Agents: Polymyxins, Rifamycins, and AminoglycosidesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article reviews three classes of antibacterial agents that are uncommonly used in bacterial infections and therefore can be thought of as special-use agents. The polymyxins are reserved for gram-negative bacilli that are resistant to virtually all other classes of drugs. Rifampin is used therapeutically, occasionally as a companion drug in treatment of refractory gram-positive coccal infections, especially those involving foreign bodies. Rifaximin is a new rifamycin that is a strict enteric antibiotic approved for treatment of traveler's diarrhea and is showing promise as a possible agent for refractory Clostridium di...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Luke F. Chen, Donald Kaye Source Type: journals

The Newer FluoroquinolonesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article reviews fluoroquinolone pharmacology, pharmacodynamic principles, and fluoroquinolone resistance mechanisms, highlighting recent trends in the epidemiology of fluoroquinolone resistance among gram-negative organisms and Streptococcus pneumonia. Important fluoroquinolone safety concerns are discussed, along with indications for the most commonly used fluoroquinolones—ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Maureen K. Bolon Source Type: journals

Macrolides, Ketolides, and Glycylcyclines: Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Telithromycin, TigecyclineEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The advanced macrolides, azithromycin and clarithromycin, and the ketolide, telithromycin, are structural analogs of erythromycin. They have several distinct advantages when compared with erythromycin, including enhanced spectrum of activity, more favorable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, once-daily administration, and improved tolerability. Clarithromycin and azithromycin are used extensively for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and Helicobacter pylori–associated peptic ulcer disease. Telithromycin is approved for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Severe h...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Jerry M. Zuckerman, Fozia Qamar, Bartholomew R. Bono Source Type: journals

Newer Beta-lactam Antibiotics: Doripenem, Ceftobiprole, Ceftaroline, and CefepimeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article reviews the new beta-lactam (β-lactam) antibiotics doripenem, ceftobiprole, and ceftaroline. It covers pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, dosing, in vitro activities, safety, and clinical trial results. Doripenem (Doribax) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal and urinary tract infections. At this writing, ceftobiprole is under review by the FDA for approval based on results of phase 3 clinical trials, whereas at least one phase 3 clinical trial of ceftaroline has been completed. The article also reviews recent data suggest...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Jose A. Bazan, Stanley I. Martin, Kenneth M. Kaye Source Type: journals

Antibiotics for Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections: Vancomycin, Teicoplanin, Quinupristin/Dalfopristin, Oxazolidinones, Daptomycin, Dalbavancin, and TelavancinEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
An overview of the mechanism of action, dosing, clinical indications, and toxicities of the glycopeptide vancomycin is provided. The emerging gram-positive bacterial resistance to antimicrobials and its mechanisms are reviewed. Strategies to control this emergence of resistance are expected to be proposed. Newer antimicrobial agents that have activity against vancomycin-resistant organisms are now available and play a critical role in the treatment of life-threatening infections. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Michael D. Nailor, Jack D. Sobel Source Type: journals

Topical Antibacterial AgentsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article reviews the literature on selected indications for these agents and provides in-depth examination of specific agents for the prophylaxis and treatment of skin and wound infections. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Peter A. Lio, Elaine T. Kaye Source Type: journals

Strategies and New Developments in the Management of Bacterial MeningitisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The principles of antimicrobial therapy for acute bacterial meningitis include use of agents that penetrate well into cerebrospinal fluid and attain appropriate cerebrospinal fluid concentrations, are active in purulent cerebrospinal fluid, and are bactericidal against the infecting pathogen. Recommendations for treatment of bacterial meningitis have undergone significant evolution in recent years, given the emergence of pneumococcal strains that are resistant to penicillin. Clinical experience with use of newer agents is limited to case reports, but these agents may be necessary to consider in patients who are failing sta...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Justine Miranda, Allan R. Tunkel Source Type: journals

Use of Antibacterial Agents in Renal FailureEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article provides background information on the pharmacokinetics of antibacterial agents in patients who have normal and impaired renal function. Tables are provided to allow quick determination of appropriate dosages for varying degrees of renal failure. The use of serum levels; newer strategies for cefazolin, vancomycin and aminoglycoside dosing; methods of dialysis and associated antibiotics dosage adjustments, and antibiotic toxicity in renal failure are reviewed. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Brett Gilbert, Paul Robbins, Lawrence L. Livornese Source Type: journals

Antibacterial Agents in the ElderlyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Older patients disproportionately suffer the burden of infection in the community and in health care facilities. The rational approach to antimicrobial therapy for older patients with infection requires an appreciation and understanding of the complex immunologic, epidemiologic, pharmacologic, and microbiologic factors that influence the manifestations and consequences of infection in this group. Specific recommendations for common infectious syndromes must take into account the unique needs of older patients and should be tailored for each individual case. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Stephen Weber, Emily Mawdsley, Donald Kaye Source Type: journals

Antibacterial Agents in PediatricsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article describes the pharmacologic characteristics and therapeutic use of the most commonly prescribed antibacterials for pediatric patients. Newer agents currently under clinical investigation are discussed as well. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Susana Chavez-Bueno, Terrence L. Stull Source Type: journals

Controlling Antimicrobial Resistance in the HospitalEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article describes different infection control and antibiotic management strategies that can be used to control antimicrobial resistance in hospital settings. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Deverick J. Anderson, Keith S. Kaye Source Type: journals

Pathogens Resistant to Antibacterial AgentsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article reviews the epidemiology, molecular mechanisms of resistance, and treatment options for pathogens resistant to antimicrobial drugs. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Luke F. Chen, Teena Chopra, Keith S. Kaye Source Type: journals

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Antibacterial AgentsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article reviews pharmacodynamics of antibacterial drugs, which can be used to optimize treatment strategies, prevent emergence of resistance and rationalize the determination of antimicrobial susceptibility. Important pharmacodynamic concepts include the requirements for bactericidal therapy for endocarditis and meningitis, for synergistic combinations to treat enterococcal endocarditis or to shorten the course of antimicrobial therapy, for obtaining maximal plasma concentration/minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratios that are greater than 10 or 24 hour-area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC)/MIC ratios ...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Matthew E. Levison, Julie H. Levison Source Type: journals

Antibacterial Susceptibility Testing in the Clinical LaboratoryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article familiarizes the clinician with the principles of bacterial susceptibility testing and reporting to facilitate communication with the clinical microbiology laboratory. As resistance continues to emerge among a wide range of clinically relevant bacteria, the complexity of this communication increases. This updated version provides an overview of the important susceptibility concerns for most commonly isolated bacterial pathogens. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Thomas L. Holland, Christopher W. Woods, Maria Joyce Source Type: journals

PrefaceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The discipline of infectious diseases is one of the most rapidly changing fields in medicine. In most specialties of medicine, diseases remain relatively stable, and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches change slowly. In infectious diseases, the syndromes change with the emergence of new organisms, development of resistant pathogens, and resurgence of infections that have virtually disappeared. Clearly, the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches must change rapidly. In no area of medicine does the knowledge and art of clinical practice change as rapidly as in the use of antimicrobial agents. (Source: Infectious Diseases Cl...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Keith S. Kaye, Donald Kaye Source Type: journals

Forthcoming IssuesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: journals

ContentsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 12, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: journals

IndexEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: journals

Clostridium difficile Infection in the Intensive Care UnitEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article seeks to provide a broad understanding of CDI in the intensive care unit, with special emphasis on risk factor identification, treatment options, and disease prevention. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: David J. Riddle, Erik R. Dubberke Source Type: journals

Infection Prevention in the Intensive Care UnitEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Hospital-acquired infections have profound social, economic, and personal costs to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Numerous risk factors, such as poor nutrition and hyperglycemia, directly involve patients. Meanwhile, hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and appropriate hospital staffing can impact ICU infection rates. A multidirectional approach—including continuing staff education, minimizing risk factors, and implementing guidelines established by national committees—is necessary to decrease infections such as catheter-related bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumo...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Mary C. Barsanti, Keith F. Woeltje Source Type: journals

Antimicrobial Stewardship: Application in the Intensive Care UnitEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Critical-care units can be barometers for appropriate antimicrobial use. There, life and death hang on empirical antimicrobial therapy for treatment of infectious diseases. With increasing therapeutic empiricism, triple-drug, broad-spectrum regimens are often necessary, but cannot be continued without fear of the double-edged sword: a life-saving intervention or loss of life following Clostridium difficile infection, infection from a resistant organism, nephrotoxicity, cardiac toxicity, and so on. While broadened initial empirical therapy is considered a standard, it must be necessary, dosed according to pharmacokinetic-ph...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Robert C. Owens Source Type: journals

New Antimicrobial Agents for Use in the Intensive Care UnitEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article reviews select antibacterial agents and an antifungal agent in late stages of clinical development that appear to have potential for treatment of infections in the ICU. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: David J. Ritchie, Bryan T. Alexander, Patrick M. Finnegan Source Type: journals

Acute Infective EndocarditisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Acute infective endocarditis is a complex disease with changing epidemiology and a rapidly evolving knowledge base. To consistently achieve optimal outcomes in the management of infective endocarditis, the clinical team must have an understanding of the epidemiology, microbiology, and natural history of infective endocarditis, as well as a grasp of guiding principles of diagnosis and medical and surgical management. The focus of this review is acute infective endocarditis, though many studies of diagnosis and treatment do not differentiate between acute and subacute disease, and indeed many principles of diagnosis and mana...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Jay R. McDonald Source Type: journals

Fungal Infections in the ICUEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Pulmonologists and intensivists often care for patients at risk for infections caused by both Aspergillus and Candida. Infection with either can lead to severe life-threatening disease, particularly in immunosuppressed patients, with mortality rates for invasive fungal disease often exceeding 30%. For both organisms, multiple diagnostic challenges remain while newer diagnostic modalities are being developed and tested. Fortunately, therapeutic paradigms are shifting, and clinicians have many new agents in their armamentarium for combating fungal infection. Given the rapidly changing literature in this broad area, it is imp...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Marya D. Zilberberg, Andrew F. Shorr Source Type: journals

Central Nervous System Infections: Meningitis and Brain AbscessEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article reviews the common infectious etiologies of central nervous system infections, especially bacterial meningitis and brain abscess, and their subsequent management in the intensive care unit. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Hitoshi Honda, David K. Warren Source Type: journals

Intra-abdominal Sepsis: Newer Interventional and Antimicrobial TherapiesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Complicated intra-abdominal infections are the second most common cause of septic death in the intensive care unit. Although there have been improvements in the outcome of sepsis regardless of etiology, this is even more striking for intra-abdominal infections. From observation, recent advances in interventional techniques, including more aggressive use of percutaneous drainage of abscesses and use of “open abdomen” techniques for peritonitis, have significantly affected the morbidity and mortality of physiologically severe complicated intra-abdominal infection. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Joseph S. Solomkin, John Mazuski Source Type: journals

Severe Soft Tissue InfectionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Severe skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) frequently require management in the ICU, in part related to associated septic shock or toxic shock syndrome or associated organ failure. Four fundamental management principles are key to a successful outcome in caring for patients who have severe SSTIs, including (1) early diagnosis and differentiation of necrotizing versus nonnecrotizing SSTI, (2) early initiation of appropriate empiric broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy with consideration of risk factors for specific pathogens and mandatory coverage for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), (3) source contro...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Lena M. Napolitano Source Type: journals

Bloodstream Infection in the ICUEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article discusses the clinical importance of BSI, including hospital- and community-acquired episodes in the ICU. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Jordi Vallés, Ricard Ferrer Source Type: journals

Approach to the Immunocompromised Host with Infection in the Intensive Care UnitEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Despite significant advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infection in the immunocompromised host, it remains a major cause of morbidity, increased length of stay, total costs, and of course mortality. Intensive care mortality rates are significantly higher among immunocompromised hosts in part due to the higher incidence of infection severity. The superimposition of the compromised host defenses and critical illness makes the detection and management of infections in such patients more difficult, but crucial toward salvaging patient outcome. Moreover, although there is a rapidly increasing evidence base ...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Peter K. Linden Source Type: journals

Management of Ventilator-Associated PneumoniaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) management depends on the interaction between the infective agent, the host response, and the antimicrobial drug used. After the pathogen reaches the lungs, two outcomes are possible: either the microorganisms are eliminated by the host immune system, or they overcome the immune system and cause pulmonary infection. When a patient is thought to have VAP, two steps are strongly recommended: etiologic diagnostic testing and the immediate initiation of antibiotics. The daily management of VAP remains a challenge for physicians in the ICU. In recent years, a more dynamic approach has evolv...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Emili Diaz, Marta Ulldemolins, Thiago Lisboa, Jordi Rello Source Type: journals

Severe Community-Acquired PneumoniaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article reviews epidemiologic, microbiologic, therapeutic, preventive, and outcomes data in patients who have CAP in the ICU. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Marcos I. Restrepo, Antonio Anzueto Source Type: journals

The Management of Severe Sepsis and Septic ShockEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The diagnosis and management of severe sepsis and septic shock is a complex and dynamic process. Newer evidence-based interventions are constantly being developed and implemented with the purpose of improving morbidity and mortality. Current investigations are being performed in hospital environments to determine the change in behaviors and clinical impact with the most recent recommendations. The use of standardized treatment protocols in addition to newer diagnostic and treatment modalities in patients who have severe sepsis and septic shock can continue to improve patient-related outcomes and the damaging effect of thes...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Matthew R. Morrell, Scott T. Micek, Marin H. Kollef Source Type: journals

Approach to the Febrile Patient in the ICUEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Fever is a normal adaptive brain response to infectious and noninfectious causes involving a cytokine-mediated response, the generation of acute phase reactants, and the activation of numerous physiologic, endocrinologic and immunologic systems. Ninety percent of patients with severe sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU) will experience fever during their hospitalization, while the half of the new detected febrile episodes are of noninfectious origin. In the ICU, fever should be treated in cardiorespiratory and neurosurgical patients and in those in whom temperature exceeds 40°C (104°F). Antipyretic therapy must be jus...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: George Dimopoulos, Matthew E. Falagas Source Type: journals

PrefaceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Despite advances in medical practice, serious infections, including severe sepsis and septic shock, remain responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. In the United States, approximately 450,000 cases of severe sepsis and septic shock occur each year, with an estimated mortality in excess of 30%. Many other serious infections also require intensive care, however, without the development of severe sepsis and septic shock. Additionally, newly acquired nosocomial infections are known to complicate the hospitalizations of critically ill patients, leading to greater morbidity and health care costs. Several decades of i...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Marin H. Kollef, Scott T. Micek Source Type: journals

Forthcoming IssuesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: journals

ContentsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - August 8, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: journals

IndexEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: journals

Meta-analyses on Pediatric Infections and VaccinesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
More than 200 meta-analyses have been published about immunizations and pediatric infections. This extraordinary number reflects the huge amount of research related to these two important scientific fields. This interest is not surprising for two reasons: (1) pediatric infections continue to represent one of the most significant causes of mortality in children worldwide, accounting for approximately 60% of childhood deaths; and (2) vaccines are among the most effective means of preventive medicine available today, having helped humanity achieve substantial victories against numerous infectious threats. Meta-analyses have c...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Alexandros P. Grammatikos, Elpis Mantadakis, Matthew E. Falagas Source Type: journals

Meta-analysis on Surgical InfectionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Surgical infections include surgical site infections and other infections requiring surgical intervention to resolve along with antibiotic treatment. The authors sought to conduct a review focusing on the application of the technique of meta-analyses in the study of surgical infections. Ninety meta-analyses were included in the review, which mainly focus on the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis and on the comparison of different techniques and procedures or therapeutic regimens for the treatment of surgical infections. The majority concern surgical infections in the field of abdominal surgery. Although surgical site infecti...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Dimitrios K. Matthaiou, George Peppas, Matthew E. Falagas Source Type: journals

Systematic Reviews in Malaria: Global Policies Need Global ReviewsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article highlights systematic reviews of malaria research and what has been learned about applying methods of research synthesis in this particular infectious disease over the last 15 years. It illustrates how systematic reviews have been used to guide policy, shows what has been learned about synthesizing research in this area, and reflects on how best to maximize their uptake in policy and practice. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Paul Garner, Hellen Gelband, Patricia Graves, Katharine Jones, Harriet MacLehose, Piero Olliaro, on behalf of the Editorial Board, Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Source Type: journals

Meta-analyses in Prevention and Treatment of Urinary Tract InfectionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common, and complications result in significant morbidity and mortality and also consume resources. This overview summarizes the current evidence for the prevention and treatment of UTI in adults and children from meta-analyses. The quality and applicability of this evidence in clinical practice for different patient groups is discussed. Suggestions are made for future research, because it is apparent that there are evidence gaps for particular subgroups of people. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Philip Masson, Sandra Matheson, Angela C. Webster, Jonathan C. Craig Source Type: journals

Meta-analyses on the Prevention and Treatment of Respiratory Tract InfectionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article evaluates published meta-analyses dealing with the prevention and/or treatment of respiratory tract infections of bacterial origin in adult immunocompetent patients. The infections studied were otitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis/tonsillopharyngitis, acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, community-acquired pneumonia, and nosocomial pneumonia (including ventilator-associated pneumonia). (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ilias I. Siempos, George Dimopoulos, Matthew E. Falagas Source Type: journals

Meta-analyses on Viral HepatitisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article summarizes meta-analyses on interventions for acute and chronic viral hepatitis. The primary focus is on interventions assessed in systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized trials. The interventions assessed include active and passive immunization for hepatitis A and B and treatments for hepatitis B and C. The results of meta-analyses on conventional interferon-alpha, pegylated interferon alpha, lamivudine, adefovir, and interferon plus ribavirin are summarized. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Lise L. Gluud, Christian Gluud Source Type: journals

Meta-analyses on Behavioral Interventions to Reduce the Risk of Transmission of HIVEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Several behavioral interventions focused in safe sex practices have been implemented in an attempt to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. In this article we review relevant meta-analyses based on studies conducted in heterosexual adults and adolescents, in minority populations, in men who have sex with men, in injection drug users, and in HIV-infected individuals. We discuss the effectiveness of behavioral interventions implemented in the individual, group, and community levels. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Paschalis I. Vergidis, Matthew E. Falagas Source Type: journals

Meta-analytical Studies on the Epidemiology, Prevention, and Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus InfectionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
HIV/AIDS remains a global health problem of unprecedented dimensions. An abundance of studies have been conducted on the epidemiology of HIV infection, therapeutic options, and outcomes. Original research data have been combined and critically appraised through meta-analyses. In this article we review several meta-analyses published on HIV infection/AIDS since the year 2000 with a focus on risk factors for HIV acquisition, epidemiology, mother-to-child transmission, antiretroviral therapy, and efficacy of vaccinations in HIV-positive individuals. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Paschalis I. Vergidis, Matthew E. Falagas, Davidson H. Hamer Source Type: journals

Combination Antimicrobial Treatment Versus Monotherapy: The Contribution of Meta-analysesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Interactions between antibiotic combinations predicted by in vitro studies are not consistently reflected in clinical trials. Beta-lactam–aminoglycoside combinations, synergistic in vitro, do not confer improved survival or cure and do not prevent breakthrough infections. These conclusions are derived from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized, controlled trials. Often, pertinent clinical outcomes could not be assessed meaningfully in individual randomized trials, but their compilation leads to strong conclusions relating to outcomes that affect the individual patient. Systematic reviews have made pos...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Mical Paul, Leonard Leibovici Source Type: journals

Meta-analyses on the Optimization of the Duration of Antimicrobial Treatment for Various InfectionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
A mainstay of antibiotic treatment is its optimal duration for the management of infections. Many randomized control trials have been conducted on these issues during the last years. The results from these randomized control trials have been analyzed by various meta-analyses. To address the role of meta-analyses that compared a short-duration with a long-duration of the same antibiotic treatment for various infections a search was made in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for relevant meta-analyses. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Petros I. Rafailidis, Anastasios I. Pitsounis, Matthew E. Falagas Source Type: journals

An Overview of Meta-analyses of Diagnostic Tests in Infectious DiseasesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This review summarizes meta-analyses evaluating the accuracy of diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. Systematic searches identified 55 meta-analyses that satisfied inclusion criteria of reporting diagnostic accuracy of an index test compared with a reference test. All reviews were assessed for methods and reporting. The overall assessment underlined problems in several key steps: reporting detailed information from primary studies about the study design and patient characteristics, reference and index tests characteristics, and review methods. The execution and reporting of systematic reviews of diagnostic tests need ...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Mario Cruciani, Carlo Mengoli Source Type: journals

Identifying Risk Factors for Infections: The Role of Meta-analysesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Systemic reviews and meta-analyses of risk factors for infections are assuming greater importance in influencing policy makers worldwide. Meta-analyses of risk factors for infections should strictly follow guidelines for meta-analysis of observational studies. A study protocol should be written in advance, completed literature searches should be performed, and studies selected in a reproducible and objective fashion. Biologic plausibility should be addressed. Reported findings should be interpreted with caution, taking into account the limitations of methodologic aspects of risk factors studies. (Source: Infectious Disease...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - April 24, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Evelina Tacconelli, Maria A. Cataldo Source Type: journals