Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha treatment modestly impairs the antibody response to influenza vaccination, but allows most patients to achieve a protective titer, according to a report in the May issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Reuters Health Information
The results of a new study indicate that 6% of newborns with confirmed hearing impairment have congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. In most of these cases, the infection was only picked up after an abnormal hearing screening result. Reuters Health Information
Rhodococcus equi is a rare opportunistic infection that may require chronic treatment. The current study describes the clinical presentation and management of patients with R equi infection. Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology
Postvoid residual urine volume is not associated with the risk for lower urinary tract infection in nursing home residents, according to a report in the May issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Reuters Health Information
An analysis of contemporary avian H7 influenza viruses from the North American lineage suggests that they have developed receptor binding properties similar to those of human influenza viruses. Reuters Health Information
North Korea has greatly reduced malaria infections at home but mosquitoes carrying the disease are crossing the heavily armed border and infecting hundreds each year in the South, a provincial governor said on Tuesday. Reuters Health Information
Prophylactic inhalation of aerosolized liposomal amphotericin B is an effective way to prevent invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in high-risk patients with chemotherapy-induced prolonged neutropenia, research shows. Reuters Health Information
Researchers have identified several agents that repel mosquitos up to three times longer than N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), the most widely used agent in the world, according to a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences for May 27. Reuters Health Information
High rates of false-positive tuberculin skin test (TST) conversions are common among US Army personnel, particularly after overseas deployments, investigators report in the June issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Reuters Health Information
SAFE (Sexual Awareness for Everyone) was significantly effective in reducing recurrent sexually transmitted infections in African American and Mexican American teens. Medscape Medical News
