Integrating CDC recommendations for HIV testing into routine screening can identify many HIV-positive patients, affording them treatment earlier in their disease course and minimizing transmission. Medscape HIV/AIDS
Acute hepatitis accounts for 20% of hepatitis C virus cases. The clinical features, differential diagnosis, disease course, diagnostic tests and current approaches to therapy of acute HCV are reviewed. Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology
DAS181, a novel sialidase fusion protein, protects mice against lethal infection with avian influenza H5N1 virus, according to a report in the November 15th issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases. Reuters Health Information
Contrary to common belief, cat scratch disease with musculoskeletal manifestations is not a rare entity, a research team in Israel reports. According to their paper in the December 15th issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, the associated pain is often severe and may become chronic. Reuters Health Information
Emerging data show that HPV vaccines, which are close to 100% effective for preventing cervical cancer, may be efficacious in preventing other disease as well. Medscape Family Medicine
Sixty weeks of treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2a appears to produce a higher rate of sustained virologic response in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B than that usually achieved with the standard treatment duration of 48 weeks. The study is reported in the December issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Reuters Health Information
Results of a study on oral amoxicillin in children with pneumonia should spare children and their families the trauma and pain of cannulation for intravenous antibiotics and reduce hospital stay. Medscape Medical News
In older adults with severe influenza virus infection, treatment with antiviral drugs significantly reduces mortality, even when given 3 to 4 days after symptoms appear, researchers from Canada report in the December 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases. Reuters Health Information
