A new virulent subtype of the common clone of Staphylococcus aureus, ET3, has emerged, causing a large number of cases of bovine mastitis, occasionally causing zoonotic diseases in humans, and carrying the potential for serious antibiotic-resistant illness. Reuters Health Information
The authors undertook the current study to determine whether Q fever was still occurring in Maritime Canada and whether the decline in cases was real or an artifact of decreased surveillance. Emerging Infectious Diseases
A serious central nervous system (CNS) viral infection during childhood appears to increase the risk of schizophrenia and nonaffective psychoses later in life, according to a report in the January issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. Reuters Health Information
A 22-year-old Chinese man from the central province of Hunan has died of the H5N1 form of bird flu, the Health Ministry said on Monday. Reuters Health Information
Procalcitonin levels at hospital admission predict the severity of infection and the risk of death from community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), according to a report in the February issue of the European Respiratory Journal. Reuters Health Information
Regimens previously recommended for the treatment of isoniazid-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis carry some risk of failure, and such failure can be accompanied by the development of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), according to a small, retrospective study by Korean researchers. Reuters Health Information
Tests of T cell immunity are more accurate for early diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis, according to a report in the February issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. Reuters Health Information
Contrary to findings of previous studies, a prospective study of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients in the UK has revealed no change in visual function following treatment with pegylated interferon alpha. Reuters Health Information
An outbreak of seven measles cases last year in the US has been linked to attendance at an international sporting event, according to a February 22nd article in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Reuters Health Information
Sharing of Escherichia coli strains by humans and their pets is widespread and might be implicated in the transmission of infections, according to Minneapolis-based researchers. Reuters Health Information
