Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone for hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in Chile: a double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial.
Andes virus (ANDV)-related hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) has a 35% case fatality rate in Chile and no specific treatment. In an immunomodulatory approach, we evaluated the efficacy of intravenous methylprednisolone for HCPS treatment, through a parallel-group, placebo-controlled clinical trial. ⋯ NCT00128180.
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Review
Review of infectious diseases applications for iPhone/iPad and Android: from pocket to patient.
The explosion of medical applications (apps) in the Apple and Google Play app stores has made it increasingly difficult to find relevant and reliable infectious diseases (ID) apps. Apple created a section called "Apps for Healthcare Professionals"; however, several ID apps are missing. Google Play's ID category has several non-ID apps. ⋯ Over 1200 apps were identified. We applied several exclusion criteria to identify adult/pediatric apps with data from trustworthy sources that were not reviewed within the last year. Twelve new ID apps were identified with a comprehensive list of 24 ID apps to assist healthcare professionals at the point of care.
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Concern regarding the QTc interval in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients has been growing in recent years, and cases of prolonged QTc interval and torsades de pointes have been described in HIV-infected patients on methadone therapy. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with long QTc interval in a cohort of opioid-dependent HIV-infected patients on methadone maintenance therapy. ⋯ The prevalence of prolonged QTc interval in opioid-dependent HIV-infected patients on methadone maintenance therapy is high. Risk factors for prolongation of the QTc interval are chronic hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis, higher methadone doses, and being ART-naive. Thus, electrocardiographic monitoring is required to minimize cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this specific HIV group.
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The Hajj is the oldest and largest annual mass gathering in the world and may increase the risk of spread of respiratory viruses. ⋯ This study suggests a rapid acquisition of respiratory viruses among pilgrims during their stay in the KSA, most notably rhinovirus, and highlights the potential of spreading these infections in the pilgrims' home countries upon their return.