Annals of internal medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Azithromycin compared with penicillin G benzathine for treatment of incubating syphilis.
Preventive therapy is an important element of syphilis control efforts. No currently recommended, single-dose alternatives to penicillin G benzathine are available for treatment of incubating syphilis. ⋯ A single 1.0-g dose of azithromycin seems to be efficacious for prevention of syphilis in persons exposed to infected sexual partners.
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Review Case Reports
Fire ant attacks on residents in health care facilities: a report of two cases.
Imported fire ants now infest more than 310 million acres in the United States and Puerto Rico. Colonies have been found in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Virginia. Available reports suggest that each year, fire ants sting more than 50% of persons in endemic areas, resulting in a variety of medical consequences. ⋯ The presence of fire ants in occupied dwellings indicates the presence of active fire ant colonies in the immediate proximity. Efforts to eradicate these insects should be undertaken immediately, especially if immobile persons are present. These persons should be considered at risk for fire ant attacks as long as the ants are present.
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Intravenous therapy in the outpatient and home settings is commonplace for many diseases and nutritional disorders. Few data are available on the rate of and risk factors for bloodstream infection among patients receiving such therapy. ⋯ Bloodstream infections seem to be infrequent among outpatients receiving infusions through central and midline catheters. However, the rate of infection increases with bone marrow transplantation, parenteral nutrition, infusion therapy in a hospital clinic or physician's office, and use of multilumen catheters. Compared with implanted ports or peripherally inserted catheters, centrally inserted venous catheters may confer greater risk for bloodstream infection.