The Journal of infectious diseases
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We examined attendance at sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics and the prevalence, distribution, and associated demographic and behavioral factors of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a population survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles. ⋯ Numbers and types of sexual partnerships remain the dominant individual and population risk factors for STI acquisition. Combined population behavior and surveillance data demonstrate the high PPB for STIs attributable to key risk factors. PPB may be a useful indicator of epidemic "phase" and may help target resources and guide prevention strategies.
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Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB), but no study has assessed how this risk changes with time since HIV seroconversion. ⋯ The increase in the risk of TB so soon after infection with HIV was unexpected. Current predictive models of TB incidence underestimate the effect of HIV infection in areas where TB is endemic.
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The study sought to determine the relationship between cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia during early infancy and clinical and laboratory outcome events, particularly hearing loss in infants with symptomatic congenital CMV infection involving the central nervous system (CNS). ⋯ In children with symptomatic congenital CMV infection involving the CNS, viremia during early infancy is associated with hearing loss and systemic CMV disease.
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Corticoids normalize leukocyte production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in septic shock.
A regulatory loop between macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and glucocorticoids has been characterized in animal models. Renewed interest in glucocorticoid treatment for septic shock offers an opportunity to analyze this regulatory loop in humans. ⋯ To our knowledge, MIF is the first proinflammatory cytokine in which ex vivo release by circulating cells is enhanced during sepsis. Glucocorticoid treatment normalized the release of MIF by circulating PBMCs from patients with septic shock.
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Moxifloxacin is a quinolone antimicrobial that has potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. To optimize moxifloxacin dose and dose regimen, pharmacodynamic antibiotic-exposure targets associated with maximal microbial kill and complete suppression of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis must be identified. ⋯ A moxifloxacin dose of 800 mg/day is likely to achieve excellent M. tuberculosis microbial kill and to suppress drug resistance. However, tolerability of this higher dose is still unknown.