Infectious Disease

A new era in hepatitis C treatment began in May 2011, with approval of telaprevir and boceprevir. They are effective only for some patients, but new and better options are well on their way to the clinic.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a peripheral facial neuropathy that causes unilateral lower motor neuron pattern facial weakness. It is associated with a painful erythematous vesicular rash of the ear or nearby areas and/or oropharynx.

To what diagnosis does this painful swollen ear point in an HIV-positive man?

One expert calls it "HIV all over again," but the revolution in hepatitis C treatment has taken place more quickly. And the new drugs act more quickly and effectively.

What disorder do these asymptomatic skin lesions and chest film findings point to in a homosexual man? Test your clinical skills in this week’s 5-question quiz.

CRPS is essentially a clinical diagnosis. Allodynia and hyperalgesia are notable criteria for the diagnosis for type 1 and type 2.

New technology can rapidly diagnose TB and other important bacterial infections, as well as determine the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

This solitary, very pruritic, annular lesion suggests dermatophytosis. KOH preparation verified the presence of Tinea faciei. This infection is usually associated with contact with a new kitten or puppy.

Test your clinical skills in this week’s 5-question quiz.

This clustered grouping of small, shallow erosions surmounting a slightly indurated plaque is characteristic for “cold sores.” Because no vesicles were present and the lesions appeared to be crusting over, the patient was advised to apply an OTC cream (docosanol 10%) per package insert instructions.

Guttate psoriasis often appears in conjunction with an upper respiratory infection, particularly streptococcal tonsillitis, as it did in this patient. This phenomenon is more common in children.

To suggest today that condoms are “obsolete” sounds heretical and like a topic ripe for heated debate. Here, HIV/AIDS blogger Dr Rodger MacArthur lays out the science for your review.

A positive HIV test result is conveyed confidentially and in person by a clinician, nurse, counselor, or other skilled staff.

Key points for primary care physicians from a new study: HIV-positive women are vulnerable to invasive cervical cancer. This finding underscores the need for screening per guidelines and to follow-up on abnormal Pap smears.

Mucormycosis, an angioinvasive yeast infection of the Mucorales order of the class of Zygomycetes, often grows in patients with diabetes mellitus, especially in the presence of diabetic ketoacidosis.

However, such therapy does not alter mortality, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Preseptal cellulitis, myasthenia gravis, squamous cell carcinoma, atheromatous embolism, calciphylaxis are shown here.

CD4+ count and viral load were complementary and were independently associated with increased incidence of AF.

Mucormycosis, an angioinvasive yeast infection of the Mucorales order of the class of Zygomycetes, often grows in patients with diabetes mellitus, especially in the presence of diabetic ketoacidosis.

The American College of Gastroenterology's last update to their gastroesophageal reflux disease guideline was published in 2005, so this February's new synthesis of more current treatment standards is welcome.

A new study reports that infection spread among patients with cystic fibrosis despite stringent infection control measures.

One theory behind a functional cure for HIV infection is based on early, intensive treatment with combined antiretroviral therapy.

Carcinoma?; spirometry to assess chronic cough?; neurofibroma?; laryngeal neoplasm? What do you think?

Take-home advice for primary physicians . . . restrict long-term maintenance erythromycin therapy to subsets of patients to protect against increases in macrolide-resistant bacteria in the broader community. Details here . . .

PCPs for sleep apnea?; mental illness and obesity; norovirus on the rise; global sodium overdose

Spinal problems include epidural abscess, paravertebral muscle atrophy, Chiari I malformation, osteomyelitis/discitis, diastematomyelia, spinal compression, spinal tuberculosis.

Norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among children younger than 5 years.

The Department of Health and Human Services Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents has issued updates of its recommendations.

Mental illness is a risk factor for HIV infection. It brings a number of behavioral correlates that put patients at risk for getting infected. As HIV infection worsens, it begins to affect the brain, and cyclical relationship between the disease and mental illness begins.

Antidepressants and pre-term delivery; annual BP check?; stroke before age 50; niacin questioned; incretins and pancreatic disease