As measles outbreaks increase domestically & internationally, while vaccination uptake decreases in the U.S., experts discuss treatment recommendations & the immunologic consequences of measles infections in patients with rheumatic diseases.
Insight into Infectious Diseases Could Lead to Preventive Vaccines for Some Rheumatic Illnesses
CHICAGO—Medicine is in the middle of an infectious-disease “revolution” that seems almost destined to lead to prevention through immunization of many diseases, including rheumatic illnesses, that never were previously thought to involve transmissible agents, an infectious disease specialist said in a session at the ACR’s 2016 State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium. An array of unlikely and fascinating…
Hospital Workers Often Transfer Germs When Removing Gloves, Gowns
(Reuters Health)—Fluorescent lotion and black light revealed that healthcare workers often contaminate their skin and clothing while removing their protective gear, researchers say. This contamination can spread germs and place the healthcare workers at risk for infection, the authors write in JAMA Internal Medicine. “It was surprising for the participants in the study to see…
Global Life Expectancy Rises, but People Live Sicker for Longer
LONDON (Reuters)—People around the world are living longer, but many are also living sicker lives for longer, according to a study of all major diseases and injuries in 188 countries. General health has improved worldwide, thanks to significant progress against infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, in the past decade and gains in fighting…
37,000 U.S. Infection-Related Deaths Preventable Over 5 Years
(Reuters)—Closer coordination between healthcare facilities and public health departments could save 37,000 U.S. lives over five years by preventing infections from antibiotic-resistant germs and from Clostridium difficile, according to a government report released on Tuesday. Germs that no longer respond to antibiotics cause more than 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths each year in the…
Melioidosis: What Rheumatologists Need to Know
Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is endemic in Southeast Asia and northern Australia.1 In recent years, the incidence of melioidosis has increased worldwide. Septic arthritis is a rare, but well-recognized, manifestation of melioidosis. Case Report A 49-year-old woman with known diabetes was admitted elsewhere with uncontrolled diabetes and fever. She was found to…