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Antifungal Prophylaxis in Cancer Patients

By Rod Quilitz, Pharm.D., BCOP

June 6th, 2014

Rod Quilitz, PharmD, speaks about antifungal prophylaxis in cancer patients. Since these patients are largely immunocompromised, they are more susceptible to fungal infections, both by irritating manifestations like mucocutaneous candidiasis and potentially life-threatening invasive systemic fungal infections. However, antifungal medications can cause toxicity and drug interactions that must be balanced with the risk of infection in these patients. He covers candidiasis and aspergillosis, and the agents used to treat and prevent them. He also covers contraindications to antifungal prophylaxis.

Vaccine Health Disparities in the United States

By Jamie Morano, MD

June 6th, 2014

Dr. Jamie Morano speaks about health disparities regarding vaccination in the US and public health strategies to improve vaccination rates in the US population. She discusses the re-emergence of vaccine preventable diseases in the US, including measles and pertussis. She also speaks about the misconceptions about severity of these diseases and the risks/benefits of vaccines. She reviews the adult immunization schedule and common illnesses like pneumonia and influenza.

Review of Dermatology in HIV Infection

By Nancy Rihana, MD, FACP

June 6th, 2014

Dr. Nancy Rihana presents a review of dermatological manifestations and conditions associated with HIV infection. While opportunistic infections and Kaposi’s sarcoma have decreased in incidence with the advent of HAART, inflammatory skin conditions remain at constant levels of incidence. Reviewing the various cutaneous pathologies that occur in HIV-infected patients may prevent the clinician from stopping successful HAART due to suspicion for drug allergy. Dr. Rihana reviews exanthems expected at different CD4 counts, including syphilis, staphylococcus infections, scabies, lymphoma, fungal infections, shingles, psoriasis, and skin cancers among other conditions.

Beta-Lactam Allergy: The True Clinical Implication

By Guest Contributor

April 11th, 2014

Queenet Ibekweh, PharmD, speaks about the clinical implications of beta-lactam antibiotic (penicillin, carbapenem and cephalosporin) allergies. She discusses the different pathways of hypersensitivity reactions, cross-reactivity, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of penicillin induced adverse drug reactions. She also discusses the use of beta-lactam antibiotics in patients with documented penicillin allergies.

Screening and Prophylaxis Strategies for Recipients of Solid Organ Transplants

By Sally Alrabaa, MBBS

April 11th, 2014

Dr. Sally Alrabaa speaks about evaluation and management of infectious diseases in recipients of solid organ transplants. Multiple studies show improved outcomes with screening and prophylaxis for infectious disease in this population, especially for opportunistic pathogens. Important screening items include history of exposures, laboratory screening for viruses, colonization with multidrug resistant bacteria and TB, and fungal and parasite screening based on geography and exposure history. She covers infectious disease contraindications to solid organ transplantation, including active TB and HIV infections. Finally, she covers prophylaxis strategies like vaccinations, peri-operative antimicrobials, and lifestyle modifications to prevent infection.

Cryptococcus Gattii

By Joseph Halliday, DO

April 11th, 2014

Dr. Joseph Halliday discusses an emerging fungal pathogen, C. gattii and outbreaks in the Northwest US and British Columbia. C. gattii is an encapsulated yeast most often seen in immunocompromised patients, but epidemic varieties infect immunocompetent patients as well. He also discusses the presence of endemic C. gattii, clinical manifestations of this fungal infection, diagnosis, management, and complications.

Dates in ID: 20th Century Edition

By Richard L. Oehler, MD

April 11th, 2014

What disease caused a pandemic in 1968? When was the MMR vaccine first introduced for pediatric use? What was the Ebola virus named after? Keep watching and find out! Dr. Richard Oehler hosts an entertaining review of the history of infectious diseases in a game show format. Each question is followed by a short historical snippet to improve your knowledge of Infectious Disease trivia!

Zoonoses of Exotic Pets

By Lily Jones

February 26th, 2014

Dr. Lily Jones speaks about zoonoses from exotic pets – specifically select bacterial infections and their routes of transmission. She also discusses patients who are at high risk for zoonotic infections and their prevention. She speaks about infections associated with horses, deer, sheep, cattle, goats, birds, fish, reptiles, and exotic mammalian pets. She presents specific cases studies on Q fever, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Typhus, and Mycobacterium marinum infections.

Rapid Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases

By Richard L. Oehler, MD

February 14th, 2014

Dr. Richard Oehler provides an update on rapid diagnostic techniques for infectious diseases in a clinical vignette format. He discusses important signs, symptoms, and key rapid laboratory tests that can help a clinician make a rapid diagnosis and start treatment early in the disease. He also lists common pathogens and treatment strategies for each illness. He covers community acquired pneumonia, C. difficile, endocarditis, acute meningitis, necrotizing fasciitis and more!

Culture Negative Endocarditis

By Mitsuya Katayama, MD

February 12th, 2014

Dr. Mitsuya Katayama discusses a case of culture negative endocarditis. He speaks about diagnostic criteria, common pathogens, epidemiology, risk factors. Culture negative endocarditis can be associated with previous antibiotic use, fastidious bacteria, nonbacterial infection, autoimmune conditions, valvular surgery, malignancy, and underlying heart or valve disease. Dr. Katayama focuses on infectious causes of culture negative endocarditis, mainly C. burnetii and Bartonella species. He touches on fungal endocarditis and treatment strategies for different categories of patients.