Infection | Page 118 of 144

Lymphoma :: Berlex Oncology Evaluating Combination Therapy for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Berlex Oncology, a business unit of Berlex Laboratories, a U.S. affiliate of Schering AG, Germany (FSE: SCH; NYSE: SHR), today announced that a national clinical study is underway investigating a new approach to treating follicular B-cell lymphoma, a sub-type of non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma (NHL). NHL is the fifth most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 56,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Follicular B-cell lymphoma is an indolent, or slow-growing, type of NHL that comprises approximately 30% of all diagnosed cases.

Hepatitis :: Glaxo eltrombopag improved platelet count in hepatitis C patients with thrombocytopenia

GlaxoSmithKline plc [NYSE:GSK, LSE:GSK] announced results from a global Phase II study of eltrombopag, an investigational non-peptide oral platelet growth factor. In this study of 74 hepatitis C patients with thrombocytopenia, (a condition where the blood has low platelet levels) more than 95% (p< 0.001) of patients treated with the highest dose of eltrombopag (75mg) had increased platelet counts. In addition, 71% - 91% of patients in all treatment groups were able to initiate antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon-α (IFN) and ribavirin, and 65% were able to be maintained on therapy.1 Full results from this Phase II study are being presented today at the 57th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) in Boston, Massachusetts.

Salmonellosis :: CDC investigating salmonella outbreak in US – 171 cases, 19 states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state departments of health and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is investigating an outbreak of infections caused by a type of Salmonella called Salmonella Typhimurium.

Bronchiolitis :: Antibiotics, steroids, or bronchodilators to treat bronchiolitis not required

In a new clinical practice guideline, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) outlines recommendations for diagnosing and managing bronchiolitis, the most common lower respiratory infection in children under age 2. The symptoms of bronchiolitis often mirror those of asthma or bacterial pneumonia, resulting in misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment.

Bird Flu :: New Strain H5N1, Fujian-like virus in China

Scientists have detected a new strain of H5N1 bird flu virus in China and warned it might have started another wave of outbreaks in poultry in Southeast Asia and move deeper into Eurasia. The development of highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses in poultry in Eurasia accompanied with the increase in human infection in 2006 suggests that the virus has not been effectively contained and that the pandemic threat persists.

Health :: Highest Honor awarded to infectious disease experts from Harvard School of Public Health

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) has awarded its highest honor, for the promotion of high public health standards among vulnerable populations, to William H. Foege, former Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and a founder of the Task Force for Child Survival and Development, and Anthony S. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The two recipients have dedicated their lives to protecting people in this country and throughout the world from infectious diseases.

Influenza :: Good medicines for flu, influenza in alternative medicines

“Friends, as the winters are coming, they are bringing influenza with them. So, be prepared to fight the disease and know about it,” Dr. Poonam Singhal. Influenza, also called grippe or flu, an acute contagious viral infection characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract and by fever, chills, muscular pain, and prostration, with cough, cold, sneezings, intense frontal headache, pain and aches in joints, fever (100 deg. F to 105 deg. F), nausea, etc.

HIV :: Increase in HIV among injecting drug users

A report released by the Health Protection Agency shows that around one in 50 Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in the UK are now infected with HIV. This is around twice the level seen at the beginning of the decade. In particular the HIV prevalence amongst those injecting for less than three years has increased since 2002. Increasing evidence suggests that crack cocaine is a major factor.

Hepatitis :: PEG-INTRON, peginterferon and REBETOL, ribavirin in Hepatitis C — Schering-Plough

Schering-Plough reported data from EPIC3, a large ongoing clinical study, showing that retreatment with PEG-INTRON(R) (peginterferon alfa-2b) and REBETOL(R) (ribavirin, USP) combination therapy can result in sustained virologic response(1) (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C who failed previous treatment with any alpha interferon-based combination therapy, including peginterferon regimens. In this study, 56 percent of patients who had undetectable virus (HCV-RNA) after 12 weeks went on to achieve SVR with a 48-week course of therapy. Of the first 1,354 patients retreated, approximately 38 percent had undetectable virus at week 12. Importantly, patients who did not have undetectable virus at 12 weeks had little chance of achieving SVR. Overall, 23 percent of patients achieved SVR.

Mumps :: Mumps activity in US highlights vaccine importance

In the wake of growing number of mumps cases in the US, the American medical authorities have updated their vaccination recommendations & asked for utilizing every opportunity to provide immunization to high-risk populations.