Infectious Disease - News & Articles

Predicting decompensation during severe acute exacerbation of hepatitis B

In a study involving 37 patients with chronic hepatitis B infections, a serum bilirubin level > 5 mg/dL was predictive of progression to hepatic failure and liver-related death.

Three risk factors for mortality in the elderly with pneumonia identified

In a study involving 1607 patients > 65 years of age with community- or healthcare-acquired pneumonia, pre-morbid ambulation impairment (OR=2.61), hospitalization within 30 days of acquiring pneumonia (OR=1.93), and absence of cough and purulent sputum (OR=1.47) were shown to be associated with a significant increase in 30-day mortality.

Tobacco and alcohol abuse in HPV-positive patients increase risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

In a retrospective study involving 225 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and 224 matched controls, it was shown that patients who were HPV-positive and smoked cigarettes or smoked cigarettes plus consumed alcohol were at increased risk for ESCC than patients who were HPV-negative (OR = 2.22 and 10.31, respectively).