All GLG News Analyses Filed Under: Infectious Disease

Nosocomial pneumonia secondary to MRSA is serious infection with increasing incidence and high mortality.This study showed that high dose Vancomycin did NOT decrease mortality and may be associated with higher renal toxicityAlternatives are needed since Vancomycin has poor lung tissue penetration.

1. MRSA pneumonia is an increasingly common and very severe infection.2. However, many patients diagnosed with this infection do not really have it.3. Vancomycin may become less commonly used in treating this infection, paving the way for alternatives such as Zyvox to treat the infection.

- MedImmune's FluMist has been approved in a new form that will allow storage in a standard medical refrigerator for next flu season (the current product must be stored in a cumbersome box in a freezer).-Along with the pending application for age down to 1 year, FluMist's prospects are improving.

Many local factors affect an antibiotic's activity in given tissues. Only if you get adequate levels in the right part of the lung will you get the appropriate activity. This study shows that Vanco may not be the best for this type of infection.

Hospital acquired MRSA pneumonia is a serious health problem in the US today. According to this study, almost 32% of patients who developed MRSA pneumonia died in hospital during that admission.Therapy with vancomycin, may not be optimal because of its poor lung tissue penetration.Increasing vancomycin...

It has always been suspected that the supporting cells of the brain, called glial cells, have long held a secondary role behind neurons, the “telephone wires” of the brain. But, this role may have been grossly underestimated as new evidence suggests that glial cells may be able to sense and monitor...

Once a day amoxicillin will improve patient compliance, but be more costly than the standard three capsules a day currently in use. The cost of once a day amoxicillin will not replace the on the market drugs, for titration is better and the cost of the new once a day drug will be artificially more costly...

A randomized and blinded study shows a once-a-day formulation of amoxicillin is non-inferior to four times a day penicillin in the treatment of pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by Group A Beta-hemolytic streptococci. While once-a-day treatment is generally preferred over multidose treatments, will...

While a single daily dose has its clear advantages, the current recommendations of Amoxicillin and indications for its useage are currently in doubt. The only clear indication currently for the use of Amoxicilllin is with group A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus (GABS).

Though the data are excellent for the vaccine, the issue of coverage and of doctors recommending the vaccine will be the primary movers in how it will be used. Even "routine" vaccinations are not given to a majority of patients who would benefit from them.