Infectious Disease Update: Clinical Pearls

Ted Rosen, MD

What’s new in infectious diseases? Here are some key takeaway points from Dr Rosen…

  1. New rapid, cheap syphilis diagnostics use cell phone and disposable analytic equipment
  1. Gardasil 9: New HPV vaccine with five more oncogenic viruses added; However, there is no official statement regarding re-treatment of those previously vaccinated with bivalent type
  1. Genital HPV can be treated by daily application of 5% KOH and by a single application of ingenol mebutate (either concentration)
  1. In cases of recurrent MRSA (likely MRSA 300 strain): Clean environment; especially landline, faucet handles in kitchen and bathroom, toilet seat, and television remote
  1. Three new IV drugs for MRSA have long half-lives and less frequent dosing
  1. Watch out for atypical mycobacteria and nocardia infections following invasive cosmetic procedures
  1. Isavuconazole: New antifungal drug just approved for mucormycosis
  1. Consider using ozone cabinet or UVC shoe inserts to prevent recurrence of onychomycosis (kill fungi in shoes)
  1. Chikungunya virus: Dengue like illness; Endogenous cases in Florida; over 2000 US cases
  1. Muco-adhesive acyclovir 50mg
    1. One application is entire course of Rx for HSV-1
    2. May actually alter disease course by increasing interval between outbreaks
  1. Tungiasis: pour pure dimethicone on several times