Pedro Cahn

REFERENCE: Abstract H-717, 47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), Chicago, 2007
PEDRO CAHN, Juan A. Fernández Hospital, Buenos Aires
Etravirine provides a chance to rescue patients who are failing non-nucleoside regimens according to 24-week pooled results of the DUET-1 and -2 studies. Nicola Solomon discussed these major trials with Pedro Cahn, of Juan A. Fernández Hospital in Buenos Aires.

Lindsay Grayson

REFERENCE: Abstract K-1374, 47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), Chicago, 2007
LINDSAY GRAYSON, Austin Hospital, Victoria, Australia
A hand hygiene campaign implemented in six hospitals in Victoria, Australia has saved lives from MRSA, and saved twice as much money as it cost. Lindsay Grayson from Austin Hospital explained his data to Derek Thorne.

Jennifer Lavrrar, Jane Hata, Jeanette Block

REFERENCE: Slide Session C2-1360, 47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), Chicago, 2007
JANE HATA, bioMéríeux Inc, Durham
Reports from the BORIS study call for ongoing surveillance of multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter Baumanii. Investigators found varying susceptibility and resistance patterns across the United States that highlight the organisms ability to adapt. Nicola Solomon spoke with Jane Hata of bioMéríeux.

Moira McMahon

REFERENCE:47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), Chicago, 2007
MOIRA MCMAHON, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
The hepatitis B drug entecavir appears to select for a drug resistant HIV mutation – and this has implications for patients infected with both viruses. Derek Thorne got the details from Moira McMahon from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. .

Jeffrey Jacobson

REFERENCE:47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), Chicago, 2007
JEFFREY JACOBSON, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia
Could a monoclonal antibody have a role to play in HIV treatment? Early data on the PRO 140 antibody, presented at ICAAC, show that it does give responses. Derek Thorne discussed this news approach with Jeffrey Jacobson of Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia.

Jacob Lalezari

REFERENCE:47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), Chicago, 2007
JACOB LALEZARI, Quest Clinical Research, San Francisco
Maraviroc could be a useful new drug for the treatment of some HIV infections, according to Jacob Lalezari of Quest Clinical Research in San Francisco. He presented 48 week results from the MOTIVATE 1 study and Derek Thorne spoke to him at ICAAC in Chicago.

Georg Härter

REFERENCE:47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), Chicago, 2007
GEORG HÄRTER, University Hospital, Ulm
For patients with multiple myeloma being treated with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, doctor’s should be wary of viral reactivation – and they should give antiviral prophylaxis in all cases. This finding was unveiled at ICAAC by Georg Härter from the University Hospital in Ulm, and he shared his data with Derek Thorne.

Donna Hacek

REFERENCE: Slide Session 42 K-608, 47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), Chicago, 2007
DONNA HACEK, Evanston Hospital, Evanston Illinois
Thorough, all surface bleach cleaning helps to achieve a significant and sustained reduction in nosocomial C. difficile infections according to a study from Evanston Hospital. Nicola Solomon discussed the results of this simple technique with Donna Hacek.

Jon Otter

REFERENCE: Poster Session 033 K-464, 47th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), Chicago, 2007
JON OTTER, Bioquell Ltd, Andover UK
An investigation looking at hydrogen peroxide vapour for sterilisation in hospital areas at risk of an outbreak of MRSA revealed that it can significantly reduce environmental contamination. Nicola Solomon discussed this new technique with Jon Otter of Bioquell Ltd.

Stefan James

Raymond Gibbons

REFERENCE: Hot Line 1 Sunday 11:00 2 Sept, European Society of Cardiology Congress, 2007, 1-5 September, Vienna, Austria
STEFAN JAMES, Uppsala Clinical Research Centre, Sweden
COMMENT: RAYMOND GIBBONS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
Another year’s results of the long term outcome of using drug-eluting stents as compared with bare-metal stents from Sweden reveal that there is no longer an increased risk of late mortality when using drug-eluting stents according to Stefan James of Uppsala Clinical Research Centre. He suggested that improvements in technique have helped reduce the risk of death or myocardial infarction associated with using drug-eluting stents nevertheless the risk of blood clots still remains. Overall survival of patients was found to be the similar for both categories of stent.
Nicola Soloman interviewed Stefan James after his presentation at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Vienna. Raymond Gibbons, president of the American Heart Association, added his comments.

Stephen MacMahon

Raymond Gibbons

REFERENCE: Abstract 312 Hot Line 1 Sunday, European Society of Cardiology Congress, 2007, 1-5 September, Vienna, Austria
STEPHEN MACMAHON, The George Institute, University of Sydney
COMMENT: RAYMOND GIBBONS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
The randomised placebo controlled ADVANCE study of 11000 patients with diabetes has demonstrated that a combination of the ACE inhibitor, perindopril, with the diuretic indapamide can lower blood pressure and mortality. The investigators saw an impact even in patients who did not have high blood pressure. Lead study author Stephen MacMahon said this approach should be included in current practice guidelines. Sarah Maxwell spoke with him at the meeting in Vienna.
Raymond Gibbons commented on Stephen MacMahon’s presentation of the ADVANCE study.

David Wood