Reporting from the 2006 Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), September 27 – 30, San Francisco

REFERENCE: Abstract H-1059
Jose Miro, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona
When is the best time to start antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS? A study from Spain confirms that doctors should wait until the CD4 cell count drops below 350. Jose Miro of the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona gave the data to Derek Thorne in San Francisco.

REFERENCE: Abstract K-786
Julia Dombrowski, University of California, San Francisco
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is sometimes difficult to treat – and now, a study presented at ICAAC suggests that infection of the bone may predict a worse outcome. Julia Dombrowski, of the University of California San Francisco, discussed the possible implications of her data with Derek Thorne.

REFERENCE: Abstract M-908
Graeme Forrest, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
The lipid-lowering drugs statins have an anti-inflammatory effect that could help control infections. Graeme Forrest of the University of Maryland told Derek Thorne about his results in patients with candidemia who were already on a statin.