Antiviral Activity, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of Bictegravir as 10-Day Monotherapy in HIV-1-Infected Adults.

Objective: To evaluate antiviral activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics of short-term monotherapy with bictegravir (BIC), a novel, potent HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI).

Design: Phase 1b, randomized, double-blinded, adaptive, sequential cohort, placebo-controlled study.

Methods: HIV-infected adults not taking antiretroviral therapy were randomized to receive BIC (5, 25, 50, or 100 mg) or placebo once daily for 10 days.

Tickborne infections in the southern United States.

Established and emerging tickborne infections are significant causes of human illness in the southern United States. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, human monocytic ehrlichiosis, human ewingii ehrlichiosis and tularemia are known pathogens in this geographic distribution. Rickettsia parkeri and novel ehrlichioses are more recently described tickborne infections reviewed in this article.

Frequency and significance of HIV infection among patients diagnosed with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Background: Case series of patients with a diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) have reported different frequencies of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; some series suggest that HIV infection may cause TTP.

Methods: We systematically reviewed all reports of HIV infection in case series of patients with TTP. We analyzed data from the Oklahoma TTP-HUS (hemolytic uremic syndrome) Registry, an inception cohort of 362 consecutive patients, for 1989-2007.

Lung abscess caused by Clostridium ramosum.

A 49-year-old male presented with weight loss and fever. Further evaluation revealed lung abscesses and Clostridium ramosum bacteremia. This is an unusual cause of infection.

Viral agents as biological weapons and agents of bioterrorism.

Multiple viral agents have been classified by the CDC as potential weapons of mass destruction or agents for biologic terrorism. Agents such as smallpox, viral hemorrhagic fever viruses, agents of viral encephalitis, and others are of concern because they are highly infectious and relatively easy to produce. Although dispersion might be difficult, the risk is magnified by the fact that large populations are susceptible to these agents and only limited treatment and vaccination strategies exist.

Bacterial pathogens as biological weapons and agents of bioterrorism.

Bacterial pathogens have been identified as agents that have been, or could be, used as weapons of biological warfare and/or biological terrorism. These agents are relatively easily obtained, prepared, and dispersed, either as weapons of mass destruction or for more limited terrorist attacks. Although phylogenetically diverse, these agents all have the potential for aerosol dissemination.