Comparative Effectiveness of Vancomycin Versus Daptomycin for MRSA Bacteremia With Vancomycin MIC >1 mg/L: A Multicenter Evaluation.

Purpose: Clinical studies comparing vancomycin with alternative therapy for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia are limited. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes of early daptomycin versus vancomycin treatment for MRSA bacteremia with high vancomycin MICs in a geographically diverse multicenter evaluation.

Methods: This nationwide, retrospective, multicenter (N = 11), matched, cohort study compared outcomes of early daptomycin with vancomycin for MRSA bloodstream infection (BSI) with vancomycin MICs 1.

New levodopa therapeutic strategies.

During its almost half-century of use for treating Parkinson's disease, levodopa therapy has permitted most patients to reverse much of this disorder's symptomatology. However, the full range of its therapeutic properties is not completely understood, as levodopa is showing itself to be more than just a metabolic intermediate for dopamine synthesis. Improving the constancy of drug delivery is the next frontier for enhancing therapeutic options with levodopa.

Clinician versus machine: reliability and responsiveness of motor endpoints in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Enhancing the reliability and responsiveness of motor assessments required to demonstrate therapeutic efficacy is a priority for Parkinson's disease (PD) clinical trials. The objective of this study is to determine the reliability and responsiveness of a portable kinematic system for quantifying PD motor deficits as compared to clinical ratings.

Methods: Eighteen PD patients with subthalamic nucleus deep-brain stimulation (DBS) performed three tasks for evaluating resting tremor, postural tremor, and finger-tapping speed, amplitude, and rhythm while wearing a wireless motion-sensor unit (Kinesia) on the more-affected index finger.

Tardive dyskinesia caused by tetrabenazine.

Objective: Although tetrabenazine is widely used as an effective treatment for chorea and other hyperkinetic movement disorders, it has been associated with rare instances of parkinsonism and acute dystonic reactions. There have been no prior reports of tardive dyskinesia with this drug.

Methods: Case report.

Norepinephrine: the next therapeutics frontier for Parkinson's disease.

Tissue concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) are markedly decreased in various regions of the Parkinson's disease (PD) brain. As in the substantia nigra pars compacta, neuronal dropout and Lewy bodies are prominent changes affecting the locus coeruleus, which is the source of ascending NErgic projections. Despite the major roles of NE throughout the brain, there has been only minimal exploration of pharmacological intervention with NErgic neurotransmission.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression are correlates of angina pectoris by recent history and an ischemia-positive treadmill test in patients with documented coronary artery disease in the pimi study.

Objective. We tested the association of specific psychological characteristics in patients having stable coronary disease with the reporting of anginal symptoms during daily activities, and positive exercise testing. Methods.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic crossover comparison of two levodopa extension strategies.

Controlled-release carbidopa and levodopa (CL-CR) and the combination of carbidopa, levodopa, and entacapone (CLE) are used for extending levodopa (L-dopa) effects. In a randomized, open-label crossover study of 17 PD subjects with wearing-off responses, we compared 8-hour L-dopa pharmacokinetics (PK) and clinical effects after two doses of CL-CR (50 and 200 mg, respectively) and CLE (37.7, 150, 200 mg, respectively).

Endometriosis causing lower extremity deep vein thrombosis - case report and review of the literature.

Endometriosis is a medical condition in women wherein endometrial cells deposited in the area outside the uterine cavity are influenced by hormonal changes, and produce symptoms depending on the site of implantation. A unique case of retroperitoneal endometriosis causing deep vein thrombosis from extrinsic compression of the right iliac vein is described. Clinical presentation with cyclical leg swelling, coincidental with menstruation and culminating with deep vein thrombosis, although very suggestive, has not been previously reported.

A phase 2, open-label study of the safety and efficacy of intravenous anidulafungin as a treatment for azole-refractory mucosal candidiasis.

Background: Azole-refractory mucosal candidiasis is a debilitating disease frequently seen in patients who are immunosuppressed as a result of HIV, malignancy, posttransplant immunosuppressive therapy, persistent neutropenia, steroid use, or diabetes. Anidulafungin has potent activity against a broad spectrum of Candida species, including strains resistant to azoles and amphotericin B. We performed an open-label, noncomparative study to examine efficacy and safety of anidulafungin in patients with azole-refractory oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis.

A multicenter randomized trial evaluating posaconazole versus fluconazole for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis in subjects with HIV/AIDS.

Background: Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most common opportunistic infection among persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Use of some agents is hampered by lack of efficacy, emergence of resistance, adverse events, and need for intravenous administration. Posaconazole is an extended-spectrum triazole with potent in vitro activity against Candida species, including Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida krusei (including fluconazole-resistant strains).