Abigail Zuger

A New Approach to

The spore is Clostridium difficiles secret weapon, accounting for its tenacity as a pathogen, its longevity on inanimate surfaces, and its ability to

The SARS Epidemic

No sooner did bioterrorism fade from the headlines last year than an infectious-disease natural catastrophe took its place. At last count, more than

A Sampling of HIV/AIDS Information on the Web

The Internet now hosts thousands of Web pages devoted to HIV infection and AIDS, brimming with information and misinformation. At their best, these

A Critical Look at Flu Vaccine Studies

Although the seasonal influenza vaccine is the darling of preventive medicine these days, the data behind its efficacy in older age groups is problematic. In many observational studies, vaccination is associated with less all-cause mortality during influenza season, but bias is always a problem in this kind of study. Vaccine researchers sought …

Rapid HIV Testing Is Not Without Its Flaws

The low specificity of the oral swab tests remains a concern, as do poor follow-up rates among those testing positive.

Selenium: Great Claims, Few Data

The trace mineral selenium has documented in vitro activity against HIV and has acquired a certain cachet as a particularly valuable micronutrient for

Another Study of Intercessory Prayer

The medical efficacy of intercessory prayer (prayer by one person on behalf of another) is debated widely, with studies providing conflicting results (Journal Watch Dec 28 2001). Now, findings are available from a large randomized trial of intercessory prayer by strangers. Approximately 1200 patients who were scheduled for nonemergent coronary bypass surgery were …

Making HIV Testing Cost-Effective

Physicians who care for patients at high risk for HIV infection have long been accustomed to screening them periodically. Now that HIV tests are on

Studies Disagree on Frequency of Late CNS Side Effects from Efavirenz

High plasma efavirenz concentrations and cytochrome P450 2B6 genotype are risk factors for neuropsychiatric problems during the first few weeks of

Community-Acquired MRSA: As Much Mystery as Toxicity

Clinicians are accustomed to seeing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections only among hospitalized patients or among people with