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A new blood test will allow doctors more accurately to pinpoint patients likely to develop the symptoms of tuberculosis, researchers said on Monday.

LegalView re-launched its Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) information portal to provide more news and details of the rare condition. NSF has been linked to the use of gadolinium dyes during magnetic resonance testing among kidney disease patients. (PRWeb Oct 21, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1500794.htm

(UT Southwestern Medical Center) Conventional wisdom has been that respiratory syncytial virus -- a common virus that causes infection in the lungs -- comes and goes in children without any long lasting impact. A study conducted in mice by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers, however, suggests that RSV may hide in the lungs even after other symptoms abate, ultimately resurfacing to cause recurrent wheezing and chronic airway disease.

Background: The risk for occupational exposure to HIV has been well characterized in the developed world, but limited information is available about this transmission risk in resource-constrained settings facing the largest burden of HIV infection. In addition, the feasibility and utilization of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) programs in these settings are unclear. Therefore, we examined the rate and characteristics of occupational exposure to HIV and the utilization of a PEP among health care workers (HCW) in a large, urban government teaching hospital in Pune, India. Methods: Demographic and clinical data on occupational exposures and their management were prospectively collected from January 2003-December 2005. US Centers for Diseases Control guidelines were utilized to define risk exposures, for which PEP was recommended. Incidence rates of reported exposures and trends in PEP utilization were examined using logistic regression. Results: Of 1955 HCW, 557 exposures were report

(University of Alberta Faculty of medicine & Dentistry) Researchers from the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta have found that Sharpies used to mark surgical sites do not pose a risk of bacterial infection since the ink has an alcohol base. It's standard practice to throw away marking pens used to mark operative sites after one use to prevent the spread of germs, costing thousands of dollars a year.

International efforts have pushed back the spread of bird flu this year, but the risk of a global influenza pandemic killing millions is as great as ever, the United Nations reported.