An ongoing dialogue on HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases,
October 13th, 2015
Yes, There Are Important HIV Studies at ICAAC and IDWeek — Here’s One
Both ICAAC and IDWeek (formerly IDSA) are now over, IDWeek ending this past Sunday. These are the two large Infectious Diseases scientific meetings that take place each year in the Fall. They’ve been battling it out for years for attendance, but it looks like finally IDWeek (formerly IDSA) has won the Fall slot — ICAAC is moving next year to […]
July 16th, 2012
Sizzling Summer Serratias
Several ID/HIV items to contemplate as the heat really kicks in here in the torrid USA: TDF/FTC approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis. The challenging issues of defining the best candidates for this strategy — and finding the providers to prescribe it — still remain, but FDA approval should at least help justify insurance coverage if clinicians choose […]
June 20th, 2012
Abacavir Becomes the Latest Generic Antiretroviral Agent
Hot on the heels of generic nevirapine comes generic abacavir: On June 18, 2012, FDA granted approval for a generic formulation of abacavir tablets, 300 mg, manufactured by Mylan Pharmaceuticals, indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. FDA has determined that the generic formulation is bioequivalent and, therefore, therapeutically equivalent to the […]
July 28th, 2011
Really Rapid Review — IAS 2011 Rome
Just back from IAS 2011 (which was followed, I’m thrilled to say, with a visit to perhaps the most beautiful region in the world). Here is a Really Rapid Review™ of the meeting, with apologies ahead of time for lack of organization and (even more likely) leaving out something important. FYI, the abstracts are online […]
June 19th, 2011
Abacavir Agonistes
The studies on abacavir and its potential association with increased cardiovascular risk have been inconsistent ever since the news first broke at CROI 2008. But recently the data have been swirling around so fast and furious that it seems appropriate to take out this famous Greek epithet. A summary of some recent notable studies: An FDA meta-analysis […]
February 13th, 2009
CROI 2009: Greatest Hits
Fresh back from lovely Montreal, where the temperature (I’m glad to report) climbed into the balmy 40’s … Here’s a rapid-fire listing of the Greatest Hits. As I’m sure to be leaving something off this list, happy to accept other suggestions: Interleukin-2 does not work. The ESPRIT and SILCAAT studies are over. Yes, the CD4’s increase, but […]
January 4th, 2009
Top Stories in HIV Medicine
Happy New Year! In the spirit of list-making that seems to permeate the world right about this time, we’ve just published our own list over at AIDS Clinical Care. Check it out — our editorial board this year did a superb job of summarizing the field. I have a strong feeling that next year’s version will have […]
March 31st, 2008
FDA Investigating Safety of Abacavir and Didanosine — Old News or New?
The FDA has issued one of its new “early communications” indicating that it has opened an investigation into the safety of abacavir and didanosine based on analyses showing higher rates of myocardial infarction with these drugs than with other NRTIs in the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) study. The pace of our […]
Paul E. Sax, MD
Contributing Editor
NEJM Journal Watch
Infectious Diseases
Biography | Disclosures | Summaries
Learn more about HIV and ID Observations.
NEJM Journal Watch — Recent Infectious Disease Articles- When it Comes to Antimicrobial Stewardship, Is a Boost Better Than a Nudge?
- HIV Prevention and Treatment: Updated Recommendations from the International AIDS Society–USA
- Observations from ID and Beyond: Dr. Thomas O'Brien — Expert in Antimicrobial Resistance and Giant in His Field (Literally)
- How Serious Is Artemisinin Partial Resistance in African Malaria Parasites?
- Observations from ID and Beyond: Who's Going to Get Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention?