Medical Letter on the CDC and FDA

SARS - 2003 Outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Beijing summarized

Drug Resistance - Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolate found in Pennsylvania

Fungal Infection - Manifestations and treatment of dematiaceous fungal infections described

Head and Neck Cancer - IL-13 receptor alpha 2 chain is marker of head and neck cancer

Pharmacokinetics - Pharmacokinetics of emtricitabine in HIV-infected children determined

Acne - FDA approves Syneron Aurora for dermatological use

Acne - FDA urged to crack down on Internet sales of isotretinoin

Advanced Melanoma - FDA approves Genasense NDA

Alcoholism - Quick fixes for dangerous youth drinking can work

Antimicrobial Drug Resistance - Genetic element linked to streptococcal macrolide resistance characterized

Avian Influenza - Avian flu virus continues to spread in Asian countries

Avian Influenza - Ban won't be lifted on Thai poultry until bird flu eradicated

Avian Influenza - U.N. says bird flu has not mutated to potent, new form; downplay tests in pigs

Basal Cell Carcinoma - Risk of basal cell carcinoma is increased by alcohol intake

Breast Cancer - FDA accepts NDA with priority review for RSR13

Cancer Therapy - Proteasome is target for cancer therapy

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - FDA approves Spiriva HandiHaler

Colorectal Cancer - FDA approves Erbitux for metastatic disease

Complementary and Alternative Medicine - FDA issues regulation prohibiting sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra

Complementary and Alternative Medicine - Herbal medicine guidelines issued

Contraception - Systematic analyses of randomized trials show dose and effect rule mifepristone

Cosmetic Procedures - Clinical results from botulinum toxin type A study announced

DNA Damage -  Saccharomyces cerevisiae 14-3-3 proteins respond to DNA damage

Diabetes - Patent granted for advanced insulin pump infusion sets

Diagnostics - Method to detect glimepiride in human plasma developed

Diet and Nutrition - Carbohydrates, and more of them, blamed for weight gain, especially in women

Diet and Nutrition - Prenatal mercury exposure via mother's diet can impair certain brain functions

Diet and Nutrition - Science behind U.N. global obesity attacked

Drug Testing - Drugs-of-abuse testing products receive FDA clearance

Electrophysiology - SonoPrep skin permeation device receives FDA marketing clearance

Environmental Health - Detailed studies set the standard for evaluating fertility and the environment

Environmental Toxins - CDC asking EPA to test suspect environmental contaminant in Sierra Vista

Finance - Campath continues steady sales progression

Finance - Humana shows improved fourth quarter and year end results

Finance - SECEBT receives nearly $1 million for bioterror studies

Food-borne Illness -  Enterobacter sakazakii thermally inactivated in rehydrated infant formula

Food-borne Illness - Scientists developing bacteria detection device

HIV/AIDS - HIV discrimination case settled by surgeon

HIV/AIDS Epidemiology - AIDS rising in black male college students

Healthcare Costs - Healthcare spending increased to $1.7 trillion in 2003

Healthcare Economics - Spending growth projected to nearly double in the next decade

Heart Disease - Role of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists for heart failure reviewed

Heart Failure - U.S. clearance granted for AxSYM BNP test

Hip Arthroplasty - MIS hip procedure granted U.S. patent

Hormone Replacement Therapy - FDA approves first transdermal gel for estrogen therapy