Medications

Blood test for yeast infections approved

(HealthDay)—The first blood test to detect five strains of yeast that cause rare blood infections in people with weakened immune systems has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Medications

Anti-fungal drug not tied to most birth defects, study says

(HealthDay)—Although some reports have shown that high doses of the anti-fungal drug fluconazole (Diflucan) may raise the risk of birth defects, a new Danish review finds that more commonly prescribed lower doses of the ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

New device IDs disease-causing germs

(HealthDay)—A new spectrometer system designed to identify 193 yeast and bacteria that are capable of making people sick has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Medications

Canada, Uganda test drug to treat brain disease

Canada is funding testing in Uganda of a popular off-patent antidepressant drug to fight a fungal brain disease that claims more than half a million lives in sub-Saharan Africa every year.

Medical research

Bacteria may contribute to premature births, STDs

(Medical Xpress)—New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis points to a common species of bacteria as an important contributor to bacterial vaginosis, a condition linked to preterm birth and increased ...

Medical research

Declaring a truce with our microbiological frienemies

Managing bacteria and other microorganisms in the body, rather than just fighting them, may be lead to better health and a stronger immune system, according to a Penn State biologist.

HIV & AIDS

Surprise HIV diagnosis becomes life-changing moment

(HealthDay)—It was 1995, and 36-year-old Maria Davis had it all: a successful career as a music promoter and a model, two kids, and a man she loved so much she was going to move thousands of miles to be with him.

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