Insidermedicine in 60 - May 2, 2008

From Washington - The CDC is reporting that 2008 may see the highest number of reported cases of measles in 7 years. At least 72 people, ranging from young children to the elderly, across 10 states have been diagnosed. The majority had not been vaccinated against the virus. The CDC stresses the importance of childhood vaccinations, including the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine. From Toronto - A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that the electrical pulses generated by a taser shock may actually stimulate the heart under certain conditions. Investigators studied the use of tasers on pigs and found that, of 150 discharges, 74 resulted in stimulation of the heart muscle. While the investigators caution that the human chest differs from that of a pig's, it should also be noted that most of what is known about cardiac defibrillation is derived from animal studies. And finally, back to Washington - According to the FDA, Amgen and Wyeth's arthritis drug Enbrel must now carry a black-box warning. The new label will warn patients about serious infections, including tuberculosis and bacterial sepsis, that patients taking Enbrel could possibly develop. A statement released by the FDA advises patients who develop an infection to seek proper antimicrobial treatment. If the infection persists, use of Enbrel should be discontinued. For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma