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2014 has been a phenomenal year for infectious diseases, and interest in this specialty is running high among healthcare professionals and the lay public. NEJM Journal Watch Infectious Diseases has provided — and will continue to provide — analyses of important articles in the major medical publications.
There was an obvious pick for the top infectious diseases story this year. Ebola virus disease was ranked highest by our editorial board members, and deservedly so, as caregivers strive to control the worst epidemic of this illness to date. With the continuing outbreak in West Africa, interest in this syndrome will certainly persist in 2015. Tied for second place were three virus-related stories (severe respiratory disease in children caused by enterovirus D68, chikungunya in the Caribbean, and oral therapy for hepatitis C virus infection) and one on management of Clostridium difficile infection. Third place was shared by two pieces on vaccines (dengue virus vaccine; influenza vaccination during pregnancy) and one on timing of antibiotic therapy in severe sepsis. Rounding out the top 10 were pieces on once-weekly therapy for complicated skin and soft-tissue infections and the ineffectiveness of 4-month tuberculosis treatment.
Our Infectious Diseases Top Stories of 2014 are:
Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa: And the Band Played On
Severe Respiratory Illness Associated with EV-D68
Chikungunya Spreads Through the Caribbean
A One-Pill Regimen for All Patients with HCV Genotype 1 Infection
Management of Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection
Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy Can Safeguard Both Mothers and Infants
Timing of Antibiotic Treatment in Severe Sepsis, Revisited
Once-Weekly Therapy of Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections
Four-Month Moxifloxacin Regimens Less Effective for TB Treatment