Anidulafungin (ay nid yoo la fun jin; Eraxis - Pfizer), a third intravenous echinocandin antifungal, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of esophageal candidiasis, candidemia, and other complicated Candida infections (intra-abdominal abscess or peritonitis).

Micafungin sodium (Mycamine - Astellas), the second echinocandin antifungal to become available in the US, has been approved by the FDA for intravenous treatment of esophageal candidiasis and prophylaxis of invasive Candida infections in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Naftifine hydrochloride 1% cream (Naftin - Herbert Laboratories), was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for topical treatment of tinea cruris and tinea corporis. It is available only by prescription.

Etravirine (Intelence - Tibotec), a new non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), has received fast-track FDA approval for use in combination therapy in treatment-experienced adults who have HIV-1 infection resistant to an NNRTI and other antiretroviral agents.

Terbinafine 1% cream (Lamisil - Sandoz), an allylamine synthetic antifungal drug chemically related to naftifine (Naftin - Medical Letter, 30:98, 1988), is now available in the USA for topical treatment of tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and tinea corporis infections. An oral formulation is available in Europe and is under investigation here.

Telithromycin (Ketek - Aventis) has been approved by the FDA for oral treatment of mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and acute bacterial sinusitis in patients age 18 and older. The drug is the first in a new class of antibiotics, the ketolides, derived from the macrolide erythromycin. Telithromycin has been marketed in Europe since 2001.

Darunavir (Prezista - Tibotec), a new protease inhibitor, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for use in combination therapy of human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in previously treated adults. It is coadministered with low-dose ritonavir (Norvir), which increases its bioavailability.

Enfuvirtide (T-20; Fuzeon Trimeris/Roche), the first in a new class of HIV drugs known as fusion inhibitors, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for use with other antiretrovirals in adults and children with viral replication despite ongoing antiretroviral therapy. This review describes the mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics of the new drug, and outlines the results of the 2 clinical studies that led to its approval. Sections on adverse effects, development of resistance, and dosage and cost are also included. The review concludes with an overall assessment of the...

Testing for HIV infection in the US typically has been a two-step process that requires patients to return for results. This review describes two rapid tests currently FDA-approved, OraQuick and Reveal. It includes a table with the cost and characteristics of each test (result time, device type, equipment needed, etc.).

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, which have been a concern for many years, previously occurred primarily in hospitalized patients and those recently treated with antibiotics. In the past few years, there has been an increasing incidence worldwide of community-associated (CA) MRSA infections in patients without recent antibiotic exposure or contact with the healthcare system.