Infectious Disease Topics
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Secnidazole Oral Granules (Solosec)
The FDA has approved the first oral single-dose treatment for bacterial vaginosis in adult women.
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Etiology of Acute Liver Failure and Next-generation Sequencing
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing was applied to examine serum from 204 adult patients with acute liver failure (ALF). Researchers identified a potential viral etiology in eight of the 187 patients with ALF of indeterminate etiology. Potential pathogens identified in these included HSV-1, HBV, parvovirus B19, CMV, and HHV-7.
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Stewardship, Science, and Spirituality
Awareness of a patient’s and family’s belief system might help physicians appropriately frame explanations about the importance of antimicrobial stewardship.
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Meropenem-vaborbactam
Meropenem-vaborbactam (Vabomere) is the latest β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor (BLI), approved by the FDA in August 2017 for treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by susceptible Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae species complex in adults older than 18 years of age.
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Statin Use Is Associated With a Lower Risk of Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia
A population-based case-control study from Denmark found the use of statins was associated with a decreased risk for community-associated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, with the greatest benefit from higher doses.
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Lyme Disease in the United States — Good News, Bad News
The incidence of Lyme disease appears to have stabilized in states with known high incidences of the infection, but there is evidence of geographic expansion into neighboring states.
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Mumps Vaccine — Third Dose During Outbreaks
Mumps immunity wanes over time, with a notable increase in risk of infection 13 or more years after completion of the currently recommended series of vaccines. During an outbreak of mumps, receipt of an extra (third, by American schedules) vaccine significantly reduces the risk of becoming sick with mumps.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Travelers Unaware of the Need for Pre-travel Vaccinations; Fecal Microbiota Testing; Newer Guidelines for Influenza Testing This Season
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Chikungunya Locally Acquired in Italy and France
An outbreak of autochthonously acquired chikungunya infection has affected 298 individuals as of early October 2017, while a small outbreak also has occurred in southeastern France.
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How Many Personnel Are Required for Antimicrobial Stewardship? More Than You Have at Your Hospital
A work group in the Veterans Administration determined that the necessary staffing of antimicrobial stewardship programs dealing with inpatients (including long-term care) is 1.0 clinical pharmacy specialist with infectious disease knowledge and 0.25 physician (preferably trained in infectious disease) per 100 occupied beds. Needs for outpatient stewardship, which is now mandated, were not included in the assessment.