Infectious Disease
RSSArticles
-
A New Expanded Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
The U.S. FDA approved a new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in December of 2014.1 Two HPV vaccines have been available for several years — a bivalent vaccine (HP2) containing L1 protein of the oncogenic types 16 and 18 as well as a quadrivalent vaccine (HP4)containing type 16 and 18 together with types 6 and 11 (which cause genital warts). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recently updated their recommendations for the use of these vaccines:
-
Controlling the Spread of Chikungunya Virus: A New Possibility
SYNOPSIS: A phase-1 clinical trial of a virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccine demonstrates safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity against rapidly spreading Chikungunya virus.
-
Antiviral Therapy Improves Outcomes in Immunocompromised but Not Immunocompetent HSV Meningitis Patients
SYNOPSIS: A retrospective, observational, single-center study found immunocompromised patients are at increased risk for neurologic sequelae from HSV meningitis and likely benefit from antiviral therapy. There is no benefit to antiviral therapy in immunocompetent individuals.
-
Reactive Hemophagocytic Syndrome in Adults
Patients with HPS were more likely to be immunosuppressed.
-
Peramivir for Treatment of Influenza
Peramivir (RapivabTM) was recently approved by the FDA for treating acute uncomplicated influenza.
-
CDC hiring IPs for Ebola jobs in West Africa
For those both compassionate and incredibly brave at heart, there are some job openings in West Africa. Though beaten back into its cage in some areas, Ebola continues to find victims in others. Infection preventionists are being asked to help.
-
CMS hits hospitals for high rates of infections
Hundreds of U.S. hospitals this year will revisit their infection control and safety programs in hopes of producing results that will get them out of the penalty box.
-
Feds lower the boom on compounding pharmacy
A 131-count criminal indictment was unsealed Dec. 17, 2014 in Boston in connection with the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak, the U.S. Justice Department announced.
-
Drug Diverters May Show No Signs of Addiction
Somewhat surprisingly, drug diverters in healthcare settings are not easy to spot by outward mannerisms.
-
CDC: Thousands of patients put at risk by outbreaks caused by drug diverters in healthcare
Drug diversion by health care workers is gaining recognition as a ubiquitous and poorly controlled patient safety risk.