Exposure to air pollution associated with more hospital admissions for lower respiratory infections
Air pollution is a well-known risk factor for respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, its contribution to lower respiratory infections — those that affect the lower respiratory tract, including the lungs, bronchi and alveoli — is less well documented, especially in adults. To fill this gap in knowledge, a […]
Children with Invasive Candidiasis Do Well After Switching IV Antifungal to Enteral
Robert F. T. Bucayu, MD, MPHImage Credit: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Children with invasive candidiasis, a particular risk for the immunocompromised, were as likely to have a favorable outcome after transitioning antifungal treatment from IV to enteral as completing the IV course, in a secondary analysis of the multicenter Pediatric Antifungal Comparative Effectiveness (PEACE) study.1-2 […]
Hijacking of plasmin by dengue virus for infection
Biological scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have uncovered how the dengue virus uses its envelope protein to capture human plasmin from a blood meal to enhance the permeability of the mosquito midgut for infection. Plasmin is a protease that contains five kringle-domains (KR1-5) responsible for substrate binding. In addition to digesting blood […]
Pemgarda Maintains Effectiveness Against Evolving SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Invivyd announced that new in vitro data confirms Pemgarda™ (pemivibart) continues to effectively neutralize the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant XEC. This underscores the monoclonal antibody’s ongoing effectiveness despite the virus’s evolving variants.The CDC reports that XEC and KP311 now account for 69% of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the US as of December 21, 2024. Invivyd’s findings […]
Four Cases of Measles Confirmed in Texas
On January 30, The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced the third and fourth cases of measles in Texas. These most recent cases were in unvaccinated school age children who were hospitalized in Lubbock, Texas, and have since been discharged. DSHS is supporting the South Plains Public Health District and Lubbock Public Health […]
Enhancing Air Quality and Controlling Infections on Cruise Ships
Prashant Kumar Image credits: University of Surrey The Caribbean cruise season typically runs from late fall to spring, while the UK/EU cruise season spans from late spring to early fall, bringing millions of passengers aboard ships each year. While cruising provides a unique travel experience, maintaining indoor air quality (IAQ) and preventing the spread of […]
Ebola in Uganda – Level 1 – Level 1 – Practice Usual Precautions – Travel Health Notices | Travelers’ Health
Sudan virus disease (SVD) is a rare and deadly disease that has, at times, caused outbreaks in several African countries. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising (a late stage of illness). SVD is spread by contact with blood or body fluids of a person infected […]
