Herpes Virus Contribution to Alzheimer’s
Or Shemesh, PhD Image credits: LinkedIn Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has traditionally been diagnosed based on the presence of β-amyloid plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) in the brain. Recent research suggests that infections, particularly herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), may play a role in AD development. A new study led by Or Shemesh, PhD, assistant professor […]
FDA Requires Guillain-Barré Syndrome Warning on 2 RSV Vaccines
The FDA announced it has required safety labeling changes to the prescribing information for both the RSV vaccines to include a warning for the rare neurological disorder, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).1 The agency said it conducted a postmarketing observational study that assessed the risk of GBS following vaccination with Abrysvo and Arexvy. Based on FDA’s evaluation […]
Bacteria Use Natural Products to Expose Competitors to Viruses, Opening New Pathways for Antimicrobial Strategies
Joseph (JP) Gerdt, PhD Image credits: Indiana University A recent study In Nature reveals that bacteria can use natural products to make nearby competitors more susceptible to viral infection, adding a new layer to our understanding of microbial competition. Microbes compete for resources by secreting secondary metabolites that can kill rival bacteria and secure nutrients. […]
Long COVID Subsides in a Majority of Frontline Healthcare Workers
Image credit: RDNE, Pexels Undoubtedly, frontline healthcare workers (HCW) took on an enormous burden during the pandemic. According to a study that was conducted from January 1, 2020 through October 12, 2021, a total of 440,044 healthcare workers were reported to have COVID-19, including 1,469 deaths.1 In addition to acute infections and mortality, many HCW […]
ACIP Expands Pneumococcal Vaccine Guidelines for Adults Aged 50 and Older
Serotypes included in pneumococcal vaccines currently recommended for adults — United States, 2024 Image credits: CDC A recent update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), published in the most recent MMWR and Morbidity Report, expands pneumococcal vaccine recommendations. This update finalized the guidelines made from October 2024, providing clearer guidance on vaccine preferences, favoring […]
Antimicrobial, Wound-Healing Agents Discovered Among Disparate Drug Classes
Image credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya, Pexels Topical application of selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and of beta-adrenergic antagonists (ß-AR antagonists,”beta-blockers”) has demonstrated potential to mitigate wound infections by helping to overcome barriers of bacterial biofilms and antimicrobial resistance, according to a recent review of non-antibiotic approaches for hastening healing of chronic wounds.1 Rivkah Isseroff, MD, Department […]
LPOXY Therapeutics Acquires Assets to Advance C difficile Protection for Antibiotic Patients
Larry D Sutton, MD, PhD, CEO of LPOXY Therapeutics Image credits: LinkedIn LPOXY Therapeutics, Inc has acquired significant assets from Xeno Biosciences Inc to advance its novel therapy for preventing Clostridioides difficile (C difficile) infections in hospitalized patients. The acquisition includes regulatory filings, FDA correspondence, comprehensive CMC data, and intellectual property from Xeno, as well […]
Climate Change is Disrupting Biocontrol of Invasive Spongy Moths
This research connects infectious disease dynamics to ecosystem health by examining how climate change affects the biocontrol of invasive species. The fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga has kept spongy moth populations in check, much like how infectious diseases are controlled in humans. Using disease models designed for humans, researchers analyze how environmental changes impact the spread […]
Doxycycline Postexposure Prophylaxis Prevents STIs Amongst Those Using HIV PrEP
Image credit: Julia Zolotova, Pexels Doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) given to people who were receiving HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) were shown to reduce chlamydia by 79%, syphilis by 80%, and gonorrhea by 12%.1 The study’s results were published in JAMA Internal Medicine. “Among doxyPEP recipients, quarterly chlamydia positivity decreased from 9.6% (95% CI, 9.0%-10.3%) before […]
Entering Peak Norovirus Season as Cases Rise Across the US
Positive Norovirus test results Image credits: CDC Recent CDC data showed a rise in norovirus cases across the US, with more than 22% of tests returning positive as of December 28, 2024, compared to 12% during the same week in December 2023.1 The NoroSTAT report for the 2024–2025 season (August 1–December 11, 2024) recorded 495 […]
