Adaptation of WHO AWaRe Classification Supports UK’s National Stewardship Priorities
WHO AWaRe Book Image credits: WHO A modified Delphi approach led to the development of a UK-adapted version of the WHO’s AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic classification, designed to align with national antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) priorities. This adaptation supports efforts to improve antibiotic use across primary and secondary care settings in the UK. In a […]
The 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine Show Limited Efficacy in Adults
cdc logo: Image credit: CDC In this week’s Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, shows limited efficacy in preventing emergency department visits for adults and a better efficacy in immunocompromised adults. “Vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine was 33% against COVID-19–associated emergency department (ED) or urgent care (UC) visits among […]
How Porphyromonas gingivalis Evasion of Immune Detection May Fuel Systemic Diseases
Gabriel Nussbaum, MD, PhD Image credits: Isreal Cancer Research Fund Researchers have uncovered how Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium linked to periodontitis, evades immune detection, leading to chronic infections and potentially contributing to serious systemic diseases like cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s. This discovery sheds light on the bacterium’s use of the CD47 protein, which sends a […]
3 Case of Measles Reported in New Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has confirmed there are 3 cases of measles within the state. Back on February 14, a single laboratory-confirmed case of measles was reported in a Bergen County resident with recent international travel. Subsequently 2 secondary cases of measles have been identified. The new cases had close contact with […]
Phage, Combination Antibiotic Treatment For Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection
Erlinda Ulloa, MD, a staff physician at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Hospital in Orange, oversaw a very complex and challenging case that involved a 19 year old young woman whose initial presentation was for acute myelogenous leukemia. The patient had experienced cardiorespiratory collapse, requiring cannulation for ECMO. The patient was initially transferred to […]
FDA Flu Vaccine Advisory Meeting Canceled Amid Concerns Over Delays for 2025 Season
The FDA’s advisory committee meeting to select strains for next season’s flu vaccines has been canceled, raising concerns about potential delays in vaccine production. The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), scheduled for March 13, was set to determine which influenza strains should be included in the 2025-2026 seasonal flu vaccines. Although, panel […]
CDC Reports Ongoing H5N1 Outbreak, USDA Unveils $1 Billion Plan to Address Avian Flu Crisis
A vaccine vial of H5N1, avian influenza disease vaccination development concept. Image credits: Unsplash The CDC reported ongoing response efforts to the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, which has affected dairy cows, poultry, and other animals in several states. Since April 2024, the CDC has confirmed 70 human infections linked to exposure to infected animals. Importantly, […]
The Canary in the Coal Mine for Childhood Vaccine Decline
In the fall of 1990, the city of Philadelphia started seeing cases of measles. It eventually became an epicenter for a major measles outbreak that went well into 1991. It caused over 1,400 cases, with a majority of the cases in unvaccinated children, and led to 9 kids dying.1 Paul Offit, MD, director of the […]
Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prairie Farms Supplement Shakes
Some product images Image credits: FDA A multistate Listeria outbreak has been traced to Prairie Farms supplement shakes, leading to an ongoing investigation by the FDA, CDC, and state health officials. As of February 21, 2025, 38 people in 21 states have been affected, with 37 hospitalizations and 12 deaths. The contaminated shakes, sold under […]
Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator Initiative to Drive Global Collaboration in Addressing AMR Challenges
The Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and Wellcome have launched the Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator (Gr-ADI), a $50 million initiative designed to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) caused by Gram-negative bacteria, which significantly contributes to global deaths, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, including infectious diseases and climate-related issues. AMR is a critical global health issue, […]
