Invivyd Tracks SARS-CoV-2 Evolution, Prepares for Future Variants
Invivyd, Inc announced that its pipeline candidate, VYD2311, demonstrated promising neutralizing activity against the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant XEC. This result aligns with earlier findings for the variant KP.3.1.1, further supporting the effectiveness of Invivyd’s monoclonal antibodies, including PEMGARDA™ (pemivibart). Both antibodies are designed to provide long-term protection against SARS-CoV-2 despite viral mutations. Invivyd has submitted […]
Levofloxacin Protects TB Contacts in Meta-Analysis but not RCTs
Image credit: Anna Shvets An extended course of daily levofloxacin was found effective in preventing household contacts of persons with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) from developing the disease, in a meta-analysis of a controlled trial with adults and another with children.1-3 The statistically significant separation from placebo in the meta-analysis did not occur, however, in the […]
Advances in Mini Gut Organoid Models Reveal Key Insights into Norovirus Replication
A recent study published in the Journal of Virology suggests that 2′-fucosyllactose (2′FL), a sugar found in human breast milk, may provide a new treatment for human norovirus (HuNoV), a leading cause of gastroenteritis. The study focused on the GII.4 Sydney [P16] strain of HuNoV and found that 2′FL could block the virus from entering […]
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 […]
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 […]
European Commission Authorizes ViiV Healthcare’s Long-Acting Injectable for Teens
Image credit: ViiV Healthcare On January 31, the European Commission authorized ViiV Healthcare’s cabotegravir (Vocabria), long-acting injection, in combination with Johnson & Johnson’s rilpivirine (Rekambys),long-acting injections for the treatment of HIV in teens 12 years of age and older and weighing at least 35 kg (77.16 lbs) who are virologically suppressed.1 “This authorization for Vocabria + Rekambys is an […]
Top 5 Infectious Disease News Stories Week of January 25-February 1
State of Kansas Reports Country’s Largest Tuberculosis Outbreak A tuberculosis (TB) outbreak is currently affecting Wyandotte and Johnson counties in Kansas, with 60 active cases in Wyandotte County and 7 in Johnson County as of January 24. Additionally, 77 latent TB infections have been reported in Wyandotte County and 2 in Johnson County since 2024. […]
Shionogi Investigational RSV Antiviral Reaches Primary Endpoint for Phase 2 Trial
Yesterday, Shionogi, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, announced its novel investigational respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) oral antiviral candidate, S-337395, achieved its primary endpoint in a phase 2 clinical trial. In the highest dose group of S-337395, there was an 88.94% reduction in viral load (P<0.0001), and also a statistically significant improvement in clinical symptom scores.1 Trial […]
