We Need More Antimicrobial Researchers, Infectious Disease Clinicians
The number of researchers working on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has significantly declined over the past 20 years, according to the AMR Industry Alliance. By one metric, the total number of authors on all AMR publications has declined from a high of 3,599 in 1995 to 1,827 in 2020, alongside an overall decline in publications.1 It’s […]
Expanding Phage Diversity for One Health: Challenges and Opportunities
Hannah Pye, PhD Image credits: LinkedIn Recent research underscores the growing significance of bacteriophages (phages) in One Health, an integrated approach to human, animal, and environmental health. Phages, which target and kill bacteria, are being explored for their potential in biocontrol and as therapeutics for humans and animals. A review published in Essays in Biochemistry […]
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Emerging Challenges
Fungal biofilm-related diseases are becoming more common due to increased use of implanted medical devices, immunosuppressants, and an aging population. The WHO has classified many fungi as critical or high-priority organisms due to their ability to form biofilms. These biofilms, which consist of interconnected cells on surfaces like catheters or within sinuses, pose challenges in […]
bioMérieux receives FDA Clearance for its BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel Mid
French biotechnology company, bioMérieux, announced today the FDA cleared the its molecular test, the BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel Mid for use in diagnosing gastroenteritis. According to the company, this is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing solution, and can simultaneously detect 11 pathogens directly from stool samples of individuals presenting with signs and/or symptoms […]
Pneumococcal Vaccine Earns Positive Opinion from the European Union Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use
Heather Platt, MD Image credits: LinkedIn Merck’s Capvaxive (Pneumococcal 21-valent Conjugate Vaccine) has earned a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and pneumonia in adults aged 18 and older. The recommendation is based on extensive […]
Nevada Human Case, D11 Genotype in Dairy Cattle in the State
Colorized transmission electron micrograph of avian influenza A H5N1 virus particles (yellow/red), grown in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells. Microscopy by CDC; repositioned and recolored by NIAID. Image credit: CDC and NIAID The Central Nevada Health District has confirmed the state’s first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in an adult […]
Over 2 Million Items Recalled Amid Listeria and Salmonella Outbreaks
Donut from Dunkin’ Image credits: Unsplash The FDA has announced a Class II recall affecting 2,017,614 baked goods from FGF, LLC, a pastry wholesaler based in Brownsburg, IN. The recall, initiated due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, impacts 60 types of products, including plain cake donuts, chocolate cake donuts, apple fritters, yeast ring donuts, […]
Advancements in Targeted Therapies for Infectious Diseases
Image credit: Volodymyr Hryshchenko, Unsplash Infectious diseases remain a major global health threat, with bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolving resistance to conventional treatments. Antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals have saved millions of lives, but the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) demands precise, innovative, and highly targeted therapies.1 Instead of traditional broad-spectrum drugs, researchers are […]
Federal Government Changes May Influence Avian Influenza Surveillance and Disease Prevention
With the avian influenza circulating greatly in animals including birds, cattle, and cats, one of the bigger concerns around this is how severe and virulent the virus could become—if given the right settings and circumstances—and this goes from a mostly animal-to-animal transmission to zoonotic transmission to finally one that jumps from person-to person. “We’ve had […]
endTB Trial Paves Way for Shorter, Cheaper, and Safer Rifampin-Resistant TB Treatments
A phase 3 trial has shown that certain 9-month all-oral regimens are as effective as the standard 18-24 month treatment for fluoroquinolone-susceptible, rifampin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB). The trial’s primary endpoint was a favorable outcome at week 73, defined by negative sputum cultures or improvements in bacteriological, clinical, and radiological measures. The study found that four of […]
