Top 5 Infectious Disease News Stories Week of February 1-8
Children with Invasive Candidiasis Do Well After Switching IV Antifungal to Enteral A study on children with invasive candidiasis found that transitioning from intravenous (IV) antifungal treatment to enteral therapy was as effective as completing the full IV course, with 99% of those who transitioned having successful treatment outcomes. The shift to enteral therapy reduced […]
FDA Advises Restaurants and Retailers Not to Serve or Sell Certain Oysters
The FDA has issued an advisory for both restaurants and retailers to not sell or serve or sell a specific oyster harvest as they may be contaminated with norovirus. The oysters in questions were harvested from Louisiana Area 3 from 1/10/2025 through 2/4/2025. The oysters were shipped to distributors and retailers in AL, FL, LA, MD, […]
FDA Approves Aztreonam and Avibactam for Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections
The FDA has approved aztreonam and avibactam (Emblaveo) as the first and only fixed-dose, intravenous, monobactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination antibiotic. It is approved in combination with metronidazole, for patients 18 years and older who have limited or no alternative options for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI). This includes the following Gram-negative pathogens: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella […]
Study Links Genetic Variations in Cryptococcus neoformans to Disease Outcomes
A study has uncovered insights into how genetic variations within Cryptococcus neoformans, the pathogen responsible for cryptococcal meningitis, affect patient outcomes. The research focuses on the sequence type 93 (ST93) clade, which includes two subpopulations: ST93A and ST93B. The findings show how genetic differences between these subpopulations influence virulence and immune system interactions. The study […]
American Public Health Association’s Opposition to RFK Jr’s HHS Nomination
This is the third in a series around the intersection of government and public health and how the former can affect the latter. Back on November 18, and shortly after the presidential election, the American Public Health Association (APHA) released a statement opposing the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr for Health and Human Services […]
New Virus Discovery Highlights Zoonotic Risks in North America
A Shrew. Image credits: Unsplash A study conducted by researchers from Auburn University, University of Queensland, and University of Rochester has discovered a novel henipavirus in northern short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda) in Alabama, US. This discovery, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, indicates the presence of henipavirus in North America, with potential zoonotic implications.1 The research […]
Health Equity is Essential to Overcoming Antimicrobial Resistance
Jacinda C. Abdul-Mutakabbir PharmD, MPH Image credit: UCSD Globally, it is estimated that over 1 million individuals die each year from antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections.1 This number is projected to exceed 10 million deaths over the next 25 years. This alarming reality demands our immediate attention, and we must consider several important factors. First, AMR is […]
Novavax Seeks Full FDA Approval for COVID-19 Vaccine
In our recent interview with Novavax’s Chief Medical Officer, Robert Walker, MD, he discussed the company’s progress in obtaining full licensure for their COVID-19 vaccine. He said, “We’ve submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the FDA to seek full licensure for our vaccine, which is currently available under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The PDUFA […]
Early Intervention with Tenofovir Alafenamide Reduces Risk of Adverse Effects in Hepatitis B Patients
Image credit: Julien Tromeur, Unsplash Tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy) was shown to reduce the risk of serious liver-related events in adults with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and moderate or high viraemia compared to an observational group not taking the antiviral, according to a new study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 1 “At a median […]
New Meta-Analysis Highlights Most Effective Treatments for Clostridioides difficile Infection
A recent systematic review and network meta-analysis has examined the effectiveness of various treatments for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), a major cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea with significant morbidity and mortality. The study, led by researcher Dániel Steve Bednárik, consultant physcian and gastroenterologist, and his team, analyzed 73 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating 28 different CDI […]
