CACTUS Study Compares Ceftolozane-Tazobactam vs. Ceftazidime-Avibactam for MDR Pseudomonas
A newly published study, the CACTUS Study, compares the effectiveness of ceftolozane-tazobactam (CT) and ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) in treating multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. The findings show that CT and CZA have similar clinical outcomes: 62% of CT-treated patients achieved clinical success, compared to 55% of CZA-treated patients. The overall 30-day mortality rates were also similar: […]
The First Severe Case of Avian Influenza Confirmed in the United States
The CDC has confirmed the first severe human case of avian influenza (H5N1) in the US, involving a patient from Louisiana with a history of exposure to backyard poultry. This follows global patterns of severe illness associated with poultry contact. The patient is the first such case in the US to be severe enough for […]
Should Clinicians Consider Off Label COVID Therapies?
During the earliest stages of the pandemic, and before the development of antivirals and other therapies, clinicians were struggling to find ways to treat their patients. As providers began to use off-label treatments, small studies began to surface around various therapies including hydroxychloroquine, the antimalarial therapy, and the antibiotic, azithromycin. One published paper found these […]
Reducing Hepatitis C at a Profit
Hepatitis C Virus Infection Image credits: Unsplash A recent study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal evaluates the cost-benefit analysis of Canada’s Prison Needle Exchange Program (PNEP), showing that investment in the program can yield public health benefits. The analysis finds that PNEPs reduce hepatitis C and injection-related infections, with each dollar invested saving $2 […]
California Governor Newsom Takes Action on Avian Flu with State of Emergency Declaration
CDC graphic of possible bird flu transmission. Image credits: CDC California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency today in response to the escalating bird flu outbreak in the state. The proclamation follows the detection of additional bird flu cases in Southern California dairy cows. While the risk to the public remains low, the […]
Severe Malaria Identified as Cause of Outbreak in DRC’s Kwango Province
The Southwestern Kwango Province is outlined in red. Image credits: Google Maps The health ministry of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has confirmed that a mysterious illness in the southwestern Kwango province is a severe form of malaria, with 143 deaths reported so far. The outbreak, which began in late October in the Panzi […]
While Hospital-Acquired C difficile Cases Have Decreased, Community-Acquired Cases Have Risen
In the final part of our interview with Joseph Zackular, PhD we focused on the decline of hospital-onset C difficile infections, which has been attributed to improved infection control measures, and the potential for a new vaccine. The vaccine platform, currently in pre-clinical trials, aims to tackle C difficile’s complexity with mRNA technology, offering promising […]
Ethical and Innovative Use of AI in Infectious Disease
Image Credit: National Cancer Institute The buzz around AI in the medical industry is impossible to ignore. As service providers and biotech partners race to claim they can harness AI and real-world data (RWD) to tackle challenges like streamlining clinical trial enrollment, a pressing question emerges: How can we separate the genuine game-changers from the […]
Peer-Assisted Telemedicine Enables More People With Hepatitis C to Get into the Continuum of Care
Andrew Seaman, MD Image Credit: Oregon Health & Science University The incidence rates for hepatitis C has increased significantly in rural areas across the US. One study pointed out that the number of cases had more than double in rural areas vs urban areas.1 This increase has also been linked to injection drug use with […]
Prenatal Antibiotic Exposure Linked to Potential Long-Term Health Risks in Children
A pregnant lady taking an antibiotic. Image credits: Unsplash A recent systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that prenatal antibiotic exposure may be associated with a range of long-term health issues in children, including asthma, food allergies, obesity, cerebral palsy, and even cancer. The study, published last week in The Journal of Infection, underscores the need […]
