CDC: Injecting drug users 16 times more likely to contract MRSA
People who inject recreational drugs are 16.3 times more likely to develop invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections than people who do not inject drugs, according to data published today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR).
CDC scientists looked at MRSA in drug users from 2005 to 2016 to assess how and if the opioid epidemic has affected MRSA case counts. Using six surveillance sites across the country, the researchers calculated the risk ratio of MRSA among drug users.
During the study period, 39,050 invasive MRSA cases were reported from six sites, with 2,093 (5.4%) occurring in persons who injected drugs. The estimated rate of invasive MRSA among injected drug users older than 13 years was 472.2 per 100,000 in 2011, and the estimated rate among those who did not inject drugs in the previous year was 29.0 per 100,000.
In addition, the researchers found that invasive MRSA in injected drug users rose from 3.5% to 9.2% from 2010 to 2016.
"Although much attention has focused on the transmission of blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis B and C viruses related to injection drug use, infections from skin flora such as Staphylococcus aureus are also important and might not be prevented solely by programs focused on preventing blood-borne pathogen transmission," the CDC authors said. "Increases in nonsterile injection drug use are likely to result in increases in the occurrence of invasive MRSA infections among persons who inject drugs, underscoring the importance of public health measures to curb the opioid epidemic."
Jun 8 MMWR study
UK poultry industry has cut antibiotics 82% in 6 years, report says
The UK poultry sector has cut antibiotic use 39% from 2016 to 2017 and 82% over the past 6 years, according to a report this week from the British Poultry Council (BPC).
In addition to the overall reduction, the British poultry industry has slashed the use of fluoroquinolones (deemed critically important antibiotics [CIAs] in humans by the World Health Organization) by 91%, CIA macrolides by 76%, amoxicillin by 60%, and tetracyclines by 93%. In 2012, the poultry sector accounted for 21% of total antibiotic use for food-producing animals in Great Britain, but by 2016 the percentage had dropped to 9.7%.
The BPC also noted that the industry has stopped using antibiotics for growth promotion, as well as ceased using third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and polymyxins (colistin).
BPC Chairman John Reed said in a news release, "Through BPC Antibiotic Stewardship, the British poultry meat sector is delivering excellence in bird health and welfare by monitoring and reviewing on-farm management practices and ensuring responsible use of antibiotics throughout our supply chain. Our farmers and veterinarians need antibiotics in their toolbox to preserve the health and welfare of our birds. Responsible use of antibiotics is about so much more than reduction targets. Zero use is neither ethical nor sustainable."
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss, BVMS, MBA, said, "The achievements made by members of the BPC are remarkable. Continuously reviewing on-farm biosecurity and disease management practices whilst ensuring prudent use of antibiotics is integral to the sustainability of British agriculture."
Jun 4 BPC news release
Study reveals docs' openness, barriers to feedback on antibiotic use
A survey conducted by Vanderbilt researchers found that physicians treating inpatients are open to receiving information on their antibiotic prescribing patterns but are concerned about barriers to that reporting, according to a study today in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
The investigators surveyed 211 physicians in various specialties who provided inpatient care at Vanderbilt University Hospital. They found that 89% preferred that their own institutions determine provider use attribution as opposed to external personnel, 64% wanted to be compared with other providers within their service, 64% preferred quarterly feedback, and 73% wanted the feedback via email.
The study also found that providers agreed upon attribution of antimicrobial use early on in a hospital stay scenario but disagreed once care became more complex, with some deferring and others accepting responsibility. In general, they expressed concern that quantitative feedback would not account for the complexity of clinical care and severity of illness.
Overall, 51% of providers anticipated changing practice based on antibiotic use feedback.
"Data can help drive change, however in order to implement meaningful change, we must overcome barriers and use this data to improve the use of antibiotics," said lead author Tara Lines, PharmD, in a news release from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), which publishes the journal.
Jun 7 Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol abstract
Jun 7 SHEA news release
BARDA initiative to address systemic health concerns, including sepsis
The Department of Health and Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has launched DRIVe (Division of Research, Innovation and Ventures) to accelerate innovations for addressing systemic health concerns through an approach similar to that being taken for addressing man-made health threats, and one of its first focuses is sepsis, FierceHealthcare reports.
DRIVe will take advantage of powers granted to BARDA under the 21st Century Cures Act to fund innovation through grants and venture capital investment. It will also unite a network of accelerators to identify promising interventions, according to the story.
"It's now time to address those systemic problems, the ones common to most illnesses and injuries," said BARDA Director Rick Bright, PhD."Those need to be resolved to save even more lives. With DRIVe, we're focusing on solving sepsis in our lifetime. Too many lives are lost because of sepsis, and if a national health emergency arises, sepsis will surely take more."
DRIVe has already established eight partnerships with institutions across the United States.
Jun 5 FierceHealthcare story
DRIVe website
BARDA news releases page, which includes the 8 partnerships