Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Study suggests shorter IV antibiotic durations for young infants with UTIs

A review and meta-analysis of studies on urinary tract infections (UTIs) in young infants suggests shorter intravenous (IV) antibiotic courses, with an early switch to oral antibiotics, should be considered, Australian researchers reported yesterday in Pediatrics.

Study: Mental health visits increased for physicians during pandemic

A new Canadian study shows visits for mental health and substance abuse problems by physicians increased 27% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is published in JAMA Network Open.

Third COVID vaccine boosts antibodies that neutralize Omicron

A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine successfully raises antibody levels that neutralize the Omicron variant, according to laboratory findings from UK scientists published yesterday in The Lancet.

Study finds no evidence of live virus in breast milk of moms with COVID-19

A small University of California study finds no evidence that breast milk from mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 transmits the virus to their babies.

The study, published today in Pediatrics Research, involved polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of 285 samples and viral culture of 160 samples of breast milk from 110 women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

US detects H5N1 avian flu in wild duck as Europe, Africa note more H5N1

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Jan 14 announced that highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza was detected in a wild wigeon in South Carolina, marking the first time the Eurasian strain of the virus has been detected in the United States since 2016.

The finding follows the recent detection of high-path H5N1 in wild birds and poultry in Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador region.

CRISPR-based E coli drug gets go-ahead for first human trial

Danish microbiome technology company SNIPR Biome ApS announced this week that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the company's application to initiate the first human clinical trial of its CRISPR-based drug for preventing Escherichia coli infections in cancer patients.

T cells induced by common colds help cross-protect against COVID-19

T cells induced by infection with coronaviruses such as those that cause the common cold might help protect against COVID-19, finds a small UK study today in Nature Communications.

US flu activity continues steady rise

For the week ending Jan 1, most US flu indicators rose, with the season still dominated by H3N2 and now affecting a range of age-groups and hitting the northeastern and central regions hardest, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its latest weekly update.

Preprint study shows significant vaccine efficacy waning in adolescents

Yesterday a new preprint study out of Israel showed the efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine waned in 12- to 17-year-olds in a similar pattern seen in adult recipients. Within 5 month after completing the initial two-dose vaccinations series, protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2 dropped to 58%. The study was published on the preprint server medRxiv.

Study finds measurable drop in lung volume after mild COVID infection

Nonhospitalized patients who recovered from asymptomatic to mild COVID-19 can experience small but measurable drops in dynamic lung volume, Danish researchers reported yesterday in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. They note that lower lung function, even within the normal ranges, is a risk factor for higher respiratory morbidity and mortality.