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Concerning rise found in last-resort antibiotic use in European hospitals

A study of antibiotic consumption in European hospitals found increasing use of antibiotics reserved for the most difficult-to-treat infections, researchers reported yesterday in Eurosurveillance.

Our weekly wrap-up of antimicrobial stewardship & antimicrobial resistance scans

Concerning rise found in last-resort antibiotic use in European hospitals

A study of antibiotic consumption in European hospitals found increasing use of antibiotics reserved for the most difficult-to-treat infections, researchers reported yesterday in Eurosurveillance.

Study: Antimicrobial resistance rates rose in US hospitals during COVID-19

A new analysis of data on US hospital patients during the COVID-19 pandemic finds that patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 had a higher rate of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), researchers reported today in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

COVID-19 vaccines up protection from previous infection against Omicron

Previous non-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection was tied to a 44% lower risk of Omicron reinfection and 81% lower odds of related hospitalization, which was further improved by one, two, or three mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses (86%, 94%, and 97%, respectively), according to a study published late last week in JAMA Network Open.

New toolkit aims to improve ambulatory antibiotic prescribing

The US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) yesterday released a new toolkit to help hospitals improve antibiotic use in ambulatory care.

Study: Early state lockdowns not tied to worse mental health

New research from the American Psychological Association (APA) shows that various state restrictions and lockdowns imposed during the first 6 months of the pandemic were not related to worsening mental health. The study is published in Health Psychology.

Prolonged COVID test positivity in symptomatic, Omicron BA.2 infections

Among a group of vaccinated college athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 and underwent rapid antigen testing 7 days later, 27% were still positive—a proportion that climbed to 35% in symptomatic athletes and 40% in those infected with the Omicron BA.2 subvariant.

ACIP adds COVID vaccine to pediatric immunization schedule

The vaccine advisory group for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today approved changes to the child and adolescent immunization schedule, which adds COVID-19 vaccine to the recommended immunizations. The recommendation by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) passed on a unanimous 15-to-0 vote.

More stewardship needed for postoperative antibiotics in kids, study finds

A multicenter observational study found that the use of antibiotics after nonemergent surgery in children varied widely across US hospitals but was not correlated with skin site infection (SSI) in children, US researchers reported yesterday in JAMA Surgery.

Survey: A third of US military find exercise difficult 1 month post-COVID

A third of US active-duty military service members who tested positive for COVID-19 reported new-onset or more difficulty with exercise and daily activities 1 month after diagnosis, but these symptoms diminished to pre-infection levels after 6 to 9 months, according to research presented at this week's Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) ID Week in Washington, DC.

Microbiome drug for recurrent C difficile shows durable response

A secondary analysis of results from a phase 3 trial shows that an investigative microbiome therapeutic reduced rates of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) through 24 weeks and was well-tolerated, researchers reported this week in JAMA.

Symptoms after COVID vaccination tied to greater antibody response

A study published late last week in JAMA Network Open links systemic symptoms—those that affect the entire body—after receipt of two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with stronger SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses than in vaccinees with no or localized symptoms.

CDC confirms variant flu case in Michigan agricultural fair attendee

Late last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a further rise in US flu activity, particularly in the southeast and south central regions, along with another variant H3N2 (H3N2v) flu case, this time in a Michigan resident who had indirect exposure to swine at an agricultural fair.

Highest-density US metro areas had higher COVID-19 death rate in 2020

Age-adjusted US COVID-19 death rates in 2020 were 30% higher in large, central metropolitan areas than in medium-sized cities, finds a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analysis.

RSV infections, hospitalizations soaring across US

The United States is seeing unseasonably high levels of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases among children, causing overflowing admissions at pediatric hospitals in several parts of the country.

Flu contributing to inappropriate antibiotics for respiratory infections

An analysis of patients in a California health system found relatively high rates of flu-associated prescribing of select antibiotics in certain age-groups, researchers reported today in Epidemiology & Infection.

Uganda's widening Ebola outbreak tops 100 cases; more deaths reported

Uganda's health ministry today reported 14 more lab-confirmed Ebola cases, pushing the outbreak total to 109. Health officials also reported 2 more deaths, raising the total to 30. Earlier in the outbreak before the first cases were confirmed, the ministry reported 20 suspected cases, all of them fatal.

Humans transmit SARS-CoV-2 to their pets, household study finds

Among a sample of 107 households with pets and at least one COVID-19–infected adult in Idaho and Washington state, 21% of dogs and 39% of cats had signs of infection, 40% of dogs and 43% of cats had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and 5% and 8%, respectively, tested positive on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, finds a new study in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

CDC emphasizes testing, treating monkeypox in pregnancy

Today during a Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity call, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children who have been exposed to monkeypox be tested promptly if they show symptoms.

Poor outcomes seen in those with resistant E coli bloodstream infections

An analysis of patients with Escherichia coli bloodstream infections (BSIs) found notably poorer outcomes in those with ceftriaxone-resistant infections, US researchers reported yesterday in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

Study: 30% of COVID patients had rebound after 2 days without symptoms

Nearly one third of 158 untreated COVID-19 patients experienced symptom rebound after being symptom-free for at least 2 consecutive days, finds a study of US adults published yesterday in JAMA Network Open.

Our weekly wrap-up of antimicrobial stewardship & antimicrobial resistance scans

First-dose COVID vaccine coverage was higher in states with mandates

First-dose COVID-19 vaccine uptake was higher in US states with worker vaccine mandates, suggesting that the requirements may have motivated even residents not covered to comply, concludes a study published late last week in JAMA Health Forum.

Report highlights animal transport as risk for spread of resistant bacteria

A report last week from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) suggests steps could be taken to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food-producing animals during transportation.

State Republican majority tied to higher COVID death rates after vaccine rollout

After the COVID-19 vaccine rollout to adults, Americans living in states with Republican-controlled governments were at an 11% higher risk of COVID-19 death than those in Democrat-led states, and residents of right-leaning states had a 26% higher death rate than those in states with a left-leaning voter majority.