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Researchers identify colistin-resistant bacteria in Brazilian rivers

A study of samples from two Brazilian rivers found a high incidence of colistin-resistant bacteria and MCR-1 producers, Brazilian and Portuguese researchers reported today in the Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance.

Those who believe in COVID-19 conspiracies may be at risk for depression

People who believe in conspiracies about the COVID-19 pandemic are at an increased risk of experiencing anxiety and depression, according to new research presented at the European Congress of Psychiatry and published in Frontiers in Psychiatry.

Electronic algorithms show promise for identifying antibiotic overuse

Electronic algorithms developed by an antibiotic stewardship team at the University of Pennsylvania were highly accurate in detecting inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for bronchitis and pharyngitis, scientists reported yesterday in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

COVID-19 quintupled in-hospital deaths in pregnant women in Africa

COVID-19 infection and pregnancy independently raised the risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, the need for supplemental oxygen, and death among hospitalized women in sub-Saharan Africa, finds a study published today in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Gender bias may affect acceptance of antibiotic stewardship efforts

A single-center study suggests gender bias may play a role in whether antibiotic stewardship recommendations by pharmacists are accepted by hospitalists, researchers reported yesterday in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.

PAHO issues alert on extremely drug-resistant Shigella

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) this week issued an alert on the potential emergence and spread of extremely drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella sonnei in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Risk of COVID-related syndrome lower in kids after breakthrough Omicron

The risk of COVID-19–related multisystem inflammatory system in children (MIS-C) was significantly lower among vaccinated versus unvaccinated Danish children after infection with the Omicron variant rather than with previous strains, according to a research letter published yesterday in JAMA Pediatrics.

Unvaccinated heart-failure patients at 3 times the risk for COVID-19 death

Unvaccinated heart-failure patients who contract COVID-19 are three times more likely to die of their infections than their vaccinated and boosted counterparts, concludes a study published yesterday in the Journal of Cardiac Failure.

Backyard poultry-linked Salmonella outbreaks sicken 219 in 38 states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday said it and health officials in multiple state are investigating Salmonella outbreaks tied to backyard poultry that have sickened 219 people, 1 fatally, in 38 states.

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

GARDP, Bugworks to collaborate on phase 1 trial for new antibiotic

The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) announced yesterday that it is collaborating with Indian biopharmaceutical company Bugworks on a phase 1 clinical trial to assess a new class of antibiotic compounds for multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Study ties rotavirus vaccination to fewer antibiotics for gastroenteritis

A study of data from insured US children found that rotavirus vaccination was associated with reduced antibiotic prescribing for acute gastroenteritis, researchers reported last week in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

Childcare-related work disruptions increased by a third during COVID-19

Work disruptions related to a lack of childcare in 2020 increased by one-third relative to before the pandemic—especially for caregivers of children with special healthcare needs, low-income families, and those from racial minority groups, estimates a study published today in JAMA Pediatrics.

Texting as effective as calling for encouraging COVID vaccine uptake

Automated text messages were as effective as direct phone calls in encouraging study participants to get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a JAMA Network Open study yesterday from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania,.

Data highlight greater impact of COVID-19 vs flu in young children

A study today in JAMA Network Open comparing COVID-19 versus flu in kids 5 years old and younger finds that the novel coronavirus led to twice the rate of admissions to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and rates of intubation one-third higher during the first 15 months of the pandemic.

Flu on the rise in some Southern Hemisphere regions, notably Australia

In a global flu update that covers the last half of May, the World Health Organization (WHO) said this week that overall activity has declined since a March peak, but levels are rising in some temperate Southern Hemisphere countries, including Australia.

Urgent care stewardship linked to fewer inappropriate antibiotics

Pediatric urgent care (UC) centers involved in a multisite quality improvement (QI) study saw significant reductions in inappropriate antibiotics for three target diagnoses, a team of US researchers reported yesterday in Pediatrics.

Africa sees significant jump in COVID-19 vaccination

Levels of COVID-19 vaccination in 31 African countries in the first 5 months of 2022 show a significant rise in COVID-19 immunization among high-risk groups, officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) African regional office said today at a briefing.

Strain of extensively drug-resistant gonorrhea identified in Austria

Researchers in Austria are reporting the identification of a second strain of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) gonorrhea.

Report spotlights impact of COVID-19 on adults with disabilities

Rates of COVID-19 hospitalization among adult Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities were almost 50% higher than rates among elderly beneficiaries with no disability, according to a study today in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

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

Strain of extensively drug-resistant gonorrhea identified in Austria

Researchers in Austria are reporting the identification of a second strain of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) gonorrhea.

Cascade reporting linked to drop in fluoroquinolone prescribing

A study conducted in a network of urgent care and express care clinics in Iowa found that implementation of cascade reporting was associated with a significant decline in fluoroquinolone prescribing, researchers reported today in Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology.

Kawasaki disease drop during pandemic leaves hints at possible triggers

Rates of Kawasaki disease, a rare acquired cardiac condition in kids, fell nationally during peak COVID-19 transmission when control measures were in place, potentially providing a clue that multiple triggers and upper airway inhalation might be involved.

New project to explore link between gender, antimicrobial resistance

Researchers in Africa and Asia have been selected to lead an upcoming research project that will explore the interconnections between antimicrobial resistance and gender.

UK expands monkeypox vaccination to more risk groups

The United Kingdom today expanded monkeypox vaccination to include men who have sex with men who are in high-risk groups, instead of just those who are known contacts and those at occupational risk.

WHO issues another dire antibiotic pipeline report

The World Health Organization (WHO) today released another disappointing report on the state of the antibiotic development pipeline.