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Texas data reveal 8% rate of Zika-linked birth defects

Data on infants born to women suspected of having a Zika virus infection in Texas show higher-than-average rates of birth defects and suboptimal levels of testing, according to a report today in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

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

Researchers develop a rapid test for antibiotic susceptibility

Originally published by CIDRAP News Aug 10

A team of researchers in Sweden have developed a test that can determine antibiotic susceptibility in less than 30 minutes, according to a new study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

New MERS case reported in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) reported a new case of MERS-CoV over the weekend.

The 89-year-old Saudi man from Baljurashi in the southwestern part of the country is in stable condition after being diagnosed as having MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus). The source of his infection is listed as "primary," meaning it's unlikely he contracted the disease from another person.

Canadian patient identified with rare ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhea

Canadian researchers have identified a ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhea isolate in a Canadian patient, according to a new report in Emerging Infectious Diseases. It's one of only a handful of ceftriaxone-resistant N gonorrhea isolates reported worldwide.

Hong Kong launches antibiotic stewardship efforts

Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) this week launched an Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP) in Primary Care and hospital guidelines on multidisciplinary prescribing as two key steps in rolling out the Hong Kong Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

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

Hong Kong launches antibiotic stewardship efforts

Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) this week launched an Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP) in Primary Care and hospital guidelines on multidisciplinary prescribing as two key steps in rolling out the Hong Kong Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

US cases of Candida auris continue to climb

The number of reported Candida auris infections in the United States has risen to 157, according to the most recent case count from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Hospital stewardship tied to some Clostridium difficile reductions

Implementing an antimicrobial stewardship program was associated with lower use of antimicrobials deemed high risk and some reduction in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), according to a single-center study yesterday in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

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

Hospital stewardship tied to some Clostridium difficile reductions

Originally published by CIDRAP News Nov 22

Activated charcoal may help protect gut microbiome from antibiotics

The results of a small phase 1 clinical trial show that an activated charcoal product helped protect the gut microbiome in volunteers treated with moxifloxacin, French researchers report in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Antibiotics given to moms during labor might affect babies' microbiomes

Antibiotics administered to mothers during labor to prevent group B Streptococcus infections appear to alter the gut microbiome of newborns, according to a small study yesterday in Scientific Reports.

The effects appeared to resolve within 12 weeks.

Updated molecular TB test found to be more sensitive, less specific

An international team of researchers has found that a re-engineered rapid molecular test for detection of tuberculosis (TB) is more sensitive than the current test but less specific, according to a study yesterday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

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

Updated molecular TB test found to be more sensitive, less specific

An international team of researchers has found that a re-engineered rapid molecular test for detection of tuberculosis (TB) is more sensitive than the current test but less specific, according to a study yesterday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

China reports infections from H7N9, H9N2 avian flu viruses

China has detected two new human avian influenza cases, one involving an adult sickened by H7N9 and the other a young child infected with H9N2, according to government reports in the region.

Inappropriate antibiotics shown costly for Enterobacteriaceae infections

Editors note: This scan was update Dec 7 to note the funding source for the study.

A nationwide study of US patients with Enterobacteriaceae infections suggests that inappropriate empiric therapy (IET) is associated with higher 30-day readmission rates and is costlier than adequate treatment.

Study highlights limits of mandated MRSA surveillance

A 2007 state law in Illinois mandating active surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients failed to reduce MRSA prevalence, according to a study yesterday in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Study highlights limits of mandated MRSA surveillance

A 2007 state law in Illinois mandating active surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients failed to reduce MRSA prevalence, according to a study yesterday in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Interventions to reduce overtreatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria noted

A paper today in JAMA Internal Medicine proposes an evidence-based implementation guide to help reduce inappropriate treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB).

Clinicians call for more inclusive trials for new antibiotics

A letter today in the Journal of Infectious Diseases argues for relaxed criteria for patient exclusion in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for new drugs to treat multidrug-resistant infections.

More cases of puppy-linked Campylobacter reported in several states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in an update on an ongoing outbreak of multi-drug resistant Campylobacter infections linked to puppies sold in pet shops today, confirmed 30 new cases reported since the last outbreak update published on Oct 30.

Study: No benefit from adding rifampicin to S aureus bacteremia treatment

The results of a large randomized trial show that adjunctive rifampicin provided no overall benefit over standard antibiotic therapy in adults with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, UK researchers reported yesterday in The Lancet.

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

Study: No benefit from adding rifampicin to S aureus bacteremia treatment

The results of a large randomized trial show that adjunctive rifampicin provided no overall benefit over standard antibiotic therapy in adults with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, UK researchers reported yesterday in The Lancet.

More Candida auris infections recorded in US

According to an updated case count from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are now 174 cases of Candida auris infections in the United States, 17 more than the CDC reported last month.

Nigeria monkeypox outbreak grows to 61 confirmed cases

According to an updated situation report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), there are now 61 monkeypox cases in that country, 5 more than last month. This is Africa's largest-ever monkeypox outbreak.

Study finds long-term success for fecal transplant to treat C difficile

A study yesterday in Clinical Infectious Diseases reports high long-term success rates of fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) against recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).

Emory University researchers contacted all eligible patients who received FMT for recurrent CDI from Jul 1, 2012, to Dec 31, 2016. Of 190 eligible patients, 137 (72%) completed the telephone survey.