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Study finds MRSA, VRE co-colonization is common in nursing homes

A study by researchers from the University of Michigan has found frequent co-colonization of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among patients in nursing facilities.

Review: No support for use of postoperative antibiotics after rhinoplasty

A systematic review and meta-analysis published today in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery suggests there's no evidence to support routine use of postoperative antibiotics after rhinoplasty procedures.

Canadian study finds increase in ICU superbugs

An analysis of more than 8,000 isolates from Canadian intensive care units (ICUs) over 10 years shows a significant increase in the prevalence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, researchers from the University of Manitoba reported yesterday in the Journal of Antibacterial Chemotherapy.

Canadian study finds increase in ICU superbugs

An analysis of more than 8,000 isolates from Canadian intensive care units (ICUs) over 10 years shows a significant increase in the prevalence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, researchers from the University of Manitoba reported yesterday in the Journal of Antibacterial Chemoth

Procalcitonin-guided therapy reduces antibiotic duration, study finds

The use of an algorithm that recommends stopping antibiotics for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) based on procalcitonin (PCT) levels was associated with reduced antibiotic duration without increasing adverse outcomes, researchers at an academic tertiary care hospital report today in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

Gonorrhea in Europe becoming less susceptible to ceftriaxone

Annual sentinel surveillance of Neisseria gonorrhea isolates in 25 European countries has found decreasing susceptibility to ceftriaxone, according to a study yesterday in BMC Infectious Diseases.

Severe MRSA ST398 infections reported in China, Australia

Two articles yesterday in Emerging Infectious Diseases describe severe infections caused by highly virulent strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sequence type (ST) 398, a clonal type that is usually associated with animals.

Nine more cases reported in romaine-linked E coli outbreak, 52 total

In new romaine-linked Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak developments, federal health officials yesterday reported nine more illnesses and said trace-back investigations are focusing on 12 growers.

Costco commits to responsible antibiotic use in meat, poultry supply chain

Costco today updated its animal welfare standards to include a policy on the responsible use of antibiotics in its meat and poultry supply chains, according to shareholder advocacy group As You Sow.

Study: Intervention reduces unnecessary antibiotic use for pneumonia

A new study by researchers with a health system in Detroit indicates that a small, behavioral "nudge" in microbiology reporting increased de-escalation and discontinuation of unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotics in pneumonia patients. The results were reported in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

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

Study: Intervention reduces unnecessary antibiotic use for pneumonia

Originally published by CIDRAP News Jul 12

Meta-analysis suggests fidaxomicin is most effective C diff treatment

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examining antibiotic therapy for non-recurrent Clostridium difficile infections has found that fidaxomicin provides a sustained symptomatic cure most frequently, researchers reported yesterday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

New UK program targets farmers', veterinarians' antibiotic use

The United Kingdom's National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) launched a new best practices program meant to guide the responsible use of antibiotics among farmers and veterinarians. The program, which includes online training modules, is aimed at all those working in the sheep, dairy, beef, and pig sectors.

VRE outbreak identified in Swiss hospitals

Swiss researchers have identified a large outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) clone ST796 across multiple hospitals in Switzerland, according to a report today in Eurosurveillance.

Study: Intervention improves intraoperative antibiotic redosing

A multipronged project to improve intraoperative antibiotic redosing led to dramatic and sustained improvements in antibiotic redosing rates at an Iowa hospital, according to a new study in the American Journal of Infection Control.

Report: US seeking weaker global guidelines for antibiotic use in livestock

The Trump administration is working behind the scenes to weaken global recommendations on antibiotic use in food-producing animals, according to a story yesterday in Bloomberg.

Study finds very low levels of antibiotics in leeches lead to resistance

Very low levels of antibiotics in the gut of leeches used in medicine are enough to promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria—and exposure to the leeches led to resistant infections in plastic surgery patients—an international group of researchers reported yesterday in mBio.

Carbapenem use identified as risk factor for colistin-resistant bacteria

In a paper today in Eurosurveillance, Swiss researchers report that prior exposure to carbapenems was the only risk factor for colonization or infection in patients with colistin-resistant Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Iowa State to host new antimicrobial resistance research center

Iowa State University will lead a new research institute to address antimicrobial resistance, with partners including the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), two other universities, and the Mayo Clinic, Iowa State said in a news release yesterday.

Iowa State to host new antimicrobial resistance research center

Iowa State University will lead a new research institute to address antimicrobial resistance, with partners including the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), two other universities, and the Mayo Clinic, Iowa State said in a news release yesterday.

Antibiotic use in UK poultry, pigs, and gamebirds on the decline

A new interim report shows the UK livestock industry is making progress toward 2020 antibiotic targets.

Study: Long-term risk of infection, death in patients harboring MDR bacteria

Harboring multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDRGNB) significantly increases patients' long-term risk for subsequent MDRGNB infection and mortality after hospital discharge, Taiwanese researchers report today in Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control.

Survey: Most infection specialists don't recommend short antibiotic course

Most infection specialists currently do not advise the shortest possible duration of antibiotic therapy to prescribers, but nearly half are willing to shorten the duration most of the time, a French-led team of researchers reported yesterday in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

Spanish clinicians report successful ICU stewardship program

An antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) in an intensive care unit (ICU) in a Spanish hospital was associated with a 22% drop in antimicrobial doses, according to a new study in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

World Economic Forum report assesses global risk of antibiotic resistance

The World Economic Forum's 2018 Global Risks Report, released this week, includes a section on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), noting that while initiatives to address antibiotic overuse and the lack of new antibiotics have been launched, concrete successes "remain elusive."