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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.

Study: Early antivirals can cut the size of nursing home flu outbreaks

Starting antiviral treatment early may reduce the size of flu outbreaks in long-term care facilities, researchers from Taiwan reported today in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.

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.

Analysis: Reminders boost vaccination numbers

Reminding people when it's time to receive immunizations—through postcards, texts, and automated phone calls—can increase vaccination numbers, a team of Cochrane researchers reported today, based on an extensive review of 75 studies from 10 countries. Their findings appear in the Cochrane Library.

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."

HHS government shutdown plan would hamper flu, food safety responses

With the threat of a US federal government shutdown at midnight today because of expiring temporary appropriations and no Congressional passage of a continuing resolution to fund the government, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a staffing contingency plan.

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

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."

C diff prevention initiative helps reduce rates in VA facilities

A significant decrease in rates of clinically confirmed long-term care facility onset Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) at 132 Veteran's Affairs facilities coincided with implementation of a nationwide prevention initiative, researchers report in a new study in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

Study finds more evidence of impact of flu priming on vaccine protection

Adults born from 1958 to 1979 may have experienced a drop in protection against 2009 H1N1 during the 2015-16 flu season because of priming with other H1N1 viruses during their younger years, according to a group led by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Study finds reduced carbapenem consumption in French hospitals

Researchers in France report that a reduction in carbapenem consumption in French hospitals occurred after the release of national guidelines on carbapenem use in 2010, according to a study yesterday in Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control. They suggest that further carbapenem reduction could be linked to reduced use of fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs).

Recent MERS case-patient dies in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) said yesterday a woman from the village of Al Qaryat died from MERS-CoV.

The 60-year-old Saudi woman's MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) case was announced last week. Her infection source was listed as "primary," meaning it was unlikely she contracted the virus from another person.

Study of Taiwan seniors finds flu vaccine can cut TB risk

A large longitudinal study of an elderly population in Taiwan found that flu vaccination reduced the risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection by 18%. Earlier studies, including animal ones, have hinted that flu vaccination might protect against a range of pathogens, including TB, due to activation of T-cell mediated immunity. A team from Taiwan reported the findings yesterday in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Senate confirms Azar as new HHS secretary

The United States Senate today confirmed Alex Azar, a pharmaceutical executive, to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), according to media reports.

Officials in Pakistan announce world's first drug-resistant typhoid outbreak

In what is being called the world's first outbreak of drug-resistant typhoid, more than 100 children are sick and dozens have died in Hyderabad, Pakistan, the country's The News International reported yesterday.

CDC declares investigation into leafy green E coli outbreak over

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today said an Escherichia coli outbreak tied to leafy greens appears to be over after 25 cases in 15 states and 1 death.

UK health officials advise against antibiotics for acute sore throat

New guidance today from the United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Public Health England says general practitioners should not offer, and patients should not expect, antibiotics in most cases of acute sore throat.

Recent Saudi MERS cases widely distributed, some have camel and healthcare exposure

In a regular overview of recent MERS-CoV activity in Saudi Arabia, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today that between Dec 9, 2017, and Jan 17 the country reported 20 more cases, 8 of them fatal. Also, it reported a death in a patient covered in one of the WHO's earlier updates.

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

UK health officials advise against antibiotics for acute sore throat

New guidance today from the United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Public Health England says general practitioners should not offer, and patients should not expect, antibiotics in most cases of acute sore throat.

FDA approves oral vancomycin solution for C difficile diarrhea

CutisPharma today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Firvanq, the company's vancomycin oral solution for treating Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD) and enterocolitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains.

Five new cases of MERS reported in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) reported five new cases of MERS-CoV in updated reports released over the weekend.

H7 avian flu detected in pair of hunter-shot mallards in state of Georgia

Routine testing as part of avian influenza surveillance in wild birds found low levels of H7 RNA in two mallards shot in December by hunters in Georgia's McIntosh Country.

Saudi Arabia reports 1 new MERS case, death

Yesterday the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) reported a new case of MERS-CoV and announced the death of a previously reported MERS patient.

A 40-year-old Saudi woman from Riyadh is in stable condition after presenting with symptoms of MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus). The woman's source of infection is listed as "primary," meaning it's unlikely she contracted the disease from another person.

Georgia health officials investigate 3 MDR-TB cases

The Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) tuberculosis program is assisting with the investigation of two confirmed multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases in the northeastern part of the state, according to Nancy Nydam, a communications official with the GDPH.

CDC director steps down after report of tobacco stock purchases

Brenda Fitzgerald, MD, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), resigned today after a report that she bought tobacco stocks while leading the agency.

Anne Schuchat, MD, the CDC's principal deputy director who served as interim CDC director before Fitzgerald began her tenure last year, will resume that role, the Wall Street Journal and other news sources reported.