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Two new MERS patients in critical condition

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) reported two new cases of MERS-CoV today in men from Buraydah, a city in the central part of the country.

Both men are Saudi nationals and described as having primary exposure to MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus), meaning they did not contract the virus from someone else. One man is 94 years old, and the other 61. Both remain in critical condition.

Study finds antibiotic-rich wastewater affects bacterial diversity

A study of a plant that treats wastewater from bulk drug production facilities in India suggests that the high levels of antibiotics present in the water affect microbial diversity and may play a role in spreading antimicrobial resistance.

Study finds antibiotic-rich wastewater affects bacterial diversity

Originally published by CIDRAP News on Nov 4.

A study of a plant that treats wastewater from bulk drug production facilities in India suggests that the high levels of antibiotics present in the water affect microbial diversity and may play a role in spreading antimicrobial resistance.

Among more reports of H5N8 in Europe, FAO issues warning

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) issued a report on the smattering of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) cases in Hungary and India reported last week. They said the cases are likely from the Tyva 2016 strain first reported in Russia in September, and predicted the strain will pose a risk to Europe and the Middle East through March of 2017.

Studies identify genetic markers for drug-resistant malaria

Two papers published last week in The Lancet Infectious Diseases describe the identification of molecular markers associated with drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

FDA advisory panel recommends new antibiotic for approval

An advisory panel to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted on Nov 3 to recommend a new antibiotic to treat community-acquired pneumonia (CABP), despite concerns over liver toxicity.

Essential medicine cost feasible for low- and middle-income countries

Yesterday The Lancet released their Commission on Essential Medicines Policies report, which focuses on how to pay for essential medicines in nations with varying income levels. Included in the report is the first model for estimating the cost of providing essential medicines in the poorest nations.

Study finds plasmids can accelerate evolution of antibiotic resistance

A study published Monday in Nature Ecology and Evolution suggests plasmids may play more of a role in spreading and facilitating antibiotic resistance than previously thought.

How monitoring resistance gene frequency can help combat AMR

A paper published yesterday in Open Biology argues that monitoring resistance gene frequency might be a better way to track and combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and could enable swifter, more accurate treatment of patients with bacterial infections.

Reduced vaccine strain fitness suspected in FluMist protection problems

Medimmune scientists have been investigating what's behind the decreased FluMist effectiveness that prompted US vaccine advisors to recommend against it this year, and today they reported that reduced fitness of H1N1 vaccine virus strains are the likely culprit.

H7N9 avian flu sickens two in China

China is reporting two new H7N9 avian influenza infections, the first since July. The new cases potentially mark the start of the fifth wave of infections.

More animal trial results for Zika vaccine, Florida's local cases grow

Researchers from the Wistar Institute and the Public Health Agency of Canada yesterday reported promising findings in mice and nonhuman primates for a DNA-based Zika vaccine developed by Inovio, GeneOne Life Sciences, and academic institutions.

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

How monitoring resistance gene frequency can help combat AMR

Originally published by CIDRAP News on Nov 10.

Study confirms mosquito capacity to transmit Zika, chikungunya at same time

New experiments suggest that mosquitoes can infect humans with Zika and chikungunya viruses in a single bite, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).

More MERS in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health (MOH) reported two new cases of MERS-CoV today and over the weekend.

On Nov 12, the MOH said a 51-year-old Saudi man from Tabuk was diagnosed as having Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). He is currently in critical condition. Health officials said the man had direct contact with camels, a known risk factor for MERS.

Groups unveil new leishmaniasis treatment guidance  

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) released new guidelines for treating leishmaniasis, a parasite transmitted through bites from sand flies and on the rise in American tourists and military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Study: Discontinuing contact precautions did not lead to CDI outbreaks

A study yesterday in Clinical Infectious Diseases suggests that contact isolation may not be necessary to prevent outbreaks of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in hospitals.

Vitamin D tied to lower respiratory illness rate in older patients

High doses of vitamin D were associated with a reduced incidence of acute respiratory illness (ARI) by 40% in elderly, long-term–care residents, according to a study today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Positive test at Hong Kong poultry market prompts poultry sale suspension

Hong Kong officials yesterday suspended live-poultry trading after a routine surveillance test detected H7N9 avian flu in droppings from poultry at a market stall, according to a government announcement yesterday.

WHO Zika emergency committee to meet June 14

The World Health Organization (WHO) said today that its Zika emergency committee will meet for the third time on Jun 14, according to a notice e-mailed to journalists. It said experts will review the implementation and impact of the recommendations it made as part of their declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Data from primary care facilities showed that antibiotic prescriptions for COVID-19 were clustered among a small proportion of clinics.

Patient interviews suggest ground beef bought from the same grocery chain, and an investigation into the source is underway.

In the small phase 1 study, children received a single dose of the live attenuated nasal vaccine.

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

Good news about UK 'super gonorrhea' case—but 2 new infections noted

UK officials today report good news on the outcome of the man treated for a highly resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, but they also note two similar cases in Australia.

Global hospital survey highlights antibiotic Rx, high guideline compliance

The first data published by the Global Point Prevalence Survey reveal that penicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors, third-generation cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics, and guideline compliance was 77.4%. The data, from 2015, were published Apr 19 in The Lancet Global Health.